These Anthropologie Hue Pyramid earrings are the reason I made paper beads in the first place. They were so fab that they motivated me to learn the bead-making skill. They’re definitely bold statement earrings, and I sometimes feel a little conspicuous like “hey! everyone! I’m wearing really big and colorful earrings!” But luckily it’s nothing a little pep-talk can’ fix: Work these earrings. Own these earrings.
my version: cheap–I had all the supplies beforehand, so I spent zilch.
Anthropologie’s version: $98
So as promised, here’s the tutorial:
Supplies
-Some pretty paper beads. Make sure to make an array of colors and also various sizes–you’ll need some small ones for the top of the triangle.
-An anvil. You don’t need one–I managed fine without one, but that’s what you’re supposed to have according to that jewelry making book I checked out. I used a small sheet of steel that my husband had lying around his research lab. Don’t have any steel lying around? Umm, get creative. You need something really hard. (fire-hydrants?!)
-16 gauge gold jewelry wire. About 1 foot.
-22 gauge gold jewelry wire. About 2 yards.
-gold jump rings
-closed earrings. Fish hook would probably work fine too.
-gold beads. Someone gave me the ones I used, and there were two different sizes, but the original Anthropologie (probably not cheap gold plastic) only has one size.
-needle nose pliers/metal cutters. Again, the best thing to have would be those fancy round-nosed pliers, but you can live without them.
-a hammer
Now to give fair warning, I’m not a seasoned jewelry-maker, and don’t know any of the legit lingo yet. So when I say “loopy” and instead of the right term, just forgive and forget and move on.
1. Cut 6″ of the 16 gauge gold wire, and pound flat with a hammer and anvil/steel/whatever.
2. Measure 2 1/4″ from either end and mark with a washable marker.
3. Bend at marked points with your fingers to make a nice straight triangle.
4. With your pliers, make small loops on both ends (facing back).
5. Now with the 22 gauge wire, wrap around one side near the top several times until secure. Use your pliers to tighten and flatten the edge down against the frame.
6. String one small paper bead on, and then wrap around several times on opposite side of frame. If your first coil wrapped over the frame, wrap your second coil under, in order to weave the wire from front to back and vice versa.
7. Continue threading paper and gold beads back and forth throught the triangle frame, wrapping several times between rows. Just throw in a gold bead when you feel like it. Gauge the size of beads and number or gold ones with the space you have between the frame. You want the beads to fill the space, but not to fit tightly. Avoid weaving the rows to closely together as well.
8. When you reach the bottom, wrap around the bottom corner several times to secure, and then cut the wire and tighten/flatten against the frame with your pliers. You don’t want any pokies!
9. Attach jump rings to both loopies, and then one more (I used a slightly larger one) to connect the first two. Attach a closed earring to the top jump ring. Ya terminas!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Out of respect for the original designer, I ask that this tutorial ONLY BE USED FOR PERSONAL USE, and that it not be used to make items for commercial sales, even on a small scale. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me at miriam@madmim.com. Thanks and good wishes!
See my other paper bead jewelry projects: paper bead tutorial, Paper Sunrise Necklace, Anthro knockoff Vaqunnon Earrings
54 Comments
This is fantastic, I am so going to make a pair for myself.
I love these! You did such a great job. I definitely want to make a pair (hopefully before we leave for our cruise in a week and a half.) I might try to do silver rather than gold. They have that wire in silver, right? I hope.
Anyhow, you are awesome. I love your version. I think you did such a great job!
Yes the wire definitely comes in silver! I can’t wait to see them when you finish, and Hello?! A cruise?! So awesome becca! I can’t remember if you told me that, but really that sounds so fun!
Amazing. AMAZING.
So so so so sooooo cute!! I wish I could do that. I just lack patience, which actually complicates my life quite a bit.
Wow! This is a great knock-off! I love them! Thanks for the tutorial!
beeyuuutiiiiiiiiifullllllllll! You can flatten wire? How cool is that?! I like your version BETTER by far-great colors. very fun.
Hey mim, have finally added my version of your darling “Turn About the Room Dress” to your flicker group…just so you don’t feel quite so lonely
) jen
Woohoo!! Thanks Jen! That makes me happy!
Your blog is adorable!
Any way we can knock off Anthro for cheap is FABULOUS!!!
I think yours looks better than theirs!
Those are awesome! I agree, I think yours look better too
WOW! Your earrings looks so much better!! The colors pop! Good job~ Where can I purchase gold jewelry wire?
Thanks Lolo! I just bought my wire at JoAnn’s, but I think you can get it at any craft store like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Roberts, and probably even Walmart in the craft section.
LOVE these – actually bookmarked them on the anthro site with the intention of making them myself! your how-to is great, and i will surely be attempting these soon. Thanks!!
I adore everything you make! These earrings screamed at me and I had to try to make my own. (Yours are much better than Anthropologie’s, by the way.) Mine are here:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmrnjseamu1qe9uuoo1_500.jpg
They aren’t as clean as yours, but I really enjoy them.
Oh my goodness, those are GORGEOUS. I love them in silver, and I LOVE your paper beads. Really amazing job! Thanks so much for showing me, it always makes my day. If you get a chance, I would love to see this photo in the madmim flickr group
PS, these are by far my favorite earrings, and they just make me feel totally awesome every time I wear them.
What is so funny is that the home-made “knock off” earrings look better than the original expensive ones. Good job!
Just saw your earrings via Pinterest – like yours better
Going to make them!
These are really cute and super easy to make. My paper beads are sort of wonky, but I suppose that adds to them being handmade. Thank you for the tutorial. Also, I added a picture to your flicker group.
Yay! Yours look rockin!! If you like your as much as I like mine, then you’ll wear them every other day! Thanks for putting your photo up!
