Heart Jewelry Choices, Heart Jewellery Allure

heart earrings

Mother’s Day is only a couple of weeks away and once again kids of all ages are wracking their brains for a suitable gift to give to their Mom. Flowers, plants, chocolates, clothing and jewelry are all items that I’m sure she would appreciate but if you are looking for something truly unique that she is bound to love, then why not make her an item of heart jewelry – how about a pair of heart charm earrings?

I made these earrings to complement the heart charm bracelet I made a few weeks ago (see this charm bracelet post from April 4th). If you have already had a try at making the bracelet then you might like to make these pretty heart earrings to go with it. For those who haven’t read the earlier post but would like to make these earrings, read on for the full list of materials needed and instructions on how to make them.

You will probably have some of the necessary materials like tin foil, a glass board or wax paper, rolling pin, oven and small paint brush but you will probably need a visit to your local craft shop (Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, Wal-Mart or other similar stores) for the craft items.

Here are all the things I used to make these cute earrings:

• 1 pair of sterling silver lever earrings (you can find these in the jewelry making section of most craft stores and Wal-Mart)

• Bakeable modeling clay (I used Sculpey Pluffey white)

• Small rolling pin

• Wax paper, glass board or tin foil to work the clay on

• Small heart shaped cookie cutter

• Picture nail to make hole in clay

• Oven (the regular one in the kitchen!)

• Acrylic Paint (I used Folk Art Apple Red)

• Small paint brush

• Clear glaze

• 3mm round acrylic rhinestones – 2 for each heart

• 4 Jump rings (2x7mm and 2x5mm) to attach the charms to the earrings

• Pair of needle nosed pliers

And how I made the earrings was:

Work the clay and roll out to desired thickness

Cut out 2 heart shapes using cookie cutter

Make hole near the top of heart shape for the jump ring to fit through

Follow the instructions on the clay packet for baking the heart shapes

When cool, paint with your chosen colors. I found it easier to hold them flat with the picture nail while I painted the edges and one side of heart then allow it to dry thoroughly before turning it over and painting the other side. Allow each coat of paint to dry before applying the next coat. (If you don’t want to add the rhinestones you can add your own painted design at this stage.)

When the paint is completely dry finish the hearts off with a clear glaze

Glue a rhinestone jewel to one side of the heart charms. Allow to dry thoroughly before gluing one on the other side.

Attach the charms to the earrings

Your earrings are now ready to be placed in a suitable little box, wrapped up in some pretty paper and presented to Mom with a lovely card. How pleased she is going to be when she opens the package and realizes that you have taken the time and trouble to make these especially for her!

Finished Jewelry Box

Mother’s Day is nearly here and once again children of all ages from young to adults are wondering what gift to get for Mom. This year why not give her something that she will treasure not just because it is a gift from you but also because it is useful and handmade by you? How about making Mom or Grandma a jewelry/trinket box? I chose to make a heart shaped box as hearts and heart jewelry are one of the main themes of my site, but you can choose any shaped box and either make it like mine or use your own imagination to create your own design. Here are the things I used to decorate my box:

• One 4″ Heart Shaped Papier Mache box
• 1/4yd stretchy black velvet
• Small piece of black felt
• Small piece of acrylic padding material
• Multi purpose glue
• Brushes to apply the glue
• 42 clear round acrylic jewels
• 7 red round acrylic jewels

Once you have these, you’re ready to start.

Beginning with the Lid:

Photo 1 - Lid with Padding

1. Cut 2 heart shapes out of the acrylic padding material to fit the top of the lid.
2. Glue one onto the lid and the other on top of that. (photo 1)
3. From the black stretchy velvet cut a heart shape that will cover the lid, the sides of the lid and in addition wrap round to cover the inside edge.  Then cut a heart shape that will fit on the underside of the lid.
4. Starting by adding glue to the top of the padding, place the fabric onto the lid, making sure it is positioned right and pull it taut to avoid any wrinkles.
5. Apply glue to the edge of the lid and fasten the material to it, making sure to smooth it out so there are no wrinkles.
6. Apply glue to the inside edge of the lid and stick the fabric down. You will find that you have to make a few snips in the fabric to ensure that it fits the shape and doesn’t crinkle and cause a thick layer inside.
   

   Photo 2 - Finished Box Lid

7. Stick the black velvet heart shape onto the underside of the lid. Set aside to dry. (Photo 2)

Then the Body of the Box:

1. Cut a strip of black velvet fabric twice the depth of the box plus 1″ over (so that it will overlap on the inside and outside bottom of the box) and long enough to wrap all the way round the box with a small overlap where it meets.
2. Cut a heart shape out of the black velvet to fit inside the bottom of the box.
3. Cut a heart shape out of the black felt to put on the outside bottom of the box.
   

   Photo 3 - Part Finished Interior

4. Apply glue to the inside of the box and starting at the ‘v’ at the top of the heart, stick the fabric to the inside making sure to keep approx 1/2″ over at the bottom of the box and smoothing as you go to prevent wrinkles. Glue down the overlap on the inside bottom of the box and where the two ends meet. (photo 3)
5. Apply glue to the outside of the box and fold over the fabric from the inside, sticking it down on the outside. Glue the overlap to the bottom of the box and the overlap where the two ends meet. (photo 4)
6. Stick the velvet heart to the bottom inside the box and the felt heart to the bottom of the box outside.
7. When dry stick the jewels to the box in the pattern of your choice. I chose to make flower shapes using six clear round jewels placed around a central red one. You may choose to create a different pattern or use other colors.

Photo 4 - Bottom of Box

Now all that is left to do is to wrap it in pretty paper and write a nice card and present it to your Mom on her special day. You may even choose to put a beautiful pair of heart earrings inside to complete the gift. Enjoy the smile on Mom’s face when she unwraps the gift and she realizes how much love has gone into making it just for her.