Spring has sprung. The days are longer. The skyline looks gorgeous from inside.
We are all quarantined indoors, wishing for this season to pass. While we cannot control what's happening around us, but for safety, home is best.
And while we are all indoors, what a better way to banish the blues other than that of staying creatively positive by using our creative imaginations to fill in the blanks that lead to boredom and frustration.
I wanted to share with you, a colourful idea that you can do by yourself at home or with your loved ones. These pair of earrings are fun, unique and easy to make.
I hope you enjoy making your very own pair or as a gift to someone dear to you.
Let's get started:
STEP ONE
Firstly, measure out and cut 11cm of your chosen coloured yarn. You will need to cut three pieces to this exact length.
Then fold the three strings in half, then cut in the middle. You’ll now be left with six pieces of yarn.
Split all your cut pieces collectively into a half, three on each side, depending on the colours you want to mix. Then cross over one half of the yarn over the other half, then fold, ready for braiding.
STEP TWO
To secure your yarn, tape the end of your folded yarns to a table or a flat surface.
To braid your pieces, divide the yarns into three sections, then cross the left section over the middle section, then the right section over the middle section. Continue this process until you reach the end.
When you reach the end of your braid, make a tight double knot to secure. Then trim off any loose ends with scissors, and seal off with a lit lighter.
Repeat this process three times. In total, you should have four braided pieces.
STEP THREE
Double up and thread onto your needle with a cotton thread, then tie a secure knot.
Insert the needle through the top of one of your braided pieces. Then through the middle, and then through the front. Thread the needle through the knotted loop, pull tightly to secure, and tie into a knot.
Cut four pieces of 3.5 cm rhinestones. Take one of the cut pieces, and place it on top, of one of your braided yarn pieces.
Holding both pieces firmly in place, begin to stitch the rhinestones onto the yarn, by stitching in between each rhinestone. Follow this process until you reach the end. Make a double knot and cut off excess threads with scissors.
Repeat this process for the other three braided pieces. When completed, you should have four pieces.
STEP FOUR
Double up and thread onto your needle with a cotton thread, then tie a secure knot. Take one of your pieces and stitch it onto the second piece, bypassing your, threaded needle, from the back, through to the front, then re-insert the needle back through your second piece.
Pull tightly to hold both pieces in place. Repeat this process until you reach the end. Make a double knot with your needle onto the braided pieces then cut off the excess with scissors. Thread your needle once again, then repeat this exact process with the third and the fouth braided, rhinestone pieces. Make sure when stitching, that your rhinestones are properly aligned straight before each stitch.
Once you’ve stitched all your pieces together, thread onto your needle a cotton thread, then make a tight knot. From the top corner of your stitched yarn pieces, insert your needle from the back to the front, then pull. Insert onto your needle a brass tube bead.
Then, cross over the brass in between the rhinestones. Insert the needle from the front to the back, then knot. Insert that very same needle from the back to the front, this time making sure it’s aligned with the second layer of your rhinestones. Repeat the same process as before, until you’ve used up all the four brass tube beads.
STEP FIVE
Thread your needle with a cotton thread, and then make a tight knot.
Insert your needle from the back to the front, through one side of the bottom corner of your braided rhinestone piece.
Thread a charm bell onto the needle, then reinsert the needle back through the front to the back. Repeat steps with the other three charm bells to complete. Upon reaching the end, tie a secure knot, then cut off any excess thread with scissors.
Repeat these steps for the opposite side.
STEP SIX
To attach the ribbon crimp, dab super glue along the top of the braided part.
Then, open wide the crimp with flat nose pliers. Insert the glued part to the back of the crimp, then fold to a close with flat nose pliers, or with a slight pressure using the rubber tip of your plier handle.
I used the rubber tip of my pliers to avoid any unnecessary scratches on the shiny surface of my crimp.
STEP SEVEN
Open the looped end of your ear wire with your round or flat nose pliers.
Thread your opened loop, through the looped end on the ribbon crimp. Bring to a close using any of your pliers.
Congratulations! You have successfully finished one side of your earrings. Now, repeat all the steps for the opposite side.