Simple Bead Earrings

(or, "How many ways can you
stack beads on a headpin?")

© by Rena Klingenberg; all rights reserved

Simple bead earrings basically involve stacking beads on a headpin. However, the infinite possibilities make it an endlessly fascinating art form - especially for bead addicts!

Here are a few thoughts you may want to consider as you experiment with bead combinations for simple earrings:

Contrasts interest the eye.

Although the pair of earrings below use only malachite, there are two different shades of it - as well as two different shapes of it. These simple contrasts make for a more visually interesting design:

My "Irish earrings" - two shades of malachite

Color is power.

These earrings are tiny, but their colors pack a powerful punch. Putting the most brilliant color (bright red) at the bottom of the design, where the earring swings the most, makes these little jewels quite eye-catching:

"Autumn gems" that I wear a lot in the Fall

Don't crowd focal beads.

If you use a focal bead that has a lot of visual interest, keep the rest of your design minimal. These irridescent paua shell beads glow with color:

Colorful paua shells paired with tiny black beads

Asymmetry is interesting.

Purposely making earrings that aren't a perfect match is a nice change. Here's a low-key example of asymmetry with two jasper beads that have different patterns:

Picturesque flower jasper topped with goldstone

Pair a striking color with neutrals.

Let a powerful color take center stage. Here, the tiny rainbow moonstone and silver beads enhance the earring design without competing with the birds' deep turquoise color:

Hand-carved turquoise fetish birds with rainbow moonstone

Geometry is powerful.

These simple bead earrings make a strong statement with just a triangle and a sphere:

Picture jasper window beads with hematite rounds

Design by serendipity.

Another fun way to design simple bead earrings is what I call "serendipity art".

It happens when you've been getting jewelry supplies out, but not putting them away again. (Am I the only one who does that?) :o)

Anyway, all these left-out beads and colors wind up next to each other in beautiful combinations all over your jewelry workspace, designing themselves in wonderful ways you wouldn't have thought of otherwise!