We're All Ears :: 5th Annual Use Your Leftovers Challenge!

Photo of a pile of Legos by Rick Mason on Unsplash

In my mind this photo shows how I think my craft table looks. Not a pretty sight! In reality it is always a mess. I am trying to do better. Using a muffin tin or any kind of divided tray that holds parts has given me much needed structure.

I look forward to this challenge every year because I love to make earrings and I sell more of them than anything else. I had an especially good holiday season and I need to start thinking of spring designs as well as resupply my popular sellers. I am also trying to embrace my new motto:

NO SHOPPING WHATSOEVER. USE WHAT YOU HAVE.

My muffin tin with earrings parts

I have some gorgeous beads by Susan Kennedy of SueBeads that I wanted to used. I put them in my muffin tin first and worked with them first to insure they end up as two new pairs of spring earrings. I also put some parts to popular earrings. I placed these beads and parts together with ear wires, findings, etc in each division of the tin.

I have a long list of things to do so I made up my mind that I would devote one week to this. I was originally trying to create one pair a day and get all six made in one week. I only got four made but I did get the earrings with Susan's beads done and I am very happy with them. So rather than beat myself up about not making my goal, I celebrated by photographing and listing them on Etsy.

Modern Pink and Black Earrings by BayMoonDesign

I love the black dots and dashes on the lampwork beads by Susan Kennedy. I imagined them as becoming a pair of modern looking earrings. I used some tiny pink and black beads to create stripes for a fun and contemporary look in these pink and black earrings. I combined beautiful artisan lampwork with sterling silver.

Modern Orange Earrings by BayMoonDesign

These handmade modern orange and white floral earrings combine beautiful artisan lampwork with sterling silver. The orange dangles have a contemporary look to them. I used some tiny orange and white floral beads to create a fun look. This orange and white jewelry is a perfect gift or fashion accessory.

The orange and white lampwork beads are made by artist Sue Kennedy.

Navy Blue Earrings by BayMoonDesign

I have found these natural sodalite stones are popular with my customers.  I made these navy blue earrings for those who are looking for long dangles that have a very retro look to them. These blue earrings showcase the natural sodalite stones in sterling silver teardrops. I love how the sterling silver compliments the blue sodalite. 

Pink Agate Earring by BayMoonDesign

I bought a string of these pink agate stones that I use either upright to look like hearts or upside down to look like teardrops.  These are pale pink heart earrings for those who are looking for heart shaped dangles. These pink earrings feature natural agate stones and sterling silver. I love how the sterling silver compliments the pink. The pink and grays in these stones are gorgeous. These pink geometric earrings are modern looking.

Which pair is your favorite? I am looking forward to seeing how others did with this challenge.  This is a blog hop so make sure to head over to the Earrings Everyday We're All Ears and see what others created.  You might get inspired!

Thank you Erin Prais-Hintz for this inspiration.