March Tutorial – Dainty Butterfly Bow Mixed Media Earrings

It is snowing here and it seems winter will last forever. But after my recent winter-themed tutorials for wraps and furs, I was in the mood for something small and spring-ish. These dainty earrings help drive winter blues away!

Who doesn't need a little romantic touch with bronze and lace? If you're not used to making jewelry, don't worry – these are as easy as bending, opening and closing loops and making a needle go up and down. Here's how to make them.

You will need (for each earring):

filigree chandelier finding with 5 loops

matching metal earring wire

3 matching metal headpins

4 small round beads

2 small faceted beads

2 seed beads

1 in. lace scrap

needle and thread

wire cutters

needlenosed pliers

Before we get started, let's talk about the chandelier finding. I don't know the model number of this one since I got it in a mixed bag, but it should be easy to find something similar online or in your local craft store. It has 5 loops on the bottom and the filigree work gives me a base to sew later on.

And you will want 1 in. lace that has a finished edge on both sides; cut it to 1 1/2 in. long.

Putting it Together

1. Place a round bead on a headpin; with your wire cutters cut off the extra headpin leaving room to bend a loop.

2. Bend the headpin in a loop around one end of the chandelier finding.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 on the other end.

4. Now place a round bead and a faceted bead on another headpin, trim off the extra…

5…and attach this loop in the center. It already looks cute, and of course you can stop here if you like, but there's more!

6. With your needle and doubled thread, tie a knot, and weave the needle through the center of the lace like this:

7. Draw it tight and bind the center to make a cute little bow. Twist it around so the unfinished edges are in the back and everything lies evenly.

8. Sew it securely to the chandelier finding. I used the center hole at the bottom and a space in the filigree just up from that for my sewing base.

9. Before you fasten off your thread, sew a seed bead and a round bead with one stitch in the center…

…and a faceted bead and seed bead in another stitch. Knot it securely on the other side and fasten off.

10. All you have to do now is open the loop on the earring wire, insert it in the top loop, and pinch it shut.

Short and sweet!

Repeat steps 1-10 for the 2nd earring, making sure when you do step 9 you switch the position of the beads so they mirror the other.

Of course you can use any color of beads or metal findings you wish, making it unique. I chose shades of brown and bronze and cream for a little Old World romantic feel.