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!

Previously I have concentrated on manufactured heart jewelry and some other types of jewelry that are readily available: there are some beautiful pieces and they are easy to find in the stores and from online retailers. A gold or sterling silver charm bracelet is a popular choice. But, while looking around the craft store recently for items that I needed for a project I was doing, and checking out craft magazines too, I realized that there are a lot of people out there who enjoy making crafts of all types including jewelry.

There is a great deal of satisfaction in producing your own jewelry and hand made jewelry is truly unique, because no two products turn out exactly alike. So if you like to undertake craft projects, either to give as presents or just for the fun of it, then here is an idea for you.  I’ve focused on heart bracelets as a starting point but it is simple to take this idea and then to use it to produce differently-themed charm bracelets or other items, for example.

First of all, here’s what you will need:

I already had some of the items below (for example, tin foil and the regular oven) but I  shopped at Wal Mart and Michaels (the latter has many outlets in Florida, where I live – you may find different suppliers close to where you are, of course) to collect the remainder:

• 1 chain bracelet large enough to fit the wrist of the wearer (about 7″ or 8″ usually)
• 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
• Acrylic Paint (I used Folk Art Apple Red and Folk Art Extreme Glitter Rose)
• Small paint brushes
• Clear glaze
• 7 or 8 Small crystal beads to intersperse with the hearts
• 3mm round acrylic rhinestones – 2 for each heart
• Jump rings to attach the charms and beads to the bracelet
• Pair of needle nosed pliers

And here are instructions on how do it:

1. Work the clay and roll out to desired thickness
2. Cut out 8 – 10 heart shapes using cookie cutter
3. Make hole near the top of heart shape for the jump ring to fit through
4. Follow the instructions on the clay packet for baking the heart shapes
5. 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.
6. 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.)
7. When the paint is completely dry finish the hearts off with a clear glaze
8. Glue a rhinestone jewel to one side of the heart charms. Allow to dry thoroughly before gluing one on the other side.
9. Attach the charms and beads to the chain starting with one colored heart shape, then a crystal bead, then the other colored heart. Carry this pattern through until you have completed your bracelet.

Your heart bracelet is now ready to wear or place in a suitable gift box to give as a present.

Although this bracelet is filled with heart charms (we’re biased!!!) there are lots of other shapes you can use to make more bracelets. Just let your creativity take over – use your ideas to make charm bracelets or something even more unique – and have fun!

Personalised Family Tree Dangle Necklace and Jewelry Box Gift

If you are struggling to think of a gift to give those special people in your life, then why not consider an item of personalised jewellery? Choosing a piece of personalised jewellery as a gift for someone will show that person that they are very special to you. There are lots of items of jewellery that can be personalised so pick the one that you think is most appropriate for the individual you are choosing it for, whether that is Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, teens, children or a close friend.

When thinking about giving jewellery as a gift, especially personalised jewellery, it is the females in our life who we normally consider as the recipient. Perhaps the most obvious ideas are a diamond ring or a pearl necklace. But the men in your life need not miss out even if they don’t usually wear jewellery, whether it’s heart jewellery, gold jewellery or whatever. Perhaps the most obvious items that spring to mind are identity bracelets (these could be engraved with his name or initials) or a pendant that could have a name or personal message put on it. However, some men would definitely not consider wearing either of these items but most men wear watches so this may be a good choice. You could have a special message engraved on the back of it to make it a more personalised gift. If they are professional men who wear a suit for work then a pair of cuff links or tie clip with their initials on them would make a nice gift.

Finding a suitable piece of jewellery for the ladies on your list is a much easier task no matter whether they are seven or seventy. So let’s consider some of the things that are available. For young girls, and maybe even young teenagers, a gold or silver necklace or bracelet with their name spelled out in letters on it is something they will love to wear. For an older teen a signet ring or a charm bracelet or heart earrings with her initials and her birthstone inset into it is something she may like.

When looking for something for your Mom or Grandma, a locket necklace is an ideal gift. Not only can you have it inscribed with a special message, or the birth dates of her children or grandchildren, you can add a family photograph inside so that she will always have the reminder of her family with her.

If the gift is for a wife or girlfriend then a really romantic gift to give her would be a heart charm bracelet with memorable dates and personal messages engraved on each heart charm. Another good choice would be a ring or necklace with both your birthstones inset into it and a romantic message such as “I love you” inscribed on it. But really any piece of jewellery that you can have a personal message put on to it will show that you have given a lot of thought into choosing the perfect gift for her.

