Cut Out + Keep

Easy Gold Nugget Earrings

These easy fall-inspired earrings will add the perfect amount of glitz to any outfit.

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/easy-gold-nugget-earrings • Posted by Stephanie P.

These earrings come together in under an hour and will quickly become one of your favorite accessories. They look beautiful dressed up or down and would even make the perfect holiday gift.

You will need

Project Budget
Reasonably Priced

Time

1 h 00

Difficulty

Nice & Simple
Medium 104869 2f2014 10 13 172744 gold nugget earrings finished 2 Medium 104869 2f2014 10 13 172759 earrings in shell

Description

These earrings come together in under an hour and will quickly become one of your favorite accessories. They look beautiful dressed up or down and would even make the perfect holiday gift.

Instructions

  1. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 173824 step1

    Start by making two small, equally sized balls out of polymer clay.

  2. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 173850 step 2

    Take one of the clay balls and press it slightly into the table, flattening the back. Then using the flat edge of your knife, press against the sides of the ball, working your way around all sides until you get an imperfectly shaped "nugget". When you're done with the sides, slightly flatten the top as well. Do the same to the other clay ball. They don't have to look exactly the same, but try to make sure they are both roughly the same size.

  3. Bake in a 275 degree oven for 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of your earrings.

  4. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 174024 step 3

    Once your earrings are baked and cooled, apply a dab of crazy clue to the flat end of your earring post. Center your clay nugget on the post and hold until the glue has dried.

  5. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 174056 step 5

    Next, take your earrings and, holding by the post, apply a thin layer of adhesive size to the clay. Place them on a piece of wax paper and let dry for 30 minutes.

  6. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 174119 step 6

    Once the size has cured and is still slightly tacky, pick up a piece of gold leaf and gently lay over top of your earring.

  7. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 174125 step 7

    Use your finger to gently smooth down the gold leaf, making sure to cover all sides of the earring, and wrap any remaining leaf under at the bottom so the bottom edges (next to the post) are adequately covered

  8. Small 104869 2f2014 10 13 174156 step 8

    Using a clean, dry paint brush, smooth the gold leaf so it lies flat against the earring and any leaf not directly touching adhesive gets brushed away.

  9. Let dry for another 10 minutes, then finish up by brushing a thin layer of sealer over top of the gold leaf. Allow to dry completely.