Tuesday 29 May 2012

Ta-dah! Tuesday - Rock n' Roll earrings How-to

In exchange for not complaining about all the second hand shizzle I cart home, I don't whinge about the all the guitars cluttering up my house. [I pretend I mind about this, but I don't really. Who doesn't like a boy with a guitar?]. Anyway, there are usually plectrums [guitar picks] everywhere as well, and whilst they can be plain and functional and boring, you can also get them with all kinds of  logos and pictures. I found these Sex Pistols God Save the Queen ones on eBay, and thought they'd be perfect for making earrings for the upcoming Jubilee! 

Cool, huh?

[Incidentally, speaking of Jubilee crap, go and read my latest eBay post. I research these things for YOU! There's also a Jubilee giveaway on my Facebook page. It includes the chance to see Prince Philip in his long-johns Harry in his pants]

I added red white and blue beads to the the pair above, which required eyepins and cutting nippers, but the instructions below are for a slightly more simple pair, as not everyone has all the equipment. It's pretty easy to do beaded stuff and use pins - I taught myself the very basic technique off the internet - but you would need proper round nose pliers too. 

If you want to make your own earrings, you'll need:
  • Plectrums - I used these 'grave picker' skull ones from eBay
  • Jump rings and earring wires
  • pliers
  • Blue tack
  • A drawing pin, or old sewing machine needle and hammer, depending on the thickness of your plectrums.

[You could also probably use a small drill bit, but I'm all about the least equipment possible.]



  1. The only vaguely tricky part of making these is making the hole for your jump ring to go through. Plectrums come in different weights and thicknesses so you'll need to assess which method will be best depending on what type you have. If possible, have a spare to practise on first, because they're prone to cracking. The Sex Pistols ones were thin enough to enough to pierce with a drawing pin, the skulls needed a bigger needle. Either way, don't try to go all the way through in one go because you'll probably break it. Make an indent - with your blue-tack underneath to keep the plectrum steady and so you don't ruin your table - then flip it over and continue on the other side. Keep alternating sides until you break through. An old sewing machine needle worked really well for me, and I just  whacked it with the hammer as though it was a nail.
  2. Open a jump ring with pliers - jewellery ones are best, but any small enough will work at a push  - slide through the hole you made, and close again. 
  3. Open another jump ring and slide one end through the first ring, the other through an earring wire. Close up again. Ta-dah!
  4. Repeat for the matching one. Or just wear one, in edgy rock and roll fashion.


Perfect for the PTA


Slash and friends

I'd love you to link up if you have any makes, bakes, finds, or fabulous outfits worthy of a ta-dah! Please include a link to Ta-dah! Tuesday in your post, so others can join in. It would be great if you could find the time to visit some other participants too, if you don't already follow their blog.



Lakota x

I am also linking up with Liz's Jubilee Round Up.

Here's my favourite Rock and Roll nerd, Tim Minchin.

34 comments:

  1. They look freaking amazing Lakota! A set for Jubilee and a set for Hallowen or when ever you're feeling edgy! xx

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  2. You have a man with guitars AND you can make earrings??? You have it all! You're living the good life! I have 'raspberry' antibiotic syrup. You are a rock star. Sarah xxx

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  3. God save the queen pleccy earrings - PURE GENIUS.

    As Mr. Bee loves to say PUNK'S NOT DEAD!!!

    Rock on.

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  4. I must have Queenie earrings NOW!!!!!! Oh, I have to get orf me arse and make them now, I have no excuse after your very considerate tutorial:))). I LOVE Tah-Dah Tuesday!!! xxx

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  5. Pyf has a box full of plectrums including some really awesome picture ones but he'd never let me turn them into earrings! This is such a brilliant idea and definitely one to keep in mind for future projects! I love the gravepicker skulls so much! You're the coolest Lakota! xxx

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  6. Cool, Lakota. I bow down to your genius yet again. xx

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  7. Wah, who knew there were god save the queen plectrums out there??!! Yeesh!
    Must get my shmoop together and link up with you next Tuesday.xx.

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  8. I remember collecting quite a few plectrums in my youth (stealing from my brother), I always thought they were pretty cool. I love what you've done, gotta love some Punk angst! xxx

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  9. Genius! You're one of the few people who make things which I would feel confident to try. That's a compliment, by the way!
    Have you filled your earring store yet?

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    1. Thank you - that IS a compliment and what I aim for! I am all about low maintenance and short cuts (Do not allow me to fix your car)

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  10. Totally brilliant! And of all the people to track down GSTQ plectrums, it would be you;) xx

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  11. Those 'God save the Queen' earrings are fab! You creative thing you! :) Thanks for sharing how they were made as well..I always get put off when you have to buy a load of tools etc to make something, so I like the fact that this only requires a few things.

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  12. You are a genius.

    Can you out-do Hendrix though and play geetar with your earrings?

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  13. These are fantastic,so perfect for the Julilee!

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  14. Brilliant!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  15. Rock and roll baby! Love these, such a fab and simple idea. x

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  16. What brilliant idea. I could also see these being used as keyrings or something to put on the school bookbag to make them stand out from all the others.

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  17. I love them they look amazing and are really different.

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  18. Queen earrings Jubilee idea is awesome!
    You creative biatch!
    Skeleton earring are perfect for Halloween or for any rock chick whore.
    I must look for Buddy's guitar picks now.
    I'm still looking for a blue jubilee dress.
    Besotes

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  19. Those earrings are fantastic, I wonder if Jon's got any groovy plectrums lurking around his collection? x

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  20. Oh you ladies with your guitar hero menfolk... 'snot fair, mine doesn't have plectrums for me to play with! (That sounds vaguely Carry On-ish, but you know what I mean!) Great job, love the earrings, perfect for Jubilee fever!
    PS. The kids have a Jubilee-themed day at school on Thurs and can dress up, wear red/white/blue, make a crown, etc. If I had anything about me at all, I'd knock up 3 Sex Pistols God Save the Queen ripped t-shirts for them to wear! xxx

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  21. I love guitar pick earrings, they are so cool. And lucky you for having them laying around the house. I linked up today, my cat shoes. I wore them again.

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  22. Sex Pistols earrings - yes please!! This is such a good idea. I've been dying to link up with TDT for the last couple of weeks but I haven't gotten around to photographing all my charity shop finds and putting them into a coherent post yet. Maybe next week!

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  23. Loving the god save the queen earrings! Fab idea!
    Victoria xx

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  24. Loving the Sex Pistols earrings! What a fantastic idea, thanks for sharing!

    Barrina x

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  25. Brilliant idea! I have a friend who has a Plectrum punch so I will be on him to punch me some interesting ones for earrings! I second the 'show things I'd actually try comment'- you make things approachable!

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  26. Another rock star idea just as cool as those nail polish rings! So your writing a children's book? Go gurl! Did I miss something? DO tell. :) I loved Vix's DIY floral bikini too ;p

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  27. my TA DAAAA for yesterday was quitting one of my jobs to volunteer at the National Trust!

    I've got some plectrum earrings - CBGB ones, though I prefer yours!

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  28. I love your earrings Lakota! If you keep it up you will have to open your own jewelry store!
    =D

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  29. These are fab! Even I could probably make them!

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  30. These are so bloody cool! Love it! Scarlett x

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