DIY Stag Earrings

okay, another anthro knock off...i just couldn't resist this one because it's so similar to my antler necklace.   the photo on the left is my inspiration from anthropologie: crowned stag earrings for $198!!  you can find it here .  the photo on the right is my cheapo version made out of sculpey. 

supplies:
-2 fish hook earrings
-2 jump rings
-polymer clay
-(2) 1 inch pieces of wire
-pliers
-paint (optional)

it's really pretty simple, just shape the clay into the general shape of the antler.  then gradually start to the taper everything down so it doesn't look so chunky (unless you want it to look that way).  bake according to the clay you're using.  using your pliers, make a small loop on one end of each piece of wire.  insert the straight end of the wire into the end of the antler after you finish sculpting it.  attach the antlers to the fish hooks using the jump rings. 

i used some gloss white nail polish as a finish on mine but you could make them any color...

and that's it..seriously...you just made a knock off of $200 earrings for probably less than $5!?  crazy right?  i mean sure the anthro version is a lot more thin/delicate looking than mine and made out of mammoth ivory but still...i'd rather have my $5 version.

linking up here.

My entry into Make the Scene Monday #33  is sponsored by Appliances Online & Bosch Washing Machines.

antler pendant

here's part two of my mini series on making jewelry from one pack of sculpey.

i may have 'lost' the photos of the process for this one (in other words i forgot to take them)...but here's the result!!  fake modeling grass makes an interesting backdrop for white jewelry oddly enough, especially nature inspired jewelry.

 

 and for scale here it is in the palm of my hand:

i found that this piece depends heavily on texture to really bring it to life.  however, you could leave it fairly smooth and pain it a neon color (which seems to be all the craze lately).  i had originally planned on using some neon highlights but i thought it might detract from all the texture i painstakingly added.  

if you want your own little antler pendant, start by shaping a small piece of clay in the antler style of your choice.  again you can leave it smooth or you can add lots of texture (my sculpture prof back in college was all about texture and i think it's rubbed off on me lol).  i used a tooth pick to get all the grooves and to make all the little pits and knobs.  

Tip:  if you want a wider grooves just sand the tip of your toothpick down.  

deer antlers also tend to get somewhat knobby near the base so you can add in some of those as well.  then add a slight curve to each of the prongs and bake/dry.  

Tip:  if the sculpey starts getting too warm/tacky pop it in the freezer for a couple minutes to stiffen it up again. 

i painted my antler white and sealed it with some mod podge-i like the simple, almost ceramic look it has.  

be sure to view the whole mini series for more ideas on clay jewelry!!

linking up here: