When earrings stray.

Just a little thing to post today; this is probably something many of you have done. But just in case it hasn't occurred to you...

Get a second life from a nice earring you just can't bear to discard, after its mate has wandered off.

Here are a couple of silver earrings that have been sitting in my jewelry box for ages. Single, lonely and sad.

They're the type with a soldered earwire attached.

Now I'm going to turn them into delicate little pendants.

Here goes! Two ways to do it. The first is the most professional and secure, using a wrapped loop.



Those are the basic steps...sorry, I found it tricky to take process photos without having a third hand. For a step-by-step tutorial and fancy video demo from Fire Mountain Gems, click here.

If the earring has an extra little grabber-hook like this, you will need to clip it off:

Snip! If the clipped-off part is rough, smooth it with some sandpaper. There! First mini-pendant done!

Now here's a simpler method which doesn't use a true wrapped loop, but works great. Just swirl the earwire into a double closed circle.

The double circle is so easy-peasy, and makes a fine bail for hanging your pendant. Here, this shot is a leetle more in focus:

Now just match to a chain or cord, and you have a dainty necklace!

That's it, just a little idea. Mini tutorial, mini pendants. Sad and lonely single earrings no more, you can now take them out on the town and buy them a drink.