We're All Ears :: December Inspiration Use your Leftovers Challenge

We're All Ears :: December Inspiration

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Use Your Leftovers challenge sponsored by Erin Prais-Hintz!

This is a perfect challenge for me--use some of my bead leftovers and I have lots.  I usually have multiple beading projects going at the same time.  My beading table is always a mess unless I have cleared it for public viewing which is rare.  The only positive about my mess is that I keep it contained all in one room which I refer to as the "jewelry room".  The door is usually shut when I am not in it because I have 3 beloved cats who could potentially die from swallowing beads, wire, etc.  These cats also like to stretch out all over the table and cause everything to go flying.  The cats are only allowed in there when I am there to supervise.  

My messy beading table

There is only one thing to do with a bead table mess like that this and that is to play: Leftover Transformation Game.  

This is how to play:

First, take a picture of the craftermath from your bead feast. Done

Next, find a divided box, bin, baggies or small bowls and go through the stash on your festive table picking out coordinated sets that you can use to create earrings. They don't need to be same. Put these pieces together with ear wires, chain, findings, etc in each division of the box. Work quickly! Don't take too much time, just focus on filling the sections.Think of this like your staging area for Leftover Transformation.  Done

My Divided Box with Earring Parts

Now, kick your creating into high gear! Consider this a Quickfire challenge...Put on some fun music...Set a timer (challenge yourself to see how many pairs of earrings you can create in an hour...or 15 minutes... or make one pair a day for 7 days... whatever works for you!). DON'T THINK ABOUT IT TOO MUCH (leftovers are supposed to be easy!), just make it happen. Sometimes the best things happen when you are on a deadline and you can't afford the time to overthink! Done

Once I got all of the parts assembled in the box. I decided to focus on earrings that used similar parts. Once I had all of my jump rings, headpins, ear wires and silver out, I focused on using those parts. It turned out to be much more efficient than my usual method of making several very different earrings over a period of days. I created these earrings in a few hours.

Modern Navy Blue Pearl Earrings by BayMoonDesign

For my first pair I made these  fresh navy blue earrings for those who are looking for long oval dangles that have a very retro look to them. These blue earrings feature navy pearls and sterling silver. I love how the sterling silver compliments the blue pearls. The blues in these pearls are gorgeous. I love how these blue geometric earrings are modern looking as well as having a retro look.

Anchor Earrings by BayMoonDesign

These are fun robin egg blue earrings with a nautical theme. I love the look of the light blue cultured sea glass with a silver anchor layered on them. I put them on large sterling silver hoop ear wires. 

Starfish earrings by BayMoonDesign

Next, I used slightly darker blue cultured sea glass beads and layered sterling silver starfish on them.  I use sterling silver ear wires. These are pretty light blue starfish earrings. 

Light Green Geometric Earrings by BayMoonDesign

The last pair that I made are geometric light green earrings. I love the look of the green cultured sea glass with the sterling silver bubble charms layered on them. I also used sterling silver ear wires.

photo credit:: https://unsplash.com/@benwhitephotography

These earrings are great for stocking stuffers.  They also make wonderful gifts for teachers, co-workers and friends.  They are available for purchase in my online store just in time for celebrating all the winter holidays and festivities!

Now, let's see what tasty Leftover Transformation creations are posted on at the blog party.  

A fun challenge--thank you  Erin Prais-Hintz.