Busy Bee Earring Tutorial

Created by: Tiffany White

Designer Tips

Tape the stamping blanks to the steel block. Use a permanent marker to draw lines where you want to stamp the phrase "BUSY BEE".
When stamping, make sure that each letter is facing the correct way before you stamp.
Use the pein (round) side of the hammer to texturize the stamping blank around the edges.
Use the metal hole punch to make a hole at the bottom of the stamping blanks.
Antique the brass with Novacan Black.
Polish the blanks, so the lettering and texture pop.
Polish the bee charms, so the details pop.
Flatten the wings on the bees.
Use a jump ring to attach the crystals at the bottom of the earrings.
Use two jump rings at the top of both pairs of earrings to attach the bee charms and the earring wires.

Free Technique Sheets & How-Tos

For a step-by-step tutorial with images, check out the Rings & Things blog post: Busy Bee Earrings.
Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)

Suggested Supplies

1 pair #88-103-06-0 Vintaj Natural Brass Charm, Busy Bee, 13x17mm (no longer available, see 13x10mm #44-695-0 instead)
1 ounce [use 6] #37-136-6 Antiqued Brass Jump Ring, Round, 5mm
2 each #44-720-07 Brass Stamping Blank, Rectangle with Loop, 28x12mm
1 pair #34-063-41 Niobium Ear Wire, French Hook
2 each #06-010-13-150 Swarovski 6010 Briolette Pendant, 13mm - Golden Shadow