Friday, June 29, 2012

{Chevron Wooden Earrings}


Lately, I've been posting mostly home decor and decorating tutorials, but if you've followed me for a while or looked at my project gallery, you know that's not all do.  I like to make anything really.  I recently made a inexpensive, chic pair of earrings using a fun technique.


Here's the supplies you'll need if you want to make a pair:
  • Two wooden discs from a craft store
  • Drill and drill bit
  • Wood glue
  • Wood stain
  • Stencil(s)
  • Mod Podge (regular and Dimensional Magic)
  • Four jump rings
  • Two earring hooks
First, I drilled a small hole in each of the wooden discs.


Then I used my Silhouette to create some zig-zag stickers out of contact paper.  (Just use a speed of 3 and thickness of 3 when cutting contact paper.)  I placed the stickers on my wooden discs in a chevron pattern.


This is where I have the coolest little secret to tell you.  Did you know that wood that is coated in wood glue will not soak up stain?  Yep, that's right.  (I saw this tip a long time ago on HGTV or TLC or somewhere.)  So I used a foam brush to coat the top of the wood discs with wood glue.


When the glue was almost dry, I took off the stickers and threaded a bent paperclip through the discs to prepare them to dip in stain.  I used a soy based stain I bought at Joann's.  I dipped each disc in the container.


Then I used a paper towel to wipe off the excess stain.  I let the discs try completely.  Then I covered the back and sides with a layer of Mod Podge to seal them.  I lightly sanded the design side to even out some of the wood  glue and then covered it with a layer of Dimensional Magic.  (Somehow I neglected to take a picture of this step, but it's really easy to do.  Just start squeezing the bottle on a scrap piece of paper because normally a bubble is the first thing to come out, and you DON'T want bubbles.  If you happen to end up with some, you can try to use a straight pin to pop them, but it's hard to do!)  Then it was time to attach the hardware.


In order to get the earring to hang right, I had to use two jump rings.  I connected the larger jump ring to the disc, the smaller jump ring to the larger jump ring, and the earring wire to the smaller jump ring.  With these few easy steps, I now have a new pair of fashionable earrings!


I love the thick, shiny finish the Dimensional Magic gives the earrings.


They're just the right size--not too big and not too small.


These earrings will match so many outfits!  And think of all the possibilities you can create with this technique.  You could stencil a silhouette on the disc or even a damask or paisley pattern to create a totally different look.  I have a feeling I will be making more of these.  If you decide to make a pair, I'd love for you to send me a picture or a link to your post.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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21 comments:

  1. Great job! These are awesome! I can't wait to try this too!

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  2. So cute, thanks for linking up! I just shared this project on my fb page: http://www.facebook.com/seevanessacraft

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  3. I love these! I have never heard of the wood glue trick...cool!

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  4. i love these! i have been wanting to make some of my own earrings and this is a great project! i'd love for you to come link this post or anything else you want up to my weekend link party http://www.lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/06/spread-love-link-party-14.html have a great weekend!
    {love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com

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  5. These are super cute. I might need to try this :)

    Jillian
    http://www.makingittoday.com

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  6. These look fabulous, Bethany! Great tip about the wood glue :) Did these wooden discs come from your clearance haul at Michaels? I know I've seen some like this there and they were clearing them out.

    It's so hard to whittle down my crafting to-do list when I keep coming across more fantastic inspiration!

    Don't get my started on your GORGEOUS craft room and all the fun DIYs! :)

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  7. These are fabulous! Thank you for sharing.

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  8. These are fabulous Bethany! Great tip on the wood glue!

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  9. What a great idea!! And you could paint them any color you choose!! Thanks for sharing at SweetTalkin' Sunday!

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  10. What a great job...and one of the many reasons I awarded you the Sunshine award.
    http://www.bleak2unique.com/2012/07/walkin-on-sunshine.html

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  11. Very cute! Such a great idea!

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  12. Okay, I don't wear earrings too often but I think I'm going to have to make these! Pinned it! So cute!

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  13. These are awesome!
    Thank you for linking up to our Pinteresting Party.

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  14. Fabulous!!! I'm totally wanting to do this! XO, Aimee

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  15. Bethany, these are great! Simple and so cute. I had no idea wood glue wouldn't soak up stain - what a great secret to know! :)

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  16. I am stopping by from Whimsy Wednesday...and I stumbled upon this AMAZNG post. I am pinning this immediately! You are an amazing artist--i enjoyed looking through all of your projects. very inspiring!
    I wanted to invite you to a link party I am hosting right now...a link party for OLD posts. You know, those things we posted when only our moms and husbands were reading our blogs...or is that just me?? Anyway, let's get some more traffic and pins out of those posts!
    Hope to see you there!
    http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2013/02/and-oldie-but-goodie-link-party-5-and.html
    Nancy

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  17. How did you stop the dimensional magic from solidifying in the hole you drilled for the ear-wire?

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  18. How did you prevent the dimensional magic from solidifying in the hole for the ear-wire?

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  19. i did this last night and my zig zags did not turn out as dark as yours. what color stain did you use.

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