The Design Gallery
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Chatter
on “Spiral Collar”:“I love the earrings! The collar is worthy of RBG.…” read »
- on “Gingko Dream”:
“Looking through your designs for way back. What fun I'm having. I love the…” read »
on “My tree 2022”:“Isn't it so fun to create tree ornaments? Luckily I only have a 4…” read »
on “Newest Earrings”:“Cute earrings! The second pair is intriguing!! Hazen is cute and lucky to have…” read »
on “My tree 2022”:“Wow. You really went all out. Lots of work but such a beautiful tree.…” read »
on “Boney James”:“Beautiful design with the lamp-lit beads. I've been lurking on this site admiring everyone's work for…” read »
on “Newest Earrings”:“These are so pretty. That 2nd pair really intrigues me. Hazen is such a cutie.…” read »
on “Newest Earrings”:“I love the color combinations. The cute little millefiori sliced canes set off the teardrops nicely.…” read »
on “Mixed Media”:“This is beautiful and classic, a great design. I love Deco and this looks like it…” read »
- on “Boney James”:
“You guys are all so awesome. Romeo's new sweater just arrived. It's slightly big in the…” read »
on “Boney James”:“K. you have enough love and caring in you to help Romeo recover. Don't ever…” read »
on “Boney James”:“K, playing music, especially the soft relaxing kind like Boney should instantly calm his mind &…” read »
on “Holiday Hoops”:“marshplm, maybe you can purchased some of the 4mm beads in rounds & heishis…” read »
on “Boney James”:“Wow. Romeo is warming up to you fast! Too bad he can't dance. Ha.…” read »
on “Boney James”:“Forgot to add I really like your necklace...very appealing to me.…” read »
on “Boney James”:“K. Ralston...you are a wonderful dog mama and Romeo was fortunate to have found you .…” read »
on “Holiday Hoops”:“I loved how these looked on the site but I think the 7x5mm gold rice bead…” read »
on “Boney James”:“Good morning ladies. I thought if no one had seen this yet, I would take it…” read »
- on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:
“Thanks again you all for your support!! I have some Millefiori flowers coming today....which I…” read »
on “Boney James”:“I agree with Melody about the lighted beads. So lovely. I'm sure Romeo will find peace…” read »
- on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:
“Beautiful Jane. Love the chips and your charms are always right on.…” read »
on “Boney James”:“Those beads seem to glow, like they have light within. We know you have light…” read »
- on “Boney James”:
“It's been a tough day. Despite the fact that the people who live where Romeo hung…” read »
- on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:
“Oh, this is just lovely Sweetjane. At first glance I thought it was aquamarine, my birthstone…” read »
- on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:
“I love the way you have the Crystal charms above the heart. I guess a…” read »
on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:“Jane, that does sound like fun-- I can't wait to see what you make with the…” read »
on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:“Thanks you all!! Yes Crystal it's always exciting to get new stuff I have spent way…” read »
- on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:
“Beautifully soft colors that look so pretty with the heart, lock & key. The Swarovski…” read »
- on “Still More of Nancy's Beads”:
“Beautiful! It makes a wonderful piece to wear any time of the year!…” read »
- on “Black Tie Event”:
“Wow--marvelous use of the Ammonite coins!
…” read » - on “Blue Abyss Earrings”:
“Beautiful design and choice of materials!…” read »
on “Wedding Comb”:“It is beautiful! Would like to see some instructions.…” read »
on “Buttefly sun catcher”:“I ❤ suncatchers! This is absolutely beautiful!…” read »
on “Black Tie Event”:“I love how you used those beautiful ammonite beads. I can see that showcased with…” read »
on “Turquoise pendant”:“Oh my! Your wire work is stunning! You did amazing on this piece!…” read »
- on “Dread Wrap”:
“I haven't heard of that either, but your design is stunning! I am wanting to make…” read »
- on “My Favorite Colors”:
“Crystal....I had to look back...but these are vintage Lucite.…” read »
- on “Precious Metal Clay 2”:
“Gorgeous!…” read »
- on “Don’t make this mistake”:
“I think your oops! are beautiful!…” read »
Whimsy Bird Earrings
About this design:
These earrings are part of a series of earrings I have put together called "Non-Identical Twins". In this series, I explore how to make earrings match or go together without having to be identical. The birds in these earrings are captured in different moments within their day. One earring shows the bird dancing on the branch, while the other shows the bird sitting on her nest. Each earring dances on the ear with little surprises like the twirls of wire and sparkle of crystal, or the ribbon that turns into the branch.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- 2 Kylie Parry Ceramic Copper Patina Birds
