Cut Out + Keep

Stud Earring Charm Bracelet

Turn old post back earrings into charms for a one of a kind bracelet.

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/stud-earring-charm-bracelet • Posted by CraftyHope

One of my most favorite things to buy secondhand is old jewelry. I especially love when it’s a big ole jar or bag of jumbled bits, and you really don’t know what’s in there. Once I get these treasures home, I sort out anything that I don’t think I can use. The rest goes in jars for additional sorting later. Without fail, there are always mismatched and old stud/post earrings. I struggled for a while with what to do with them, but inspiration finally hit to make charm bracelets with these tiny treasures.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

1 h 00

Difficulty

Nice & Simple
Medium 115144 2f2016 10 13 172453 stud%2bearring%2bcharm%2bbracelet%2bupcycled%2brepurposed%2brecyling

Description

One of my most favorite things to buy secondhand is old jewelry. I especially love when it’s a big ole jar or bag of jumbled bits, and you really don’t know what’s in there. Once I get these treasures home, I sort out anything that I don’t think I can use. The rest goes in jars for additional sorting later. Without fail, there are always mismatched and old stud/post earrings. I struggled for a while with what to do with them, but inspiration finally hit to make charm bracelets with these tiny treasures.

Instructions

  1. Small 115144 2f2016 10 13 185424 1%2bclean%2band%2bremove%2bearring%2bbacks%2bon%2bold%2bearrings

    Prepare the old earrings: Remove any backs from the posts of the earrings. Clean (with a mild soap and a toothbrush) and thoroughly dry the earrings. Clip off any loops (for dangles) and file down.

  2. Small 115144 2f2016 10 13 185652 2%2bform%2bloops%2bfrom%2bthe%2bpost%2bon%2bthe%2bearrings

    Use a strong pair of round nose pliers to turn the posts into simple loops. (Note and prepare yourself that some of the posts may pop off. If they do, you now have flat-back accents to add to other projects.)

  3. Small 115144 2f2016 10 13 185912 3%2bmake%2bloops%2bon%2ball%2bearrings

    Repeat above step for all the earrings so that they all become charms.

  4. Small 115144 2f2016 10 13 190221 4%2bgather%2bcharm%2bbracelet%2bjump%2brings%2bcharms

    Gather jump rings and charm bracelet blank with your earring charms.

  5. Small 115144 2f2016 10 13 190443 5%2bplace%2blargest%2band%2bheaviest%2bcharms%2bon%2bbracelet%2bfirst 2c%2bspacking%2bthem%2bevenly

    Stretch out your bracelet blank. Arrange your largest “charms” along the chain to somewhat evenly space and balance them.

  6. Small 115144 2f2016 10 13 190640 6%2bfill%2bin%2bother%2bcharms%2balong%2bbracelet%2bblank

    Fill in the rest of the chain with the rest of the charms, trying to maintain a symmetry and balance.

  7. Additional Notes: *While making the loops, please note that these posts are often very sturdy and you may need a pair of needle or flat-nose pliers to help close the loops. *Don’t be afraid to move the charms around to make sure you can get to/see the clasp and keep the balance.