Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Ellen Christian
If you love handmade jewelry, check out these gorgeous beaded teardrop earrings. Contemporary jewelry is one of my favorite types of jewelry.
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Handmade Modern Jewelry
I love how unique each piece is when you make your own jewelry. When I had my own crafts website, I made jewelry regularly because it sold so well. Now that the site is closed, I don’t have nearly as much time.
Of course, there are lots of different types of handmade modern jewelry. It can be everything from a hand-hammered pewter wrist band to geodes to stacking bracelets. There are so many handmade jewelry designs that the possibilities are almost endless.
What is modern jewelry?
Modern or contemporary jewelry is a broad definition that will vary depending on who you’re talking to. Everyone has their own thoughts about what modern jewelry really is.
Most people agree that contemporary jewelry is jewelry that is made with a modern design that uses traditional jewelry-making techniques. It’s not typically mass-produced and encourages creativity and one of a kind pieces.
Where to find ideas for jewelry design?
If you enjoy making your own jewelry, you may agree that finding inspiration can be a challenge. I find that jewelry making books are a great start for beginners. So, if you’re new to making handmade modern jewelry, here are a few ideas to get you started.
So, you can also search for ideas online. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration because there are thousands of ideas for projects to make.
Beaded Teardrop Earrings
So, if you love modern handmade jewelry, take a look at these gorgeous beaded teardrop earrings. So, you can change the colors as you like to fit your preferences. Scroll to the end for a printable version.
Why not check out this charm bracelet DIY and make a bracelet.
List of Supplies:
1. Craft wire – 18 gauge and 24 gauge
2. Craft pliers – cutting and looping pliers
3. Jump rings
4. Earring hooks
5. Wooden beads – 2 different sizes
6. Seed beads
7. Headpin wire
Instructions for this handmade modern jewelry project:
Take a headpin and select the beads you want. The arrangement used here is – 1 golden seed bead, 1 green wooden bead, 1 large orange wooden bead then repeat.
Insert the beads into the headpin through its open end as arranged. Create a small loop adjacent to the last bead at the open end of the wire.
Coil the remaining wire of the headpins’ open end below the loop.
Determine the size of the wire teardrop pattern for the earrings and cut a piece of 18 gauge wire to form the teardrop-shaped hoop, also keep 2 cm extra. From one end of the wire create a small loop by using the looping pliers and then form the hoop with the rest of the wire.
However you plan to arrange the beads through the open end of the teardrop hoop, remember to keep the beaded charm in the middle of the beading. Insert the beads into the teardrop hoop through its open end. Create another small loop at the open end to secure the beading.
Join the 2 loops at ends of the teardrop pattern with a jump ring. Attach the earring hook through the jump ring.
Cut off a piece of 22 gauge wire and coil it around the hoop at the bottom, on either side of the beading from the previous step. It should be tight and neat. Insert beads into the 22 gauge coiled wire through its open end. Finally, after filling the wire to the other end (inside the teardrop frame), coil the open end of the wire around the main frame (the teardrop) to secure the bead.
Insert beads and fill and reach the opposite side of the frame. Coil the wire around the frame to secure. Cut off extra wire. Then repeat this process.
Love handmade modern jewelry? Here are a few more jewelry ideas.
- Engraved couples jewelry
- How to organize your jewelry
- How to make a mala necklace
- Fashion jewelry and jewelry trends
- How to choose birthstone jewelry
- Unity jewelry gift ideas
- Cubic zirconium diamond simulant jewelry
- Mothers birthstone jewelry
- Schneblies frogs
- Earrings suitable for a round face
- DIY Ring Holder
- Best earrings for short hair
Finally, I hope you’ll enjoy making this handmade modern jewelry or purchasing something of your own. Once you get started, it’s hard to stop because it’s so much fun. There are some tips for beginners in this article.
Handmade Modern Jewelry: Beaded Teardrop Earrings
Materials
- 1. Craft wire – 18 gauge and 24 gauge
- 2. Craft pliers – cutting and looping pliers
- 3. Jump rings
- 4. Earring hooks
- 5. Wooden beads – 2 different sizes
- 6. Seed beads
- 7. Headpin wire
Tools
- pliers
Instructions
- Take a headpin wire and select the beads you want for the charm beading. This project uses – 1 golden seed bead, 1 green small wooden bead, 1 large orange wooden bead then repeat.
- Insert the beads into the headpin wire through its open end as arranged. Create a small loop adjacent to the last seed bead at the open end of the wire.
- Coil the remaining wire of the headpins’ open end below the loop.
- Determine the size of the wire teardrop pattern for the earrings and cut a piece of 18 gauge wire to form the teardrop-shaped hoop, also keep 2 cm extra. From any one end of the wire create a small loop by using the looping pliers and then form the hoop with the rest of the wire.
- Insert the beads into the teardrop hoop through its open end. Create another small loop at the open end to secure the beading.
- Join the 2 loops at 2 ends of the teardrop pattern with a jump ring. Also, attach the earring hook through the jump ring.
- Cut off a long piece of 22 gauge wire and coil it around the hoop at the bottom part, on either side of the beading from previous step. The coiling should be tight and neat. Select and insert beads of your choice into the 22 gauge coiled wire through its open end. After filling the wire to the other end (inside the teardrop frame), coil the open end of the wire around the main frame (the teardrop) to secure the bead.
- Insert beads into the wire again and fill and reach the opposite side of the teardrop frame. Start coiling the wire around the teardrop frame to secure the beading. Cut off extra wire.
- Similarly, prepare the other earring to complete the pair.
Ellen believes you can feel beautiful at any age and size. She shares healthy beauty and fashion information geared toward women over 40. She is a direct sales rep for several fashion and beauty businesses.