Time for Tin

One of my most favorite earrings to make are simple tin drops.  I've been hankering to make some more of these again as they are super light and the shapes are endless. Not to mention I have a draw jam packed with collected pieces.

I recommend getting some stencil patterns or make your own from cardboard for tracing, this assures your designs are more accurately matched, trust me, I've tried to wing it and it just doesn't work, at least not for me.  

A pair of metal cutters work great, but I find that stainless steel curved nail scissors work the best. Their small and go around corners like butter.

I'm particularly fond of this pair on the left.  If I'm feeling extra creative, I hand paint portions here and there to give them a little more depth and color.  It's pretty simple since the patterns are already there for you.

When making my cut, I make the upper portion just a tad skinnier so I can roll over the tops, a simple jump ring slides through perfectly so you can add your ear wires. 

Gives them a little added character, ☺

This pair has hammered dots along the bottom with distressing to bring out the silver underneath with added beads up top.  

Great Colors!!

So next time your at a thrift store or garage sale, keep an eye out for tins, people are always getting rid of them.  You know what they say, someones trash is another's treasure, ♥

Thanks for visiting friends, see you again in two weeks!! 

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"Squiddish"

Squiddish Earrings

Squiddish seems an appropriate name for these long dangling earrings that remind me of some sort of undulating ocean creature. Most of you probably recognize the gorgeous rustic ceramic connectors as the work of Petra Carpreau of Scorched Earth. I am a huge fan of Petra, and always find it a challenge to come up with different ways to use her ceramic components in my jewelry designs.

To the watery blue green ceramic connectors, I added my own dangle links made by hammering heavy gauge tin coated copper wire with the ends flattened enough to punch holes through them. I like to make them in varying lengths leaving a slight curve in them so they have a more interesting look when they hang from the earrings.

For a different touch, I use black jump rings and wire wrapping to pick up the touch of black glaze on the ceramic components. Tiny Czech drop beads, in green luster repeat the tones of the ceramic bodies. This is my first design using the black wire and I think it adds an extra element of dimension to these earrings.







Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy