Learn how to make paper earrings from cardstock that are both sturdy and lightweight – you can create them in any shape you like! Seal with Mod Podge.
Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll have to know how to use a die cutter and basic jewelry tools. It’s quite a simple project once you get the hang of those things.
Hello friends! It’s Aki again from Minted Strawberry, swinging by for another tutorial. As you know, I love DIY jewelry and fashion crafts! This time I’m showing you how to make paper earrings that look like seashells, but you can make them any shape you like.
Summer is in full swing – it’s so hot out all the time now! One of my favorite activities to do in the summer is go to the beach – I love the water, swimming, the breeze, the sand and most specially collecting shells and driftwood.
Last year I spotted some seashell cross-section necklaces on my beach adventures and they looked so pretty!
I forgot about them soon after until recently when I was collecting shells. And while I can purchase them online, where’s the fun in that?
I decided to make paper earrings out of cardstock; it’s more affordable than purchasing them online and you won’t have to worry they’ll break easily!
Let me know show you how I made these shell earrings . . . then you can take the same idea and customize them in any shape you like. If you’ve never made earrings before, you’re going to have fun. Here’s how I did it.
DIY Paper Earrings
Gather These Supplies
- Die-cutter
- Cardstock
- Template – download here
- Mod Podge Matte
- Mod Podge Silicone Mat
- Liquid Gilding or Spray Paint
- Mod Podge Hard Coat or other sealer
- Earring hooks
- Jump rings
- Flat nose pliers
- Paintbrush
Step 1. I drew a sketch of a seashell cross section on Adobe Illustrator and transferred them to my Silhouette program to cut them out. You can draw your own, or download the shell template I have made, or choose something from the shapes available in your die cutter program.
Since I was using cardstock, I cut about seven pieces of ‘shells’ for each earring, each measuring about 2.5″ in height. You can definitely make them bigger or smaller – I just prefer them bigger.
Step 2. For a perfect cut, you may want to double-cut your pieces as they are somewhat detailed.
Step 3. Using a foam brush or spouncer, use Mod Podge to adhere your ‘shell’ layers together. You will want to add the back layer and front layer last.
The Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat actually helps with this step as your shell pieces won’t adhere to the surface if you are using the mat.
Step 4. Wipe off the excess glue in the nooks and crannies of your shell piece using a thin object such as a sewing needle, pin, or even a safety pin.
The photo above shows how thick each earring will be after seven layers of cardstock – I’d say it’s pretty sturdy after this point! Make sure to sandwich your pieces between two big books while they’re drying to encourage flattening of the pieces.
Step 5. Now it’s time to paint your paper earrings – I really have a strong preference for metallic colors, so I used liquid gilding to color them copper.
I used brass at first, but switched to copper after one coat. Coat them with Mod Podge Hard Coat or Mod Podge spray sealer to seal and strengthen them when finished.
Step 6. Now make some pearl links – thread one pearl bead onto an eye pin, cut off the excess wire and loop the end to secure the bead on the eye pin.
Step 7. Attach your pearl link using a jump ring on the circle on top of the shell.
Step 8. Finally, attach your pearl link to the earring hook and you are done!
I totally love how pretty these paper earrings look in person – the photos do not do them justice! These shells are a great and affordable addition to any summer wardrobe. They look very abstract and organic, and I am in love.
They make the cutest gifts too. Especially Mother’s Day gifts!
What shapes would you use? What color would you paint them in? I’d love to hear in the comments!
Paper Earrings
Equipment
- Earring hooks
- Jump rings
- Flat nose pliers
- Books
Materials
- Die cutter and vinyl
- Cardstock
- Template or artwork
- Mod Podge Matte
- Gilding or craft paint
- Mod Podge Hard Coat or spray sealer
Instructions
- Draw a sketch of the shape you want to use or select something from your die cutter’s library. Cut seven pieces of the shape for each earring (a total of 14) out of cardstock. Make sure that you include a hole in the same place at the top of each piece.
- For a perfect cut, you may want to double-cut your pieces. If the edges don’t cut perfectly, tidy them with a craft knife.
- Using a foam brush or spouncer, use Mod Podge to adhere the cardstock layers together. Let dry.
- Remove the excess glue in the nooks and crannies of your earring using a thin object such as a sewing needle or pin.
- Sandwich the paper earrings between two big books while drying to encourage flattening of the pieces.
- Use liquid gilding (or acrylic paint) to paint both earrings. Paint multiple coats if needed and let dry.
- Make the pearl jewelry links. Thread one pearl bead onto an eye pin, cut off the excess wire, and loop the end to secure the bead on the eye pin.
- Attach the pearl link using a jump ring on the circle on top of the shell. Attach the pearl link to the hook. Repeat with the other earring to finish.
Notes
I hope you enjoyed this paper earrings tutorial! Don’t forget to visit any of the links down below and to be inspired with more projects like this! Happy crafting, friends 🙂
Stephen
Wednesday 31st of March 2021
These look so amazing. Thanks for sharing. I'm beginner level, but these are on my list to try.
I've been trying to make basic wooden earrings with inkjet paper and experimenting with different MP formulas...I think it falls into the category of decoupage(?). I'm using an Xacto to trace out shapes of the paper using the wooden blanks (teardrop/circle/etcetc). If I really suck at cutting a straight line (or following any wooden blank shape), would a die cutter essentially "automate" that step so that my hands couldn't mess it up? :D And is there one in particular, a brand or a model that you'd recommend starting my search with? A lot of times I've gone for the wrong (and more expensive) tool when trying other crafty stuff (like getting two hundred different fancy pliers from Michael's when I was trying to do wire jewelry), so as I get into decoupage and trying to use paper for jewelry, I don't want to let myself do the same dumb thing lol.
I GREATLY appreciate any advice or info. Thanks again for sharing this project.
Amy
Monday 5th of April 2021
Hi Stephen! A die cutter would definitely help you and I personally recommend Cricut. HOWEVER - if you just doing a circle or rectangle or shapes that basic, there are usually punches available in the scrapbooking section of the craft store or online. For example, there are circle punches in various sizes that make cutting exact shapes really easy. Otherwise, grab a Cricut :)
LadyD
Friday 31st of July 2015
These are gorgeous! Who could have known that paper could look so good? I think any of the metallic colors would look great, or even white in a glossy finish. Since I do not wear earrings, I am thinking necklace with about five to seven shells in graduated sizes, with your 2.5 inch high size n the center and perhaps a few small pearl beads between the shells. I think this project is the coolest thing I've seen in quite awhile.
Two things stopping me from beginning this project immediately: I need both kinds of mod podge - I do have some of the Mod Podge Matte left from a previous project (not enough, I fear) but have no Mod Podge Hard Coat at all - and I have no die cutting machine either. :/ My shells would need to be hand cut (probably a very difficult Xacto knife project) since there's no way a die cut machine will fit in my budget this year.
Maureen
Friday 31st of July 2015
Thank you for such a detailed explanation of making the very stylish earrings. The only problem is...not everyone has a die cutter machine. And this type of shell would be hard to hand cut. But I due like the idea.
Amy
Friday 31st of July 2015
Hi Maureen! What I'd recommend if you don't have a die cutter is using the outline to hand cut - and then painting in the "cut outs." At least that's what I would do (not with black, but with a complimentary color).