We're All Ears :: June Inspiration :: Kaleidoscopes

Photo by Frida Aguilar Estrada on Unsplash

June's We're All Ears Challenge inspiration is the kaleidoscope. This reminded me of a simpler time in the past when I was a child.  I am talking about back in the day when there was no Internet or television.  I was 5 years old when my family got a black and white television.  There wasn't colored television.  A kaleidoscope was pretty exciting.  Even though this handheld device meant you had to manually turn a tube of colored bits of glass to make ever-shifting patterns and colors, it brought lots of enjoyment!  I remember my mother cross stitching a kaleidoscope for my children. The cross stitching was on the outside of course.

I was in a panic over making earrings for this challenge.  I would like to have done something with polymer clay, but I'm not there yet.  I thought of  a pair of earrings that I made awhile back.  They were made of paper.  I went to my go to source of creative materials--Etsy and located kaleidoscope paper images.  There were so many choices I needed to decided on a specific size. I went with 1 inch circles.  I also wanted a variety of  colors. 

kaleidoscope paper circles

I purchased the paper on Etsy and downloaded it and printed 4 sheets on heavy, white card stock. I decided early on that these beads would have pattern on front and back. I also thought about putting them into bezels. If you are considering doing a project similar to this, you might consider using bezels at this point.

I used a one inch circular punch on them. I brushed on some Mod Podge on the non pattern side and put them together. I let them dry thoroughly. This left a little white around the edges which I darkened with permanent ink. I used Mod Podge matte. Here you can decide if you prefer a glossy finish versus matte.

Edges darkened to give richer and vintage look

I put some permanent ink carefully around the edges of the paper. This is where you apply the Mod Podge with a brush to the paper circles. This has the effect of sealing and protecting the paper. It also was the added effect of deepening the colors and gives the earrings a bit more weight.

Metal punch for tiny holes

I put on 4 coats of Mod Podge on each side and around the edges. The last step is the best-designing the earrings. I had the option of putting in however many holes I wanted anywhere. I used a metal punch because it cuts tiny holes easily through the paper beads.

Blue Kaleidoscope Earrings by BayMoonDesign

The blue kaleidoscope earrings are perfect as an eco-friendly fashion accessory. These blue and yellow paper earrings are for someone who enjoys repurposed, ooak, or unique earrings. They also are perfect for a first anniversary which is the paper anniversary. Since the blue patterned components are very light weight, this offers lots of design opportunities.

chartreuse earrings by BayMoonDesign

I made these chartreuse earrings by starting with chartreuse and pink kaleidoscope patterned paper. Once again I put some permanent brown ink carefully around the edges of the paper to give an antiqued look. I added chartreuse glass beads and pink lava rock beads. Vintaj ear wires help give the earrings a vintage look.

What do you think of my kaleidoscopes earrings that began with paper ?

Thanks for stopping by and please visit other participants in this challenge and see what they created.