Summer Flip-Flop Earrings!

| thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich

Ahhh, summer, the lazy days…I wish! I have been running non stop all summer. Last night I told my kids “that’s it, we are not going anywhere tomorrow, we are going to chill out at home!” then I remembered that I have a kids knitting class to teach that the library this afternoon, well, at least we can ride our bikes, mostly I’m sick of being a taxi service 😉 I couldn’t wait to make some jewelry with the new lampwork beads I got  from Oriental Trading Company this week. They have given me some products to try so if you check them out please tell ‘um Lindsay sent ya! I made a couple pairs of earrings and an adjustable anklet:

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The earrings are super easy, all you need are round nose pliers, a wire cutter, 20 gauge wire, 2 beads and ear-hooks. All of these supplies can be found cheaply at Oriental Trading if you do not have them already. This is a really basic project and if you are new to beading and wire work this video will show you how to properly manipulate the wire for strong, attractive and durable jewelry:

Pretty easy huh? The anklet is done much the same. When you put the flip-flop bead on the wire you can add larger beads of your choosing and when you make the top wrapped loop make it large enough for rat-tail cord to pass through and to attach 2 more dangles. To make the dangles take a lampworked headpin and slide on 2 beads. Make a right angle bend and the first part of your loop but don’t wrap it yet. Slide the wire through the loop on the first dangle then complete the loop and wrapping on the lampwork headpin. This will make strong connection because the loop is wrapped, not just closed. Repeat for the other headpin. Slide the completed bead cluster (use the large loop on the flip-flop dangle) on a piece of cord and make adjustable sliding knots on each end.  If you prefer a necklace use a longer cord!

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So back top my busy week, my daughters carpooled to horse camp with another mom each day saving me a lot of additional driving so as a thank you I gave her the earrings I made in the video;)

DCF 1.0

That wraps it up for me today. I am going to enjoy this quiet morning before class and maybe help my kids with the Lincoln Log village they have set up in the living room. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

12 thoughts on “Summer Flip-Flop Earrings!”

  1. Your earrings are adorable. Where do you purchase your paper? I loved the paper you used for the gift box. Enjoy your almost quiet day. Do you teach continental knitting? Do you find one method easier than the other?

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    1. Hi Bev,
      Yes I teach continental, It is how I learned to knit from a book, it is faster I think and makes switching to crochet much easier since you hold the yarn in the left hand. Kids seem to take to it quite easily;) The paper I used here is from K&co, it was an 8″x8″ stack, “bailey” I think is the name of it, really bright colors and thick double sided papers. I got it at Joann Fabrics (instore but they might have it online) and since the don’t change their paper pad selection too often they might still have it, If not try consumer crafts, they have a lot of older product;)

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  7. Is there anything you can’t do? I’ve been spending nights watching your tutorials, writing down your tips & techniques so I won’t forget them! My notebook is almost full! My question is do you have a planning journal or place where you jot down or draw out ideas when you get inspired? Or do you leave it up to serendipity? I’m more of a planning type of gal- a little OCD. Wish I could go at it more freely like you do. You’re such an inspiration Lindsay! I envy that you are truly living the life you love! One more ? – do you do art journals? Thanks for the time you spend teaching us all.

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    1. Thanks Paula, I will try anything art/craft related, it is fun to mix it up! I krrp notepads and papers stashed everywhere to write ideas down as I get them, usually just a few words or a quick sketch. Often I don’t need to look back at them, the fact that I wrote them locks the idea in my memory. I don’t put too much detain in because I like to create and be surprised by the outcome a bit. I keep a special notepad that is “craft fair ideas” and that has more thought because they are items to make in bulk to be able to sell at a $5 price point so I let those ideas develop and flesh out a bit more before I attempt them. I don’t art journal, but i do use a lot of the techniques in my scrapbooks:)

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  9. I love the little dimensional envelope/box that you made for the earrings. Do you have a video that demonstrates how those are made? I could probably just monkey around with my scoreboard and try to figure it out, but you do such great videos that I thought I would ask if you’ve done one already before I try to reinvent the wheel on my own.

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