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Thanks to group member Candi, I have photos for a great new tutorial!

Here is how we make our teardrop earrings.

You’ll need vinyl or faux leather the size of the design, (if the earrings are 1″ tall, you need slightly taller than 1″ for each, etc), the same or similar fabric for the backing (to cover the “ugly” backside of the embroidery on front), jewelry findings like jump rings (the little circle with one break so you can slightly open and close it), an earring wire/hook, and maybe a small pair of pliers intended for jewelry making.

You can get these jewelry supplies at Michaels or JoAnn, or grab a kit for around $10 on Amazon like this or this. Here are the exact materials that Candi shared with me: open jump rings (great use with already being opened for you!), larger jump rings, and earring hooks.

First, hoop stabilizer of your choice. She has taped stabilizer to her fast frame. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you use tearaway or cutaway. It will be sandwiched into the earrings anyway.

Next, run placement stitch.

Place your fabric to cover these stitches. You can pin, adhesive spray, tape, or otherwise secure the fabric if you’d like. Stitch the details (for this project, football details).

Put backing fabric underneath hoop to cover project (right side down). Backing fabric is to cover the “ugly” backside of the embroidery from the front. It can be a different or the same fabric as you used for the front. Pin, tape, or adhesive spray to project. You can match the bobbin thread to the backing like Candi did, or not.
Top photo is the back of the frame with matching leather. Bottom photo is the finished product.

Carefully cut out your shape and trim threads to your liking. Top photo is cutting and bottom photo is the back after all cutting.

Use the smallest punch on the Crop-a-Dile to punch a hole at the top of the football. Make sure not to snip any threads in the details of your design.

Insert the bigger ring first using needle nose pliers to open the ring just a little. Top photo is open ring. Bottom photo is inserted into earring.

Insert the next ring and earring hook and close the jump ring.

Wear and look fabulous!

 

P.S. – I also found a cool way to hang them that doesn’t require rings or tools. They’re called “kidney ear wires” and you simply open and insert through earring! It won’t have the same dangle effect that it does when you use rings or a chain.