You can play around with the length of fringe on these earrings inspired by the Grand Canyon. Make them as short or as long as you would like them! My earrings in total length are just over 6". My longest fringe is 4-3/4". See alternate image at bottom, to see how these look when being worn!
Created by: Summer Melaas
Designer Tips
Cut approx. 18mm of leather. Picot edge stitch the short side. When you reach the longer side, just do a single edge stitch (7 stitched beads in length). Trim any excess leather away and finish up the second short side with a picot edge stitch. Weave thread down to the single edge-stitch beads.
Pinch crimp end onto the leather (non-beaded edge into the crimp) using nylon-jaw pliers. Be aware that this crimp end has a front and a back side. Make sure both earrings match up!
Continued Below...
Designer Tips, Continued
Coming out the bottom left edge bead, randomly add size 11 seed beads and 3mm crystals until you reach the longest length desired. End with one heishi spacer, 1 size 8 seed and 1 size 11 seed. Skipping over the last size 11 seed bead added, run your needle and thread back up through all the beads in the fringe and into the one seed off the leather.
Weave needle and thread into the next bead off the leather.
Create fringe again, making it about 5mm shorter than the first.
Keep repeating the fringe, each one getting slightly shorter until all 7 fringes are done.
Tie off remaining thread.
Repeat all previous steps for other earring, only this time make the longer fringe starting on the bottom right edge bead. This will make the fringe angle the opposite from the other side.
Cut 3" of wire. Make a wrapped loop and attach it to the loop of the crimp end. Add a bead cap, 6mm bead, 1 size 8 seed, 1 size 11 seed. Wire wrap a loop, and cut off excess wire. Open loop at bottom of earring hook, and attach the earring. Repeat for other earring. New to jewelry-making? For step-by-step instructions on making wrapped loops, and most secure way to open and close jump rings, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).
This pair of earrings uses approximately 120 3mm bicone crystals total (4 dozen of each color). Depending on your budget, level of sparkle desired, and the length of your earrings, add or subtract as desired.
