How to Make Native American Beaded Earrings

Find all supplies for beaded earrings at bead shops.

The striking jewelry created by Native Americans reflects their reverence for earth elements. Silver and turquoise beads are traditional components of Native American handiwork, and the beads can be fashioned into beautiful earrings and necklaces. This pair of beaded earrings also includes a silver replica of a feather, a reference to the soaring Native American spirit. The project requires just a few tools and no special skills, and would be great for a teenage birthday-party craft session.

Things You'll Need

• 4 medium-sized silver beads
• 2 medium-sized turquoise beads
• 2 silver earring wires
• 28-guage silver wire
• Wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers
• Small silver feather pendent

Instructions

1. Cut a 3-inch piece of silver wire. Insert the wire into a silver bead, with 1 inch of wire protruding from the bead hole.

2. Grasp the short section of the wire with the needle nose pliers. Twist the wire into a circle. Cut off excess wire.

3. Insert the opposite end of the wire into the turquoise bead and the second silver bead. Twist the protruding wire into a circle and cut off excess.

4. Attach the silver feather by opening one bead end circle slightly, slipping the silver feather circle in, and closing the bead end circle.

5. Attach the ear wire by opening the opposite bead end circle slightly, slipping the ear wire in, and closing the bead end circle.

6. Repeat all steps for a second earring.

References

• Beautiful Beads; Alexandra Kidd; Chilton Book Company, Radnor, Pennsylvania; 1994