DIY Syesha Mercado’s American Idol Earrings

I’m a huge American Idol fan, it’s one of my guilty pleasures. I know it’s going to come down to a David Archuleta vs. David Cook finale, but I am so proud my girl Syesha Mercado is still holding on the best she can. Am the only one who cried like a baby along with her last week when Paula told her she was “living her dream”?

One thing that has caught my eye about her during the season, is that she always wears these really cool thread-wrapped earrings. I’m a sucker for big jewelry, so that scored a few extra votes from me!

I wonder if a friend or family member makes them for her. She wears them almost every week, and in all kinds of different designs and patterns. I’ve seen the style before, but have no idea where to buy a pair. This weekend I fiddled around in my art room and came up with my own Crafty Chica version. They aren’t as spectacularly-patterned as Sy’s, but I love them, and my daughter even wants a pair too!

Here is a video where you can see the earrings (during her taped interview segment):

I used variegated embroidery thread and added a bead at the bottom. On a second pair I used Vickie Howell’s Vegas yarn (it is sparkly). Next, I’m going to work with wire and glass beads and see what happens!

In honor of Syesha – let’s all make some dangly ear bobs and cheer her on for tomorrow night!

Supplies:

Teardrop earring base
Clear fabric adhesive (I used Fabric Fusion)
Colored or metallic embroidery or crochet thread
Needle
Fish hook earrings
2 Small jump ring
2 head pins, ½” each
2 small glass beads
Needle nose pliers

Directions: Remove the label from the embroidery thread and find the end. Cut a 16” strand and tie a double knot at the end. Thread it through the eye of the needle. The teardrop earring base will have a hole in center top, feed the needle through the hole until the end is secure. Take a dab of the clear fabric adhesive and rub it around the edges of the teardrop base. Begin to tightly wrap the thread around the teardrop base, the glue will grip the thread so it will not slide. When you reach the end, glue it in place, and pinch until secure. Use the needle nose pliers to open the jump ring and attach it to the bottom of the tea drop base. Slide the bead on the head pin and use the pliers to bend the end around the jump ring, so the bead dangles.

Variation: Use less strands for a finer look, or thicker thread for a bold finish. Add beads if desired.

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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2008.