- 2 Vintaj Naturall Brass Willow Branches
- 27 Crystal Faceted Rondelles 4mm
- 2' Rusty Bucket Hand-dyed Silk Ribbon
- 1 Beach Stone Pebble
- 3 3" head pins
- 2 ear wires
- 11 1" head pins
- 2 Czech Glass Bellflowers
- 3 Vintaj Natural Brass Etched Jump Ring 9.5mm
- 13 Vintaj Natural Brass Jump Ring 4mm
Additional Images:
Helpful Hints:
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Hint 1: The ribbon can be made to look like a tattered branch by knotting it all the way down. |
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Hint 2: I made a nest under the bird out of ribbon by "stitching" my headpin through the ribbon, zigzagging about 8mm apart. Then I put the bird on the headpin squishing the ribbon down into a nest. |
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Hint 3: To balance the branch that the bird is sitting on, I made sure to have something weighting down each end. I used the bellflower to introduce some color and added sparkle with a few crystals hiding in and around the flower. On the opposing end, I created a twirling branch made from a headpin with crystal, stitched ribbon, and a few jump rings. |
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Hint 4: To make the twirly headpins, string the beads you want onto a 3" headpin. Create your wire wrapping loop as you normally would, but instead of trimming off the remaining wire, coil it around your round pliers or a tiny straw or tiny stick. Voila, instant whimsy! See Tip: Wire Wrap a Charm |
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Hint 5: It's important to use almost the same components in each earring. This keeps them from being too busy and will keep them well balanced. |
Buy Products from this Design
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On Aug 18, 2011 at 2:19 pm #
Mary - Sweet Chick says:I absolutely love these Ali!! All your components and special additions make these great “Earth girl” earrings!
On Aug 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm #
1flowerchild says:These are wonderful, Ali! I love the “nature” look of these earrings!
On Aug 19, 2011 at 11:15 am #
FaeryGoth Chick says:Beautiful earrings!
On Aug 19, 2011 at 12:41 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:These are great, and I love the asymmetry.
On Aug 19, 2011 at 7:55 pm #
Fenya says:How cute are these?!!! Very talented artist!
On Aug 20, 2011 at 9:54 am #
D D Mystic Chick says:these are so cute! really like how all the different elements came together!
On Aug 22, 2011 at 8:52 am #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Beautiful earrings!
On Aug 25, 2011 at 7:49 am #
Linda Talbott says:I love your birdie “Non-identical Twins” earrings. They are wonderful, and you really pulled it off.
On Oct 11, 2011 at 3:09 pm #
Florecita Farm says:These are adorable!
On Oct 13, 2011 at 3:59 pm #
thejoyfulgem says:I love these! (and asymmetrical designs). Good Job.
On Nov 11, 2011 at 9:54 am #
never enough beads says:I love these! Funky and Fun.
On Jan 01, 2012 at 1:52 pm #
S Burns says:Very creativde. Not only did you make a pair that goes together but each stands on it’s own.
No one could walk by these without making a comme nt
On Jan 16, 2012 at 1:54 am #
Cindy K says:Awesome earrings. Very creative.
On Feb 13, 2012 at 12:37 pm #
S rowland says:very inventive! keep your imagination turned on!
On Mar 05, 2012 at 9:49 pm #
Rozanne D says:These earrings are so unique and whimsical. They inspire me to be more creative!
On Apr 05, 2012 at 10:41 pm #
A ibarra says:Ali you are so creative, a true artist!
On Apr 19, 2012 at 9:07 pm #
K Koornneef says:What cool earings….so much like something I would do….meaning that they don’t have to be the some…I love different and earings that are not always identical. Thank you so much for the idea. You helped release the creative juices out of me!!!! So appreciate it!!!
On May 26, 2012 at 2:35 pm #
bette4art says:I have just joined Lima Beads (great name!!) and found your work. You are so inspiring and authentic. I work in many mediums and these earrings are kindered to what I do. You rock!
On Jul 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm #
Veronika M says:Fantastic! You are the best! This is one of my favorite and I know now how long and hard to learn this skill. Thank you for this beauty!
On Jan 10, 2013 at 6:39 am #
doggiedoodoo says:you have a beautiful imagination – I am so inspired by your jewelry – such a flair for the artistic – sooo important to stunning one of a kind jewelry -
On Mar 29, 2013 at 9:07 am #
Francesca C says:amazing
On Mar 29, 2013 at 5:05 pm #
Sondra G says:Order some of the materials today… Can’t wait to make these sweet earrings.
On Aug 23, 2013 at 1:50 am #
Empty Nest Chick says:Ali, I love the freedom you allowed your imagination in designing these earrings! They’re wonderful!
On Sep 18, 2016 at 3:09 pm #
Dianaeve says:Where can I find those adorable ceramic birds?