Project - Prunelle
Earrings made of chain pendants with feather bouquets
Material
- 12 hen feathers, turquoise
- 2 metal earrings, ball stud with ring, 3 mm, antique copper
- 2 metal earring butterfly clutches, antique copper
- 6 metal crimp tube connectors, antique copper
- 18 cm metal cable chain, 4.3 x 2.5 mm, antique copper
- 6 pheasant feathers, Brown/Black/White
Tools
- Scissors
- G-S hypo glue
- 2 chain nose pliers
- Crimping pliers standard
Making feather bouquets
Step 1
Choose two hen feathers and place them over each other so as for their ends (soft ends) to be even. Measure 2.5 to 3 cm from the ends and cut any excess.
Step 2
Choose a pheasant feather. Measure 2 to 2.5 cm from the ends and cut any excess.
Step 3
Place the pheasant feather on both hen feathers so that the ends of the rachis (the feathers’ main shaft) are even.
Step 4
Put a drop of glue in a crimp tube connector then insert the feathers in it. Take care to place the connector’s ring perpendicularly to the feathers, as illustrated.
Step 5
Using standard crimping pliers, crush the tube in the deepest part of the pliers. Place the feathers and the pliers as illustrated. You will obtain a half-moon shape. The hollow part of the half-moon must be placed behind the feathers.
Step 6
Then, insert the tube in the other part of the pliers jaw, as illustrated. Crush it once more to close the half-moon on itself.
Repeat these steps to make a second identical bouquet.
Step 7
Repeat steps 1 to 6 to make the other four bouquets: Make two of them with hen feathers measuring between 4 to 4.5 cm and 1 pheasant feather of 2.5 to 3 cm. Then, make two bouquets with hen feathers measuring between 5 to 5,5 cm and 1 pheasant feather of 3 to 3.5 cm.
Putting it all together
Step 8
Measure and cut 9.5 cm of chain. Using 2 chain nose pliers, open the 1st link of the chain segment then, insert it into the loop of an earring rod. Close the link.
Step 9
Using the same technique, insert a large feather bouquet to the other extremity of the chain segment.
Step 10
Insert the medium size bouquet of feathers about 6 links high. Then, insert a smaller bouquet about 4 links high, as illustrated.
Repeat these steps to make the second earring.