Getting Geared up!

So, tomorrow morning is my "Show Me Your Stuff" interview for the Young & Free Tennessee campaign. I have picked out the perfect outfit for the interview, but I needed some jewelry. Hence, I am here to give you some GREAT tips AND instruction on how to curb your costs!!! First off, I only spent around $23 dollars on my outfit (the Clearance section of Kohl's is amazing!). The top is grey, black, red, and white. When it comes to jewelry, I had a few options. (1) I could not wear any. (2) I could buy some earrings for $10 from a department store or jewelry store. (3) I COULD MAKE MY OWN! ;-)

I have loved making my own jewelry for years now, and I wanted to share the process with you. I promise, it is VERY easy!

First off, you'll need the following supplies:

- Wire cutters

- Needle-nose pliers

- Straight earring pins

- Whatever beads you want to use (I have used 3 beads and 1 silver placeholder bead)

- Earrings with an open loop to place the earrings on

Here is a picture of all these supplies:

Locally, I like to buy my supplies from Lilly's Bead Box on Bearden Hill. However, you can also find these supplies at Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby. The wire cutters and needle-nose pliers are on the pricer side, but the beads and pins cost next to NOTHING. Once you buy the cutters and pliers, you are looking at about $1 to make a new set of earrings. Think of how much you could save! Anyway, back to the process..

Next, you'll need to place your beads onto the straight earring pin (with actual earring on top), and place the needle-nose pliers on top of the stack. Here is a picture of what this will look like:

Then, bend the straight pin over the top of the needle-nose pliers. It will look like this:

Now, loop the straight pin around to the other side. A picture of this follows.

After you continue looping the straight pin around itself (so the beads won't fall off), snip off your extra straight pin wire with the wire cutters. Like so:

Here's the finished product!

If you're willing to be a little patient at first, ANYONE can do this! I made these earrings for about a dollar. Just think of the possibilities! You can make earrings to match any outfit... and it makes a GREAT (and CHEAP!) gift for friends. Enjoy, and happy beading!

- Marge