Humans wore earrings as long ago as the Bronze Age. The ancient Egyptians used them to show their high social status.
Nowadays we wear earrings to funk up an outfit or express our personality. They’re also an easy way to get started making our own jewelry.
Keen to make your own earrings? Here are our favorite DIY earrings to try first.
1. Button Earrings
Buttons are a quick and easy way to get started making earrings. The most simple method involves buttons and glue. Choose two buttons and glue butterfly studs on the back. Your earrings are done!
Get creative by painting the buttons, or cover them in glue and dip them in glitter. Fabric-covered buttons are a great choice if you want to work with texture.
This same technique works with other items. Try gluing zippers or even bottle caps to earring backs.
2. Clay Earrings
Polymer clay is a fantastic option for the more adventurous jewelry-maker. Buy candy molds or those used for baking. Press your clay into the different hollows to create shapes.
Bake the clay in the oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Drill holes if you want to hang them from hoops. Or glue earring posts to the back for simple DIY clay earrings.
More creative makers can mold shapes freehand. Or use mini pastry cutters for festive options!
3. Tassel Earrings
Tassel earrings never go out of fashion. DIY tassel earrings are a great way to bring some glam to your outfit.
All you need is a pair of bead caps, embroidery thread, eye pins, and earring hooks. Cut lengths of the thread that are twice the length you want the tassels to be.
Fold them in half and tie a length of thread around the midpoint. Push the eye pin through one of the bead caps. Glue the tassel into the cap.
Attach the eye pin to the earring hook to create your first tassel earring. Repeat for the matching earring.
4. Beaded Earrings
Beads come in a range of types and sizes, from tiny seed beads to large gemstone beads. This means you have plenty of options for your DIY beaded earrings, all tailored to your taste.
Try hanging a single large gemstone bead from a length of chain. This gives an elegant, minimal look.
Or create a dreamcatcher effect using seed beads. String them onto varying lengths of jewelry wire. Hang the longest from a hoop. Then add the rest of the beaded lengths in size order, from longest to shortest. Repeat on either side.
Our zodiac charms make a great addition to any beaded earrings.
5. Leather Earrings
Leather is a flexible choice for earrings. Try cutting interesting shapes out of thick, colored leather. Punch a hole so you can attach them to jump rings. Use these to hang them from earring hoops.
Or cut long strips of leather. Tie them through a large jump ring or hoop using a lark’s head knot (also called a cow hitch). Hang the hoop from earring loops to create DIY leather earrings.
You can boost their glam credentials by adding a Swarovski birthstone charm.
Which DIY Earrings Will You Make First?
These are just five easy ideas for your own DIY earrings. Choose your first pair by matching them with existing outfits. Or make a pair as a gift for a friend or loved one.
They’re endlessly customizable so you can make jewelry to suit your taste and style.
Keen to get started? Pick up our jewelry-making bundle for all the supplies you need to make your own amazing creations.