https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/leather-calla-lilly-earrings • Posted by Falene M.
This was a fairly quick and easy project that look oh-so-bo-ho chic. I tried a few variations (because I ran out of leather glue), and the easy to follow directions found in the book were quite adaptable. I bought my leather as scrap pack at an arts and craft store. It was the most expensive part, and I have enough to last me.
This was a fairly quick and easy project that look oh-so-bo-ho chic. I tried a few variations (because I ran out of leather glue), and the easy to follow directions found in the book were quite adaptable. I bought my leather as scrap pack at an arts and craft store. It was the most expensive part, and I have enough to last me.
First thing's first. Draw a petal. I'm usually not a stickler for measurements (not a good quality, but it makes things exciting), but I gave it a go. Lo and behold, measuring works well (who would have though, eh). Cut out the pattern on the leather. !LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! 1) I drew it like a petal on a rose the first time (this picture). The second time, I made the narrow end squeeze in and flair out and it worked better (try to make it look like a tulip petal at the end). 2) to make it symmetrical, draw it like this THEN fold it in half and cut along the side you want.
Cut your wire! One needs to be about 1cm smaller than the other. The DIY instructions suggest 6cm (2 1/4in) and 5cm (2in). You could also use pre-cut head pin to save you half of the next step. !LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! 1) you probably are smart enough to realize this, but pick a wire colour that matches your earwires!
Add the beads. Once placed on the wire, coil the ends so the bead won't come off. (if you had used a head pin, you wouldn't need to do that part ''@o@''!)
Align with the leather and roll. Make sure the top wires are aligned together and the beaded ends are lower than the base of the petal. When rolling: Apply glue to the top of the petal and roll one side of the petal over the other. Hold for a minute. !!LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!! 1) this was where I realized that I didn't cut the petal correctly. Make you do!! 2) HOLD THE GLUED PART DOWN! I immediately finished the step without doing so and had to rush to salvage it, which is why there are no pictures for the next step.
Form a Loop and Finish it! Use the extra wire from the middle to make a loop at the top and wrap the excess wire around the top (it 'finishes' the piece). Repeat and add to earwires. !LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! 1) wrap the wire around a pen to form a smooth loop. You can lengthen it from there.
OPTIONAL STEP NOT FROM THE BOOK: NON-PIERCED I don't have piercings, so, I created a large earcling with the same wire used in the Calla Lilly base. It worked excellently.
OPTIONAL STEP NOT FROM THE BOOK Should you run out of glue, like I did, punch a small hole in the petal's narrow region and thread one piece of the wire through. Use the other one to make the loop and secure the leather using the remaining wire. If you use this method, use more than 5(2 1/4in)cm and 6(2in)cm pieces of wire.