Salvaged and Wrapped Washer Earrings

Last week I was over at SYTYC sharing these Funky Chunky Wrapped Earrings... in case you missed it, I thought I'd post it here, since I think it's a fairly easy, inexpensive idea for a Christmas present.  And just so you know, I really will have more of this in my shop soon.  I swear it.

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Now, if you're like me, you're always on the lookout for fun and unique stocking stuffer and gift ideas.  Similarly: if you're like me, you've procrastinated until the last second.  So you're REALLY looking ideas.  Today I've got a simple and inexpensive gift idea for you that's got a big impact.


First off, you'll need:
2 medium-sized washers
2 small-sized washers
Embroidery floss in 2-3 coordinating colors
A large needle
4 small jump rings
Fish hook earrings with backs

OK, so these washers are salvaged hardware I found at the Habitat for Humanity Restore, so they were like 5 cents a piece.  And everything else, I had in my stash.  So although you may not want to admit it to your recipient, these gifts are perfect for the frugally minded giver.  


First up, grab your small washer.  Thread your huge needle with your first color choice.  Pull the floss through the middle of the washer from back to front leaving a tail.

Pull the floss around the washer and through the middle a few more times, making sure to overlap that tail while you're wrapping the washer up.  You want it to stay nice and secure.

Now just keep on wrapping.  Take it from me, the needle is totally necessary to this craft.  I would have gone insane trying to pull that floss through the little center without help.

When the whole washer is wrapped in floss, 

Take your needle off and tie the tail to the free end of the floss in a double knot.

Then just trim the ends.


Wrap all four washers this way - two with one color and two with the other.  Unless you want to get all wacky.

Now you need to attach a jump ring the the bottom of the medium washer.  I found a good trick - just stick your needle into the floss where you want your jump ring.  Make sure to go under a few strands of floss, not just one.  Then, push your jump ring under right where the gap from the needle is.  WAYYYYY easier than trying to wiggle the jump ring through without the gap.  

Before you close that jump ring, make sure to slide it over a few strands of floss on the top of the small washer - use the needle/gap trick again.  Then close it up.  

The jump ring there is for some extra security.  But now you're going to add some oomph with a contrasting shade of floss.


Just thread your needle up,

And wrap this around both washers where they connect a few times in random pattern.  Remember to leave a tail, then tie off the free end to the tail on the back.  The back will look like this:

And the front will look super cool.

But we need some functionality.  So how about turning into an earring?  Attach another jump ring to the top of the medium washer.  See the needle trick again?  Works like a charm.

And slide your fish hook earring on before you close it up and nice and tight.

Repeat steps 7-13 with the other two washers so you've got a pair.

And that's one cute and unique piece of jewelry for the fashionista on your shopping list!

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What do you mean you want to see new stuff?  What do you mean I'm getting boring?  What do you mean you're thinking of deleting me from your google reader?  I'm trying, I'm trying!

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