Bling Channel Earrings Tutorial

Create these great Bling Channel Earrings with bits of Rhinestone Cup Chain and a little Crystal Clay. These earrings are fairly easy to make. Dressed with jeans or a fancy outfit for a night on the town these versatile earrings can easily transition from casual to formal.

Bling Channel Earrings Tutorial

Designer: Becky Nunn

Supplies Needed:

1 Pair of Earring Post Channel Antique Gold (epc-gb)
8” Rhinestone Chain 18ss Antique Gold (rc18-gb)
1 Package Crystal Clay Black (btwtes-eck)

Tools Needed:

1 Pair of Flush Cutter Pliers (plfc)

Other:

Wet Wipes (for cleaning)
A toothpick or Head Pin (for cleaning)

STEP 1:
Each of the Channel Post Earrings will hold 17 of the crystal cups for the rhinestone chain. Count out two strips of 17 crystal cups. This equals approximately 8”. Rhinestone Chain is connected with retractable links. When cutting the chain with the Flush Cutter Pliers, be sure to cut as close to the crystal cups as possible. Otherwise, there could be a piece of the retractable metal that will slip in and out of the cup chain.

Step 2:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the handling and mixing of the Crystal Clay. While wearing gloves, pinch off two equal sized balls of Part A and Part B and blend together fully until the clay is no longer marbled and is uniform in color. You have approximately 2 hours of working time before the clay starts to harden, so take your time.

STEP 3:
Once the clay is thoroughly blended, you can take off your gloves to work with the clay. Roll the clay into a smooth round ball in the palm of your hands. Then roll the clay into a rope-like shape.

Step 4:
Gently lay the rope shape of Crystal Clay into the Earring Post Channel starting at one end. Try to apply enough of the clay to cover the base, but not so much that it is overflowing the sides. I use my thumb to push the clay forward into the channel while pulling the clay with my other hand. This will feel clumsy at first, but just keep going. The goal is to get a thin layer of clay into the base of the channel.

Step 5:
Once the Crystal Clay has filled the base of the Earring Post Channel, take one piece of rhinestone cup chain you cut from step one and start to embed it into the clay. Begin at one end of the earring post and gently press the first crystal cup into the clay. Keeping the chain retracted and the crystal cups close together, continue to lay all 17 of the crystal cups into the clay.

Step 6:
Once the chain is gently pressed into the slay, you can go back and press down the crystal cups a little more firmly to embed the Rhinestone Cup Chain into the Crystal Clay. Some Crystal Clay may ooze up the sides. Use the headpin or toothpick to scrape away any excess.

Step 7:
Use a wet wipe along the edges of the Rhinestone Cup Chain and the Earring Post Channel to clean up any excess Crystal Clay. Try to clean up as you go, as any remaining Crystal Clay will dry like hard cement.

Step 8:
Repeat steps 1 – 7 to make the complete pair of this sweet set. Aren’t they lovely!

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Tutorials