How to Design Silver Stud Earrings

Designing jewelry can be extremely rewarding. If you enjoy custom ordering or creating your own jewelry, then designing a pair of silver stud earrings can be a great way to spend a pleasant afternoon or evening. Because stud earrings are smaller than most earrings, they are a great item to start out with if you have not done much designing. Determining how to make the silver stud earrings look best with the shape of the ear and the flow of the body will help you learn about design and what you personally like best in earrings.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Small beads in different shapes
• Mirror

Instructions

1. Look at your ears carefully in the mirror. Note how the lobes are shaped, and where the holes for the pierced earrings are located. These things will impact the size and shape of your silver stud earrings.

2. Think about your design's basic shape. You may want to sketch some shapes on paper or write notes about what type of earrings you will be making. You should think about shapes, such as whether you want a clearly recognizable shape, like a sea turtle or a dolphin, or whether you prefer a more abstract geometric shape. Some people also prefer each stud to have a different shape that corresponds to the other shape, such as a heart and a key. Draw your final shape selection on the paper.

3. Consider the decoration and design elements. Once you have selected the shape of your earrings, you will need to determine what type of design you want. You might want to have etched abstract designs, or you might prefer small, shiny accents. You also should consider whether you want the surface of the silver simply polished smooth. Draw these factors onto the shapes in the locations that you want them.

4. Decide what types of accessories you will be using. You might like to use small rhinestones, swarovski crystals or even gemstones to brighten your silver earrings. You should clearly label on your design what type of decoration each design element should have. For example, if you have designed a pair of silver skull earrings, then you could give those skulls red eyes that were red rhinestones or rubies. Remember that these elements can dramatically impact the price of your finished design.

5. Present your design for silver stud earrings to a jewelry maker. The jewelry maker will be able to review practical issues with you like how the accents will interact with the silver and whether your shapes are going to be too large or too heavy to wear as earrings. Once you have completed this final review with the jeweler, then you are ready to commission your custom silver stud earrings.