Beaded Owl Earrings - guide, with pictures, on how to make a pair of beaded owl earrings using crystal rivolis.
Pair of beaded owl earrings – with big eyes. This pair matches the Karlyn Beaded Owl necklace from the previous post.
Credit: The inspiration for this pair of beaded owl earrings came from the owl from Beadtales. Here in this post, I hope to add to or provide further how-to steps in the making of this beaded owl.
Pictorial Summry/ How-To Steps: Beaded Owl Earrings I
Use this summary as a refresher. More detailed steps are below this section.
Below is a pictorial summary of the steps taken to make the beaded owl earrings. For the experienced or anyone just refreshing their memory, it is a quick and efficient way to proceed. For anyone needing more specifics, detailed steps and accompanying photos are below.
REMEMBER: start with multiple of 4 beads to go round your cab, whatever size cab you choose to use.
Detailed How to Make Beaded Owl Earrings I
Owl's Body
To make the beaded owl earrings, let’s start with the body. First, this is what the body will look like when you are finished. (I find that it helps to have a finished visual when one is going through the steps.) You will note that I have:- a top loop (used to help secure the owl’s eyes later on)
- 3 drop beads for “wings” on each side, and
- 2 little “feet” at the bottom
The Swarovski rivoli used for making the owl’s body is a 14mm crystal rivoli (colour: Fuchsia). We will be using Peyote stitch to do the beaded bezel for the rivoli.
Thread length: approx. 3 feet
R1 & 2: string 32 seed beads (Toho, 11/0).
IMPORTANT: to make the scallop inner edging, you need to have a multiple of 4 beads (e.g. 32, 36, 40, etc.)
Thread length: approx. 3 feet
R1 & 2: string 32 seed beads (Toho, 11/0).
IMPORTANT: to make the scallop inner edging, you need to have a multiple of 4 beads (e.g. 32, 36, 40, etc.)
R3: peyote stitch with Delica seed beads.
R4: alternate the delica beads with (silver) 11/0 rocaille seed beads
R5: We start clinching in the peyote beaded bezel. Peyote stitch with 15/0 small seed beads.
R6: alternate 15/0 seed beads to form “peaks”
Now to clinch the back, insert the rivoli into your beaded piece. Thread towards R1. Peyote stitch with Delica beads.
Then finish the clinch with two rows of peyote stitch in 15/0 seed beads.
Add legs and top loop
Now we are going to add the “legs” and the “top loop”.
To be clear what I mean by Row 1 (the first row we started with), this picture shows Row 1 and Row 2 hightlighted.
Both the “legs” and the “top loop” will be added along Row 1.
Both the “legs” and the “top loop” will be added along Row 1.
Each leg is made up of [1x Turquoise 11/0 bead and 5x Topaz Delicas]. The “stalk” of the leg is made up of [1x Topaz Delica + 1 Turquoise 11/0 seed bead].
There is one Turquoise 11/0 seed bead between each “leg”.
There is one Turquoise 11/0 seed bead between each “leg”.
Then continue working in peyote weave (with 11/0 Turquoise seed beads) till you get to the top where you will make the “top loop”.
The “top loop” is made of [1x 11/0 Turquoise seed bead + 4x 15/0 Crystal AB seed beads].
And there should be [6x Turquoise 11/0 seed bead] between each “leg” and the “top loop”.
The “top loop” is made of [1x 11/0 Turquoise seed bead + 4x 15/0 Crystal AB seed beads].
And there should be [6x Turquoise 11/0 seed bead] between each “leg” and the “top loop”.
As much as possible, thread along Row 1. This will tighten and strengthen the “top loop” and the “legs”. Work along till just before where you think you want your wings to be, then step up to Row 2.
For the “wings”, add 3x long drop beads (gold). Then continue threading through Row 1 to continue strengthening the piece till you get to the other side where the corresponding “wings” are about to be begin.
Step up to Row 2 again and make the corresponding “wings” on the other side.
Step up to Row 2 again and make the corresponding “wings” on the other side.
Here are a couple of close-ups of the “wings” along Row 2.
