- Earrings can be assembled almost instantly using kidney wires. Kidney wires are ear wires with an open loop formed from part of the wire, meaning that jump rings can be omitted. Sequins can be used to make instant kidney wire earrings, especially leaf-shaped or other motif sequins. The sequin is simply threaded onto the kidney wire so that it hangs in the open loop. Sequins with the hole near one end work best.
- Professional looking earrings can be assembled from pre-made ear wires, jump rings and charms. A jump ring, opened with pliers, is slipped through the loops on the charm and on the ear wire and closed again. Bracelet charms can make attractive earrings, as can charms found in the scrapbooking supply section of craft stores. Metal charms can be used for an elegant look; plastic charms in bright colors can look fun and funky.
- Simple ear drops can be made by mounting beads on headpins, making a loop in the pin and then attaching it to the ear wire. A single accent bead with one or two small plain beads makes an attractive drop. Alternatively, beads of a similar size and shape can be stacked onto longer pins. Lamp-worked glass beads are good for this kind of project. Care must be taken to choose beads that are not too heavy. This basic technique can be varied to create all sorts of looks; stacks of crystal beads can make elegant, formal looking earrings while beads in flower and leaf shapes can be used for a natural look.
- Many small items can be recycled to make quick and easy ear drops. Soda can tabs can be joined together with jump rings or woven onto ribbon or cord, then attached to ear wires. Shapes can be cut from clear plastic soda bottles, punched with small holes and threaded onto ear wires. Paper ear drops can be made by cutting images from an old magazine and laminating them with contact paper or clear duct tape.
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