Leather Backed Bohemian Earrings

My Leather Backed Bohemian Earrings are for intermediate to advanced beading level skill. These earrings have the vibrancy and eclectic look that I find so attractive about the Bohemian style. The colors and pattern make these earrings really catch the eye. It is a fun winter project for sure. They can be worn no matter your hairstyle as I have demonstrated with my long curly hair. However, since many of these gemstones are not readily available in stores there may be an initial wait time if you choose to stick with the supplies I have listed. This is my first ever instructable project so I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it for you! Let me know if you have any questions and please share pictures of your finished project. Thank you!

1. 4lb. fishing line (Amazon or any sporting goods area in stores)
2. Fine Beadalon needles (Amazon or in Michael's beading area)
3. Sowing scissors
4. Miyuki 11/0 and 15/0 silver seed beads
5. Miyuki 11/0 and 15/0 gunmetal seed beads
6. Miyuki 11/0 white seed beads
7. 2mm red spinel gemstone beads (Etsy)
8. 2mm red jasper gemstone beads (Etsy)
9. 2mm gold spacer beads (Etsy)
10. 4mm chrysanthemum stone beads (Lima Beads)
11. 4mm howlite stone beads (Lima Beads)
12. 6mm sodalite stone beads (Lima Beads)
13. 8mm petrified wood beads (Lima Beads)
14. 8mm larimar stone beads (Lima Beads)
15. Sewing needle (Craft store or Amazon)
16. Blue sewing thread (Craft store or Amazon)
17. Bent chain nose pliers (Craft store or Amazon or Amazon Kit)
18. Ear wire (Craft store or Etsy) or Clip-ons for Non-pierced ears (Joan's or Amazon)
19. 4mm jump ring (Craft store or Amazon)
20. 6mm jump ring (Craft store or Amazon)
21. Thin scrap leather (Etsy)
22. Scrap card stock paper (Craft store)

In this step I am establishing the first beaded circle. I used my fine Beadalon needle and about a yard of fishing line to string the 11/0 gunmetal beads around the 8mm petrified wood bead. I personally like to cut the extra thread off right away. So once I establish my beaded circle, I tie a knot and thread some of the extra thread around the beaded circle. Afterwards, I cut off the excess so I will only have one line to work with.

Now that the first beaded circle was made I moved on to the next beaded circle. I used one 4mm sodalite bead and 11/0 silver beads to encircle it. I always like to reinforce my beaded circles with an extra trip around to make sure they are tight and secure.

Here I am adding a half loop to fill in the empty area between these two circles. This will be repeated three more times later in the design.

Now I began the second silver beaded sodalite circle to mirror the other side. This step ends by beginning the next half loop in the empty area between the two circles.

In this step I worked on filling in two more half loops and adding the 15/0 silver beaded circle by which the earring will hang. I quickly began working around it to get to my next step.

Things begin to move more quickly now. I added one more opposing red spinel bead. From there I established the central beaded circle. The 11/0 white beads really make the 8mm larimar bead pop! Lastly, I completed the final half loop to end this step.

Here I added two red spinel beads and work my way back up to the top of the design to add more 15/0 silver beads. I liked how they framed the silver circle. In order to make things look even I went back down the design and added two more red spinel beads. At the end of this step, I am made a new foundation for another beaded circle.

I finished the chrysanthemum circle and the beaded howlite circle. Unfortunately, to my dismay, I made an error by adding seven alternating 11/0 silver and gunmetal beads. It should have only been SIX alternating beads. I hope you can avoid making the same mistake I did. Sorry!

I began adding two gold beads to frame the howlite circle and then filled in some empty space with a red jasper bead, 15/0 gunmetal bead, and a red spinel bead before I set up for the next sodalite circle.

Now I began working on the silver beaded sodalite circle. I added more red spinel beads and set up for the next chrysanthemum circle.

In this step I completed the opposing beaded chrysanthemum and howlite circles. Now I want to note this is what the howlite circle was intended to look like with six alternating silver and gunmetal beads on the right side. However, the beauty about beaded jewelry is that it often only obvious to someone making the design or if you point out your own mistake to someone else. Here I just decided to cut my losses and moved onto the rest of the design.

More red jasper, 15/0 gunmetal bead, and red spinel was used to fill the empty area of the design. I created another silver beaded sodalite circle and add more red spinel beads. Really! You can never have enough red spinel beads. They are so beautiful!

Here I secured the last howlite beaded circle and prepared to fill in the empty space between the sodalite circles.

I just filled in the empty space with red jasper beads. I really like to avoid empty areas. :) I completed this step by adding more gold beads to the outside of the design.

I continued to work by adding or securing more gold beads to the outside of the design. Once I completed my circuit, I made surgeon knots every so many beads to secure the design. Sure I know people who will tie more than three knots off in one design upon completion, but I stayed with three as I didn't think it needed more. Once I made my last knot I threaded a little more and then cut off the remaining thread.

At this point those who have only made one earring would have to go back to step one to repeat the pattern. For those who have finished two earrings they can proceed to the next step.

I finally had two finished beaded earrings, so I could begin working on the leather backing. I made it simple for myself. I traced my earring design once on card stock paper and cut out the shape. I used that shape to mark my leather twice. After I made my outlines I easily cut out two leather shapes.

From there I lined up the leather with both beaded designs and marked my jump ring hole. After marking it, I cut off the mark which easily made the jump ring holes.

Now I stitched the leather with a yard of blue thread and a needle. I worked my stitches along the edges of each earring. I cut off any excess leather along the way. I finished were I began by stitches and tied off my surgeons knot. This time I cut off the excess without weaving the thread back into the design.

Lastly, I used my pliers to open and close my jump rings. I started from the bottom up. Now just for illustration, I used both ear wire and clip-ons to show what it would look like with either as not everyone has pierced ears. I hope you enjoyed following my project. I realize this project was lengthy so I tried to keep each step as condensed as I could. I thank you for your time and I appreciate your feedback.