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Modern Wooden Earrings

Accessories, Budget: $$, Crafts, Fashion, Homemade Gifts, Jewelry, One Day Project, Style, Wood working
By Mandi Johnson

modern wooden earringsLately I've been feeling my personal style shift to simpler, more modern pieces. I'm not sure where my wardrobe is going to end up after I settle into my new look, but in the meantime, I've been experimenting with minimally styled accessories. I had an idea for a set of earrings and was so delighted with how easy they were to make! That's the whole point of my style evolution after all. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

modern wooden earringsSupplies:
-square dowel
-2 tiny eyelet screws (I found mine in the wood crafts section of a craft store.)
-2 dangle earring hooks
-wood stain + rag/paper towel to apply
-white oil-based primer + paint
-varnish (optional)
-painter's tape (optional for brushing on paint, but necessary if using spray paint)

Tools:
-saw (any kind of saw will work, but a miter saw will give you the cleanest cut)
-sandpaper (around 180 grit will work)
-jewelry-making pliers
-paint brush (unless you are using spray paint)

modern wooden earringsStep One: Cut the square dowels to size. Mine are about 2" long. I used a miter saw but am showing a small craft blade here as a suggested tool that could also work on a soft wood.

Step Two: Sand down the edges of the cut dowels.

modern wooden earringsStep Three: Stain the wood dowels with the desired color. I used Minwax's Golden Oak stain.

Step Four: Paint the tips of the wooden dowels with primer and then your paint color of choice. You must use primer or the paint will soak into the wood and the finish will crack and peel away. Using masking tape as a guide is optional for brush painting but obviously necessary for spray painting.

modern wooden earringsStep Five: Screw the eyelet hooks into the top of the wooden dowel. You can do this by hand or use pliers to help twist it in place.

Step Six: Use small pliers to pull open the earring hooks. Loop the hook onto the eyelets and close the hook to join the pieces.

IMG_4954modern wooden earringsI love the modern, crafty look of these earrings. There are so many possibilities, too! Change the length or width of the dowels, paint patterns on the wood, or use any colors you wish.

I might use my leftover materials and masking tape to make some patterned earrings to give to friends. What kind would you make? –Mandi

Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson. Photos edited with Stella of the Signature Collection.

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