DIY Etched Metal Earrings

Hey friends!  I’ve got a fun project today that lets you add texture to metal blanks creating a great boutique look – with your Sizzix Big Shot!  That’s right – we’re going beyond paper crafting today to create these textured dangle DIY earrings.

In addition to your Sizzix Big Shot, you’ll need some jewelry tools, and some Vintaj blanks and a Sizzix DecoEtch die.  I’ll leave affiliate links below to make shopping easy, if you need to buy anything before getting started on this project.  If you shop on Sizzix.com, then be sure to enter code SZB2015 when you check out to score 15% off your purchase, just for being a Happy Hour Projects reader.  As always – shopping links through my posts don’t cost you anything extra, and they support my blog (which allows me to keep making more tutorials).  So thank you!

• Sizzix Big Shot with extended platform & standard cutting pads
• Sizzix DecoEtch die – Baroque Filigree pattern, or your favorite design
• Vintaj Reliefing Block
• Vintaj small 23mm rectangle arte metal blanks
• Small metal hole punch
• Bracelet bending pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• 3mm black crystal beads
• 1.5 inch or larger jewelry head pins, 4mm jump rings, and earring wires in gunmetal or black finish

First things first – let’s texturize the metal blanks.  Place the blank on the foam side of the DecoEtch die, over the part of the design you want etched.  I opted to place mine horizontally over the center for a symmetric design.  There are many types of designs out there, particularly a lot of nature-themed dies, so you can try a more boho-look if you like!

Place the die and blank between a pair of acrylic cutting pads to create your Sizzix “sandwich”.  Roll it through your Big Shot with the tab set to #1.  It will come out with lines imprinted in the metal, and buffing it gently with the reliefing block will remove the black patina, allowing the pattern to be revealed.  You can buff as much or as little as you like, but one thing to note is that the more you polish, the more dark patina will be removed, making the design lighter.

Next, punch a second hole in the bottom of your blank if you’re planning to add a beaded charm (like I did – it’s an optional step, though) and curve it gently by pressing it between your bracelet bending pliers.  I went for a concave look, puffing the design outward.

Add a dangling beaded charm by using a small (3mm, 4mm max) bead on a jewelry head pin.  Grip it close to the bead with your round nose pliers.  Wrap the wire round one side of your round pliers, creating a loop.  Then, wrap the wire around the head pin between the loop and the bead, 2-3 times until the space is filled.  Trim off any excess wire with wire cutters.  (Be careful when trimming off small pieces of wire, though – they can really go flying!  Protective eyewear may be a smart choice.)

Finally, assemble the charm to one side of the blank with a small jump ring (just twist it open with your jewelry pliers – pictured here is a pair of chain nose pliers, but you can use your round pliers to help with this step, since it’s just one ring).  Attach the ear wires to the opposite side, and you’ve got instant earrings!

Thanks for joining me today, friends!

As a 2015 Sizzix Design team member, I receive certain Sizzix products free of charge in order to share inspiration projects and tutorials.  My designs and opinions are, of course, all my own.