Easy Feather Earrings

I love feathers in jewelry, and with Thanksgiving coming up, it just seemed appropriate to share these. If you're new to jewelry making, don't be scared! Simple projects like this one will boost your confidence and turn you into a pro in no time. Also, if you need some extra help, Bev from Flamingo Toes has a whole section for jewelry tips that will explain any basics you have questions about.

Feathers add a fun, tribal edge to outfits, and you can find a number of different patterns and colors at your local hobby shop. Add different colored beads or other embellishments to make them your own!

Want to make some for yourself?

SUPPLIES:

Crimping Your Feathers:

ONE: first, choose the feathers that you'd like crimped and one crimp bead.

TWO: insert the end of the feathers into your crimp bead, and use your flat nose pliers to press each side down to contain the end of the feathers.

THREE: here is what your finished crimped feathers should look like.

Finishing:

 

 ONE: insert a jump ring through the hole of the crimp bead (but don't close it yet!) Repeat for your second set of feathers if desired.
 

 

TWO: insert your bead onto your headpin and then, using round nose pliers, wrap your wire around your pliers to make a loop
THREE: insert your bead through your jump ring, add your earring hooks,  then close your jump ring and you're done!

I hope you enjoy your new earrings! With the holidays coming up, these would also make a quick, stylish gift.

If you're looking for more easy jewelry tutorials, check out these past projects:

Snow Globe Necklace, Leather Leaves Necklace, Gem Earrings, Yarn Wrapped Bangles

 Check out our Link Party Page to see where we link up each week!

 

CRAFT: DIY Arrow Bouquet

This sweet little display was the center piece of the food table at Flynn's Little Deer sprinkle last weekend.  I love it so much that it has found a new home on my vanity in my bedroom.  Here's a ridiculously easy tutorial so you can have an arrow bouquet of your own!

Supplies:

2 colors of feathers, 4-5 of each color for each arrow

12" dowel rods

Embroidery floss

A wood arrow shape (can be found in the wood section of any craft store)

Glue Gun

Paint & Paint Brush

Glue feathers around top of dowel rod. 

Glue second color of feathers about 1/4" lower on the dowel rod than the first color to give it some depth.

To secure the embroidery floss, don't bother tying it, just dab some glue and let the floss dry in it.  Once dried, hold the loose end of the floss and spin the dowel in your hand until you're satisfied with the amount you have wrapped.  To fasten the end, dab some more glue and pull the floss through it and let it dry.  Trim the floss.

Lastly, paint your arrow head. I opted for metallic hues.  And you're done!

You can get even more creative with this and paint designs on your rods with bright colors.  I kept mine neutral, though, because I want to be able to use them for lots of different things. This project is so easy, inexpensive and really catches people's attention!

Check out our link party page to see where we link up each week!