But personalised jewellery does not have to be something that is engraved with messages or initials. Selecting an item of jewellery that reflects the interests or hobby of a friend or relative is another way of personalising a gift. For instance, if you have a friend who loves to buy shoes, or loves to shop or collects handbags (I have friends that love all these things!) then you could give her a necklace, earrings and a bracelet with the relevant charms attached to them. They are sure to make her smile and it will remind her of just what good friends you are because you know the things that make her happy.

Yet another great idea for personalised jewellery is to make it yourself. This would be a truly unique gift as there would be no other piece like it. You can buy jewellery making kits from craft stores or online retailers. For the more adventurous and artistic these stores sell all the equipment and books you need to help you create your individual design of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. But if you don’t feel confident enough to make your own jewellery then you could always look at craft fairs or on the Internet for handmade jewellery. You may even be able to have a design of your own made up.

So if you are looking for a unique gift for a man or a woman, take a little time to think about their personality – then do a bit of research and you are sure to find the ideal piece of personalised jewellery for them.

Pretty Victoria’s Secret Red Rhinestone Heart Brooch

Large Sterling Silver Open Marcasite Heart Brooch Pin

With All My Heart Brooch

Double Heart Brooch with Red and Clear Crystals

What could be nicer than receiving a piece of handmade jewelry, particularly if it made especially for you, like a heart brooch? From little girls to grandmas, most women love jewellery whether it is given to them as a present or bought to accessorize a special outfit.  And heart jewellery seems to have a special attraction for both girls and ladies.

Below are two examples of how to make a heart brooch which are simple enough for even children to make.

A. Fabric Heart Brooch

First of all, what you need (all these items can be bought from a craft store):

1. Piece of fabric large enough to cut two heart shapes – felt is ideal but you can use any fabric
2. Permanent fabric glue such as Crafter’s Pick Fabric Glue
3. Permanent gem fixing glue
4. Pack of pin backs (you can use the rest to make other brooches)
5. Fiberfill for stuffing
6. Sequins, gems or glitter to decorate

Next, what to do:

1. Cut out 2 heart shapes of equal size from the felt or fabric
2. Follow the instructions on the fabric glue and glue the edges of the two heart shapes together leaving a small opening to allow you to stuff the heart
3. Leave the glue to dry before stuffing
4. Stuff the heart to the thickness you want – don’t overstuff – and then glue the opening together and allow to dry
5. Glue the pin back onto the middle of the heart using the gem fixing glue and allow to dry
6. Decorate the heart with gems, sequins or glitter glue

You can buy sheets of sticky back felt from craft stores which you could use for this project and would be ideal for younger children to use as it wouldn’t need padding.

B. Dough Heart Brooch

Another great way to make a heart brooch is to make it out of clay or dough.  You can either buy some modeling clay from a craft shop – make sure that it is the sort that will either “air dry” or can be dried in the oven – or make some dough using the recipe below.

First, what you need:

1. 1 cup flour
2. 1/4 cup salt
3. 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
4. 1 cup warm water
5. 1 teaspoon oil
6. food coloring
7. 1 package of pin backs (available at any craft store)
8. Sequins, gems or glitter to decorate, or watercolor or tempera paint and small paintbrushes

And what to do:

1. Put the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil into a pan and add the water a little at a time to make sure there are no lumps.  Add the food coloring a few drops at a time to achieve the color you want
2. Stir over a medium heat until the dough begins to stick together and come away from the side of the pan
3. Remove from the pan and knead until it is smooth
4. When the mixture is cool store it in an airtight container or a sealable plastic sandwich bag – the dough will keep for a at least a week
5. To make the brooch make a heart shape out of the dough then set aside to air dry.  This should take about 2 hours ideally leave it overnight to dry fully before decorating
6. Press the pin back into the heart before the dough is fully dry
7. When the heart is fully dry decorate with either sequins, gems or glitter or with paint

Because there will be dough left over you will have enough to make a heart brooch for Mom, Grandma and even for yourself.  Or you can use your imagination and make a flower, a butterfly or any other design brooch to give as a present.

So have fun making this heart jewelry – either a fabric heart brooch or dough brooch – and I’m sure whoever receives this as a present will know it was made with love.