Silver Leaf Earrings Tutorial

Prep forms: Remove any protective film from the wooden leaf forms and decide front/back. Paint or mark if you want color variations; let dry completely before beading. Secure thread & start point: Thread a comfortable length (≈2–3 ft). Tie a small knot or anchor on the back of the form, or start with a stop bead near the end if you prefer. Position your start at the leaf top where the ear wire will attach. Begin brick-stitch outer edge: Exit at the top edge hole or drilled notch. Pick up 2 × 15/0, lay them against the edge, then pass the needle under the next edge hole (or through the drilled guide) and sew back through the second 15/0 to lock. This creates the first brick stitch unit. Continue around contour: Repeat: pick up 2 (or 1 depending on spacing) 15/0s, step down under the next edge point, and stitch back through the new bead(s). Group beads slightly at points/corners (3 beads) to ease the curve — this prevents gaps and keeps bead tension even. Bridge the bottom curve / point: At the leaf tip or pronounced curve, add grouped beads (e.g., 3 × 15/0) per step to fill the angle smoothly. Work slowly through tight curves so the beadwork hugs the wood. Complete outer row and secure thread: When you reach the start, overlap a few beads and pass through them to tighten the join. Make 1–2 reinforcement passes along the last 6–8 beads, then route the thread to the back and tie or burn/bury the tail securely. Optional interior filling / texture lines: To add depth, stitch parallel bead lines across the interior: exit an interior notch, pick up a short string of 15/0s, tack them down across a small span and sew back through to secure. Repeat symmetry on the matching piece for a paired look. Attach the wire guard: Exit the topmost outer bead where the ear wire will sit. Add a short loop of 11/0s (2–4 beads) if you like, then pass the thread through the wire guard, back through the beads and the guard again (2–3 passes total). Pull snug so the guard nests against the bead edge. Finish & hide tails: After securing the guard, weave the thread into nearby bead bridges on the back, make a small weaver’s knot if desired, then trim and zap (or apply fray-fixer). If you used glue for extra hold, allow to cure fully. Attach ear wire & final check: Slip the ear wire onto the wire guard (open sideways), close, inspect symmetry and bead spacing, and adjust any loose beads with a final pass.