Cute!! I’m totally going to make these!! Love you site!
I love your earrings. I am a self-taught beader and appreciate your ideas. I am going to try to make a pair for myself.
Hi,
Absolutely great! I must say that your version looks A LOT better than the original. Will show you off on my Twitter
.
Keep up the good work.
JanniCake
Yours look even better than the Anthro ones! Awesome job!
WOW these are beautiful!! Where did you get the gold wire from?? I would love to make these, they are fabulous, and yours look better than the anthropologie ones, I prefer your brighter colours!
Thanks Vikki! I bought the wire from JoAnn’s but I think they would have it at any big chain craft store. Good luck!
I like your version better than the original version!! By FAR.
I love these earrings they are adorable for sure…
I like yours better too. I just don’t understand why people think that leaving a hunk of squished metal (ie: crimps) looks nice. It is so easy to find something to cover it with.
That’s my thoughts anyway.
Also, I recently acquired a large supply of these paper beads and had no idea what to do with them so, thanks for helping me get the creative juices flowing in regards to them!!
These are fantastic. So pretty and colorful. They look really easy to make. Thank you for sharing.
Linda @Mixed Kreations
OMFG. Can I just say, I’m so glad you posted this tut! I’ve been lusting after those paper beads ever since I saw your other tutorial, and now that I’ve seen this I’m positive it is my life’s goal to make some of these earrings. Be looking for my version on my blog! THANKS so much!
Yours are much prettier!
Thanks for the inspiration!
I SERIOUSLY like yours better! I would have guessed they were the more expensive pair!
beautiful work!!!!! i’ve just started trying my hand at paper beads, so i may give this a try. i have one question tho….how do you get your beads sooooooo shiny???
Just look for high gloss in whatever finish you use (mine was mod podge and polyurathane spray) and you’re golden! Good luck!
I like your version much better than the original! Fabulous job!
Great work! I like your earrings far better than the bought ones. They have brighter color and a better symmetry I think.
How long did you work on these?
Thank you Anna, I love those earrings too! Their definitely my favorite, and I get compliments every time I wear them:) If I remember right, I think they took about an hour and half to make the pair.
How do you make the paper beads? Thanks, Joyce
Here’s my paper bead making tutorial!
http://madmim.com/paper-bead-tutorial/
im gonna try it ps go to tru tv at 8:00 on monday
Wow, these are beautiful!!! Much prettier and obviously better made than the anthro pair. Nice job! I’m thinking about making something similar in a bracelet- creating a little frames like that and then attaching chains for a bracelet. Thank you for the inspiration!
That sounds GORGEOUS, makes me want to do some more paper crafting. I would love to see the finished project if you ever do it!
mighty fine, sissy!
These are fantastic. Love them so very much
I just found out about paper beads and your tutorial tonight, what a great find, I have some experience making clay beads and can’t wait to try this project, thanks so much for sharing!! you rock!!
these are great earings, i usually draw or paint something for my family on special occasions. threse will be great for my sister for her birthday. so i don’t have to paint her something.lol.
Thanks again for the great art work.
tannis
love these
thank you for sharing love the idea I don’t knonw how to make paper bead but I will learn from you, very lovely earring thank’s
I think yours are so much more pretty than the ones you ‘knocked off”! After seeing this tutorial, I made some paper beads of my own and am looking forward to making my own beautiful earrings. Thank you!
Beautiful, will try this project…
you are a real artist keep the good work and keep sharring,;
where can I get the gold wire here in the Caribbean is not easy to find;
thank you
Thank you Chantal! I wish I could give you more information, but I’m not sure! I would just try online somewhere, I hope that you have luck, let me know if you find a good source!
7 Trackbacks
[...] Can you imagine how much more lucrative crafting would be if we could charge Anthropologie-like prices and get $100 for a lampshade or $200 for a necklace at craft shows? Some of Anthro's products especially beg to be copied, like their "Hue Pyramid" earrings. Priced at $98 a pair, they're made from an old recycled craft standby: rolled paper beads. (Yup, almost a hundred bucks for what largely amounts to an elementary school art project!) Over at Mad Mim, frugally-minded fashionista Miriam made her own pair that are nearly identical to their overpriced, mail-order counterpart, using all things that she had on hand. Just think of the dollar store shopping spree you could take with the $98 you'll save! [how to make Anthropologie-inspired rolled paper bead earrings] [...]
[...] Can you imagine how much more lucrative crafting would be if we could all charge Anthropologie-like prices and get $100 for a lampshade or $200 for a necklace at craft shows? Some of Anthro’s products especially beg to be copied, like their “Hue Pyramid” earrings. Priced at $98 a pair, they’re made from an old recycled craft standby: rolled paper beads. (Yup, almost a hundred bucks for what largely amounts to an elementary school art endeavor!) Over at Mad Mim, frugally-minded fashionista Miriam made her own pair that are nearly identical to their overpriced, mail-order counterpart, using all things that she had on hand. Just think of the dollar store shopping spree you could take with the $98 you’ll save! [how to create Anthropologie-inspired rolled paper bead earrings] [...]
[...] I highly suggest you check out this tutorial also by madmim for anthropologie-inspired earrings: Click here Make these beautiful earrings from [...]
[...] off remarkably how you can make a high street look even better by doing it yourself at home! The pyramid earrings above were created by the lovely Miriam aka Mad Mim, whose blog brings craftacular goodness and [...]
[...] Knock it Off! Anthropologie’s Hue Pyramid Earrings » mad mim. /* Filed Under: [...]
[...] Paper Bead Pyramid Earrings [...]
[...] Handmade earrings with wire and paper rolled beads. [...]