DIY: Brass Fringe Earrings.

As I mentioned in last week’s DIY post, while in California a few weeks ago, Erica and I got down to crafting business. She had been inspired by Hazel Cox‘s gorgeous brass fringe earrings and we set out to make our own versions. Figuring out the mechanics of making them was a little bit tricky at first, but once we figured out the metal bits, the rest of the project was smooth sailing. Read on for the tutorial and then hop on over to HonestlyWTF to see how Erica made hers!

You’ll need:

• Embroidery Floss (about two skeins)
• One Beading Needle
• Two 14kt Gold Filled Beading Hoops
• One Hole Punch
• Four Jump Rings
• Metal Shears
• Two 1.25″ Brass Metal Disks
• Pen

Start by tracing a half moon at the top of each metal disk.

Then, use the shears to (carefully) cut it off. This took me two tries but it was only because they weren’t perfectly symmetrical.

Use a pen or Sharpie to mark off holes where you want the tassels to go, as well as a hole at the top for the jump ring to go through.

Using the hole punch (this thing is GENIUS), punch out the holes. This takes a bit of time and patience, but it’s worth it.

Take a skein of embroidery floss, and cut it through the top of each side.

Fold a section of eight strands of floss through the beading needle. It gets weird here because the beading needle then becomes stuck. Carefully snip the end of the beading needle off, and you will be able to take the beading needle out. (This step sounds a little confusing, but when you get to it, you’ll see what I mean.)

Pull the end of the floss through the loop where the floss had been folded.

Pull tightly.

Continue this process.

When you finish, it should look something like this.

Carefully trim the floss to get the look you want.

Attach a jump ring to each of the top holes.

And then hook your hoop through one jump ring, bending the other side into a little hook. The hook will pass through your ears, and then close through the second jumpring.

Voila – all done!

photos of me by Lydia Hudgens; all other photography by me.