How to Make Watercolor Chick Earrings With Easy Steps
Watercolor Peep earrings are colorful, playful accessories perfect for adding a fun seasonal touch to your outfits. These sweet chick earrings are lightweight and unique, making them great for Easter celebrations or just showing off a pop of springtime flair. You can wear them as earrings, turn them into matching pins, or display them as charming decor.
Creating your own Watercolor Peep earrings is simple and enjoyable! You start with sturdy watercolor paper and use a lightweight mold to shape adorable bows and patterns. Paint your pieces in soft, pastel colors like pink, sprinkle some glitter, and gently decorate them with details, such as dots for eyes or fun embellishments. Seal everything with an epoxy resin for a polished and durable finish. Once dry, you just add a jump ring and earring back, and they’re ready to wear!
Credit JoAnn Barrandey
Materials & Tools Needed:
- Watercolor Paper
- 300 lb. cold press watercolor paper (e.g., poster board-sized paper from Hobby Lobby).
Tip: If you can’t find it in-store, it’s also available online.
- 300 lb. cold press watercolor paper (e.g., poster board-sized paper from Hobby Lobby).
- Model Magic Clay
- Used to make the small bow accents for the earrings.
- Mold with Bow Shapes
- A silicone mold with small bow shapes (commonly found at local craft stores like Hobby Lobby).
- Scissors
- Any pair will work, but heavy-duty ones are ideal.
- Jump Rings
- Small gold rings to attach the earrings to hooks.
- Paints
- Acrylic Paint (Cameo Pink by Apple Barrel from Walmart was used).
- Glitter
- Chunky glitter (e.g., “Pink Party”) and fine Prisma glitter.
- Needle or Nail
- Used to make a small hole for the jump ring.
- Hot Glue Gun
- Used to adhere the bow to the earring.
- Embellishments
- Tiny embellishments like gem stickers for decoration.
- Epoxy Resin
- Two-part epoxy resin (liquid clear and hardener).
- Popsicle Sticks
- For mixing epoxy resin.
- Wax Paper
- Surface protection for working with resin.
Important Notes:
- Prepping Watercolor Paper: The paper is very thick and can be difficult to cut. Soak it in water for a few minutes and let it soften before cutting detailed designs.
- Customization: This tutorial is designed to make earrings, but the same method can be used to create pins or other seasonal jewelry items.
- Epoxy Resin Safety: Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when handling epoxy. A mask is recommended for larger projects.
- Dry Time: Allow all painted and glued pieces to dry before proceeding to the next step.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to create the earrings as described in the tutorial:
Prepare the Bow Accents
- Take a small amount of Model Magic Clay and press it into the smallest bow shape on the silicone mold.
- Roll the clay inside the mold to ensure the bow has a sharp, defined shape.
- Place the mold in the freezer for a short time to help easily pop out the bow.
- Repeat to create two bows for the pair of earrings.
- Once dry, paint the bows white. Sprinkle fine Prisma glitter on them immediately while the paint is still wet. Let them dry to a hard finish.
Trace and Cut the Earring Shape
- Sketch a peep-shaped template on a projector sheet or plastic sheet (if you’d like to reuse it).
- Trace the peep shape onto a piece of 300 lb. cold press watercolor paper.
- Cut out the peep shapes. If the paper is too thick to cut easily, dip it in water and let it soak for a few minutes to soften it. This trick makes cutting detailed shapes much easier.
- Dry the paper shapes completely before the next step.
Paint and Glitter the Peep Shapes
- Paint the peep shapes with Cameo Pink acrylic paint (or your preferred color).
- If the paint is too thin, apply a second coat after the first dries.
- While the paint is still wet, sprinkle chunky glitter across the surface. Be mindful to avoid adding glitter on the face area where you’ll paint the eyes later.
- Allow the shapes to dry completely.
Create Holes for Jump Rings
- Use a needle or small nail to make a hole at the top of the peep shape while it is still slightly damp.
- Push the needle through, wiggle gently, and then repeat from the back to ensure the hole is clean.
- Allow the shapes to dry fully before decorating them further.
Add Details to the Peeps
- Use brown acrylic paint or a fabric paint pen (like Dollar Tree’s Hot Chocolate Scribbles) to paint the eyes on the peeps.
- Place two small dots for the eyes.
- Using a hot glue gun, attach the dried clay bow to the peep’s head.
- Add embellishments (e.g., small blue or yellow gems) to the center of the bow.
Seal with Epoxy Resin
- Mix epoxy resin in a small disposable cup.
- Combine equal parts of the clear resin and hardener. Stir for 60 seconds until well combined.
- Note: This step is critical to sealing the earrings and creating a professional, glossy look.
- Use your gloved fingers (or a small craft brush) to apply the resin evenly across the front and back of the earring.
- Make sure the resin gets into all the small creases to create a smooth finish.
Attach the Hooks and Finish
- Once the epoxy resin has fully dried, attach jump rings and earring hooks to the peep shapes using pliers.
- If you want the earrings to dangle, ensure the hooks are aligned properly with both jump rings and earrings.
Final Tips:
- If you prefer making other seasonal designs, you can customize shapes (e.g., snowmen, cacti for Cinco de Mayo, etc.) using the same process.
- Consider using a wet wipe during painting to keep your hands clean and prevent smudging.
- Experiment with embellishments like glitter types or gem placements to create unique, eye-catching designs.