Once you have the owl’s bodies done (2 pieces for a pair of earrings), we shall make the “eyes”.
Owl’s Eyes
For each owl, I used a pair of 8mm round turquoise coloured glass beads.Note: the 8mm bead has given this owl big eyes. 6mm rounds would be more suitable. (See: Beaded Owl Earrings II (CH0425)).
Thread length: apprx. 2 feet
Using Delica beads, ladder stitch around the round bead.
Using Delica beads, ladder stitch around the round bead.
When one eye is done, attach it to the owl’s body using the “top loop”. Also stabilise further by attaching another part of the “eye” to a bead along the body.
Finish off. And make the other eye.
Finish off. And make the other eye.
Work the other eye the same way. Attach and stabilise to body as above.
Additionally, join both eyes to each other for a bit more stability.
Additionally, join both eyes to each other for a bit more stability.
To Make the Owl’s “Eyebrows”
Refer to this image to see what I mean by “eyebrows”. You might also note that I have incorporated a (soldered closed) jump ring at the top. This will be worked into the eyebrow as we make it. The closed jump ring will then facilitate an easy attachment to ear wires later on.
The “eyebrows” are created by making a peyote stitch warped square.
The “eyebrows” are created by making a peyote stitch warped square.
Thread length: apprx. 3 feet
Begin with [4x 11/0 seed beads] – thread tightly twice into a circle. Fit in a 5mm sterling silver soldered close jump ring over the 4 beads. Then begin Row 2, catching and securing the jump ring, as shown below.
Begin with [4x 11/0 seed beads] – thread tightly twice into a circle. Fit in a 5mm sterling silver soldered close jump ring over the 4 beads. Then begin Row 2, catching and securing the jump ring, as shown below.
Work 6 rows (as per peyote stitch warped square) in the 11/0 orange. Then one row of silver trimming in Silver Delica.
Note that you will only have ONE bead at the top tips (the round 11/0 rocaille) and [2x silver Delica] for the bottom tips. Then a second row of silver Delica trimming along one straight edge.
Pause at the bottom tip – this is where we will join to the body…
Note that you will only have ONE bead at the top tips (the round 11/0 rocaille) and [2x silver Delica] for the bottom tips. Then a second row of silver Delica trimming along one straight edge.
Pause at the bottom tip – this is where we will join to the body…
Then join to owl’s beaded “eyebrow” to its body as follows.
Continue adding the second row of silver Delica trimming along the straight edges till you get to the back’s lower tip.
Attach the eyebrow in same way to the back of the body. Continue all round.
Remember to thread through all beads at the outer edges and at the joining points again for a sturdier, stronger finish.
Continue adding the second row of silver Delica trimming along the straight edges till you get to the back’s lower tip.
Attach the eyebrow in same way to the back of the body. Continue all round.
Remember to thread through all beads at the outer edges and at the joining points again for a sturdier, stronger finish.
When you have completed the owl, you can attach ear wires.
Here I have used .925 Sterling Silver Bali earwires.
Here I have used .925 Sterling Silver Bali earwires.
Beaded Owl Earrings I - Finished!
Materials
Status: g15 0JL SOLD ℋ (to Christina Gillett, Mar 2017. 20% discount & free SH)
- Swarovski Rivoli Crystal, 14mm, Fuchsia
- .925 Bali Sterling Silver Ear Wires
- .925 Sterling Silver rings
- Long drop beads, 3×5.5mm, Galvanised Gold
- Toho 11/0 rocailles (Opaque Turquoise, Galvanised Aluminum, Silver Lined Frosted Hyacinth)
- Miyuki Delicas (Opaque Turquoise AB, Lime Lined AB Hex Cut, Dark Topaz)
- Miyuki 15/0, (Sterling plated, Transparent Crystal Ivory Gold Lustre)
Status: g15 0JL SOLD ℋ (to Christina Gillett, Mar 2017. 20% discount & free SH)
More to Come...
As I said earlier, this Beaded Owl Earrings I, complements the Karlyn owl necklace from the previous post. As you can see in this accompanying photo, there is still another beaded owl earring II to come 🙂
