It only seems like weeks since I wrote my Beaded earrings craftermath post for the 3rd Annual Use Your Leftovers Challenge but it been a year. The 4th Annual Use Your Leftovers earrings challenge is here. However, nothing much has changed. The mess and the fuss all remains the same while my stress has tripled.
4th Annual Use Your Leftovers earrings challenge
The earrings challenge is to take pictures of the beady mess lying around the house (or studio), and segregate beads in trays to make earring pairs. I do not have any pictures to show you for all that mess has been hap-hazardly dumped in boxes and shut inside cupboards as I am once again travelling. But I am sure that beaders and other crafters know that how supplies tend to get messy.
For the first time in a long time, the earrings shown in this post are not based on complicated concepts, strong inspirations or memories. They are simple wearable earrings. From beginning to end they are connected by one theme. The theme that I have chosen is “Shine” which is appropriate given that Christmas and New Year are just around the corner.
Looped beaded chain earrings
The first pair makes use of shiny fire polished oval glass beads. They are looped with copper wire by local gypsies. I have used bits of leftover chain with a double strand connector to make mixed metal earrings. Painted peacock studs complete the pair.
Muddling green, blue and brown
These were a pair of earrings made using seemingly random beads. The only connection seems to be the inherent shine both the blue and green-brown beads posses. However, I find the green-brown beads to be frozen – jelly like, a delightful contrast to the strong and bright blue beads. Both these beads are looped using artisan bronze wire and bronze earhooks.
Pom Pom earrings
The third pair does not use shiny beads or components per say, but the the multi coloured pompoms are so saturated that they are bright. Almost to a point where they are shiny. This is one again a simple pair with pompoms, bead caps and ghungroos looped to a handmade ear hook. The earrings do produce a soft jingling sound due to the ghungroo but are thankfully muffled by the pompoms.
Drops of Gray
My fascination with jewellery begins with my fascination for Czech jewellery but that is another story for another day. However, Czech beads are unable in India, so I rarely use them in my work. A while back, I had made a Swarovski crystal and pearl necklace for a client that used faceted Czech beads as well. Since I had to import the beads, I ordered a little extra. Comforted by the availability of beautiful beads in soft soothing gray with a subtle sheen, I made this pair of earrings. The rest of the pearls went into the snow floral necklace, that I made last week and will show in my AJE challenge reveal post next week.
So that is my reveal for the 4th Annual Use Your Leftovers earrings challenge. None of the earrings shown in the post are for sale but similar ones can be made on order.
Go to the Earrings Everyday blog and join us by entering this blog hop. Hop around the links to see what the other challenge participants have created. Looking forward to reading your feedback and comments.
16 responses to “4th Annual Use Your Leftovers earrings challenge”
Even without a designer mission, there is something special about each pair. The different colors of the beads in the first pair (or is it the light?), the strong contrast of the second and the elegance of the last one. The one with the pom poms that muffle the sound of the bells is slightly boho with a twist, love this idea!
Thank you Rozantia. The beads are of different colours and they are quite shiny in the first pair. I was quite happy with the pompom ones. It was bright and cheerful but subtle enough to be worn casually.
Simple and wearable definitely works for you because all of these earrings are beautiful.
Thanks Ann.. they are extremely wearable. I have worn them many times already 😀 😀
I love the last pair. Ending the row of lavender beads with a silver beads really works well. I also love the blue, green, brown earrings. This pair has some of my favorite color combinations.
Actually the lavender beads are gray Czech beads with a lustre coating. so it looks like purple
First, I hope you are enjoying your travels. These earrings are all plain FUN! I love the bright colors of the first several. They pom-pom ones are the most fun of the bunch. I adore the whimsy of them. And the last pair is fun in its long length. Wonderful job!
Thanks Hope, yes, my trip was good and I visited an exciting place. I hope to blog about it soon.
Nice work, love the greys!
Thank you valerie
Divya, these are great! I love both long dangling earrings, and the pompom ones, with their gentle jingle, scream casual-but-eccentric! 🙂 The green-brown beads of the other earring pair do add that extra something that I don’t imagine other beads could have.
Thanks for the “Casual but eccentric” phrase Anita. It describes me more than my earrings, perfectly.
Lovely work as always! I really love the soft shine of that last pair (and am so sad that it’s hard for you to get Czech glass in India… I’m addicted to all the beads!!). I’m also very smitten with the pair with the peacock studs. Fun!
Yes Sarajo, Since India is a major glass center for recycled glass and soda glass we get those in abundance here. It doesn’t makes much sense for suppliers to import the very expensive Czech beads
It is always marvelous to behold what you create, Miss Divya. I love that you incorporated your own theme into your designs. I truly love the peacock pair with the shiny strands of beads. That is a component I have never seen and I love that the local gypsies made the strands. They are each wonderful with attention to details and color that are just perfect. Thank you for playing along in the leftover challenge at We’re All Ears. Here’s to a creative 2019! Erin
Thank you for this Challenge Ms. Erin. Looped strands of multi colour beads are creations of local gypsy communities. I prefer buying my beads from them than any corporate brand.