a-Pair-a-Day: Learn

Inspiration: Learn.

I spent a decent chunk of today learning about taxes in preparation for my Etsy shop opening next Monday. Reading about employer identification numbers was not nearly as fun as learning how to design today's pair of earrings.

These earrings feature vintage textured gold-plated hoops that appear mildly tarnished with age. Plastic turquoise seed beads have been strung via non-tarnishing gold-plated craft wire inside each of the hoops. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 2 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: It's Electric!

Inspiration: It's Electric!

I have decided to embrace the bright with today's pair, which electric green beads. The color of the beads naturally (naturally) made me thinking of the Electric Slide. I mentioned this to Erik, who informed me that he "must have never heard that song." In response I said, "WHATTTTTT???" This prompted me to find the Electric Slide on YouTube and then perform the dance for Erik. He tried to resist its awesomeness, but I could sense that I was wearing him down. We'll have him sliding in no time!

These earrings feature electric (yes!) green crackled glass beads, which have been strung on non-tarnishing gold-plated craft wire. The gold-plated findings from which the beads hang were created from a vintage belt. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Seeds of Love

Inspiration: Seeds of Love.

The beads used in today's pair remind me of seeds. Also, I've been watching Psych and one of the characters made a Sowing the Seeds of Love reference. So now that's stuck in my head.

These earrings feature crackled tan and black bone beads that hang beneath white and brown bone saucers. The findings were taken from a vintage bracelet. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Forty

Inspiration: Forty.

Today marks the fortieth day in the a-Pair-a-Day project. It feels good.

These earrings feature gray striped metal discs that have a slight crease. The discs were formerly costume jewelry earrings that were attached to stud posts. I removed the posts and punched a hole through each piece. The discs hang from white enamel links that were taken from a vintage necklace. Both the links and the discs appear weathered. The ear wires are stainless steal. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Turn

Inspiration: Turn.

These earrings feature black plastic beads, taken from a vintage necklace. The beads hang via silver craft wire in between purple and white glass tubes. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Float

Inspiration: Float.

I found the vintage pewter drops featured in today's pair at a local flea market on Cape Cod. The engraved seagulls on the drops remind me of a Jonathan Livingston Seagull pendant my mother used to own--very '70s chic.

These earrings feature vintage pewter drops with engraved seagulls. Glass beads, tinted with greens and browns, hang above the drop inside a craft wire hoop. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 1/3 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Fancy Pants

Inspiration: Fancy pants.
Today's pair is based upon a combination of two pairs that I made several years ago. I wear those pairs when I want to feel fancy. Because today's pair is a hybrid, it is SUPER fancy--fancy pants.

Mom pair.

Dad pair.

These earrings feature circular green glass beads held between brass spheres. The beads hang from brass findings taken from a vintage necklace. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 inches in length.

Baby pair.

a-Pair-a-Day: Ask

Inspiration: Ask.

I'm bad at asking for help. I sucked it up last night, though, and asked Erik to watch the baby so that I could work on the pair of earrings featured today. Having that 15 minutes to focus made the difference, causing me to feel less like my head was going to explode with my to-do list. I need to make asking for help my mantra.

These earrings feature cloudy light turquoise and white porcelain beads. Brass findings taken from a vintage bracelet dangle from the beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: True

Inspiration: True.

Sometimes you just know when something feels right. I experienced this delicious feeling of truth while designing these earrings: My focus narrowed, my thoughts slowed down, and (finally) I relaxed. Creating this pair felt right.

These earrings feature brass links reclaimed from a vintage necklace. The links hang from gold craft wire threaded through turquoise beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches.

a-Pair-a-Day: Into

Inspiration: Into the deep. The color and texture of this pair reminds me of the ocean and how lovely it feels to dive into waves.
These earrings feature turquoise and rust marbled stone beads. Attached to them are brass links from a repurposed vintage necklace. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair is approximately 2 1/16 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Spirit

Inspiration: Where the spirit takes you.
This pair features gold-finished fans, reclaimed from a vintage earring set. The fans have engravings of a bird. Above the fans are round wooden beads of tan and black. These earrings can be fanned out to fully show the bird design, or folded in for a more stream-line effect. This pair measures approximately 2 1/3 inches. The ear wires are surgical steel.

a-Pair-a-Day: This Way

Inspiration: This way. Here we go.

These earrings feature repurposed white links from a vintage necklace, which hang inside steel oval rings. The links have a weathered appearance due to age. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures 2 and 1/8 inches, or about three Scrabble tiles.