Lend Me Your Gears - Earrings

A free earring project featuring wooden gear links painted with Adirondack® alcohol inks, from Rings & Things.

As seen in the Rings & Things Spring Supplement 2011
Created by: Amy Mickelson

Suggested Materials:
2 #29-796-16 19mm (0.75") round wooden gears, maple
2 #29-795-17 25mm (1") round wooden gears with spokes, maple
2 #29-795-18 25mm (1") round wooden fancy gears, maple
2 #44-300-0 16mm sprocket blanks, raw brass
2 #44-498-0 19mm smooth round disks, raw brass
2 #31-112 12mm superior quality flat-pad earring posts, surgical stainless steel (not shown)
2 #33-235-2 Extra-secure nut with plastic flange and rubber grip, yellow (not shown)

Tools and supplies:
E-6000® adhesive (#60-265)
Adirondack® Alcohol Inks (lettuce #86-110-007), (raspberry #86-110-053), (stream #86-110-001)
fine-point paintbrush
disposable rubber gloves
matte finish Mod Podge®

TIPS:
* Apply alcohol inks to each side of the wood charms with a paintbrush. Paint one side at a time, allowing the ink to dry before painting the other side.

* Consider wearing disposable gloves if you are prone to being messy while painting.

* Plan the gear layout before gluing. Apply glue only where it is needed, not the entire back surface of the sprocket.

* Seal the colorized wood charms with Mod Podge.

For additional details about techniques used in this design, see:
Gluing Hints for Metal Findings

To view our jewelry-making technique sheets (PDF files), you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it free here.

View more free jewelry design ideas, peruse our complete list of free jewelry-making technique sheets, or search our design gallery. Post questions on the Rings & Things Discussion Forum. Don't be shy! If you're wondering, so is someone else!

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