My Handmade American Girl Earrings (part 101)
Doll in photo:
-Tenney Grant
I'm impressed with myself that I didn't go super gaudy for Tenney's earrings. She's a performer...it would have been the perfect excuse to make something tacky. But that's why I always wait until I have the doll/outfit in person before I design jewelry. Sometimes my initial ideas don't fit anymore once I have the outfit in hand. Tenney's "Meet" outfit (on the left) was tricky to make earrings for. She has a lot of different textures and colors going on: the denim vest, bird design on her shirt, the faux leather skirt, the brown shoes, etc. I kept going back and forth about what I wanted to do for this ensemble. But then I noticed these charming little rock beads. I had recently bought them from Walmart, when I found them in the 98 cent baggie section. I do make a habit to glance at the jewelry section at least every few weeks, because sometimes you'll find something cool. I tend to pick things that are super versatile, or incredibly unique. I thought the fact that these were rocks was fabulous, but the pink color would make them match many doll outfits. I also got the pearlescent balls in between them from Walmart too (that 98 cent baggie section is divine). However, the little orangish red stars were from a deconstructed bracelet. I found a few kids' bracelets in a discount section at a thrift store last year. The charms were perfectly sized for doll jewelry, and they were comprised of many stars (something I'm always reaching for). I originally planned to put each rock on its own little eye pin and connect them all together like a chain. But after making one earring that way, and one earring like in the photo, I preferred the latter.
Tenney's Spotlight Outfit had me so excited, before it even arrived in the mail (it came with Tenney herself). I was initially thinking of doing something in resin. But I decided to pan over all my beads first, since I had some new-ish things in my collection. When I saw these light pink, pearlescent balls, in the EXACT shade as Tenney's skirt, I knew they were a winner. I was also clever grabbing two 98 cent baggies of these in different sizes. I like to stagger the size of identical beads, to create visual interest. I didn't have a super tiny version, but that's where the faux pearls came in handy (I think these were from the Dollar Tree). But on their own, I didn't think that the plain balls/pearls were enough. I noticed Tenney has a songbird theme that is prominent in her collection. So I decided to check out my charms and see if I had any birds. Lo and behold, I sure did! These are the same as the first charms I ever bought for my dolls (all the way back in 2012). Yep, Walmart STILL sells that same pack in 2023! The birds also coordinate with the Noteworthy Studs that came with my Tenney doll (they are also little birdies). Colleen is obsessed with this pair--she said they are some of her favorites I've ever made. I was a little bummed out that I didn't get to bust out my resin, but I am super happy with how this pair turned out.
My Handmade American Girl Earrings (part 101)
Doll in photo:
-Tenney Grant
I'm impressed with myself that I didn't go super gaudy for Tenney's earrings. She's a performer...it would have been the perfect excuse to make something tacky. But that's why I always wait until I have the doll/outfit in person before I design jewelry. Sometimes my initial ideas don't fit anymore once I have the outfit in hand. Tenney's "Meet" outfit (on the left) was tricky to make earrings for. She has a lot of different textures and colors going on: the denim vest, bird design on her shirt, the faux leather skirt, the brown shoes, etc. I kept going back and forth about what I wanted to do for this ensemble. But then I noticed these charming little rock beads. I had recently bought them from Walmart, when I found them in the 98 cent baggie section. I do make a habit to glance at the jewelry section at least every few weeks, because sometimes you'll find something cool. I tend to pick things that are super versatile, or incredibly unique. I thought the fact that these were rocks was fabulous, but the pink color would make them match many doll outfits. I also got the pearlescent balls in between them from Walmart too (that 98 cent baggie section is divine). However, the little orangish red stars were from a deconstructed bracelet. I found a few kids' bracelets in a discount section at a thrift store last year. The charms were perfectly sized for doll jewelry, and they were comprised of many stars (something I'm always reaching for). I originally planned to put each rock on its own little eye pin and connect them all together like a chain. But after making one earring that way, and one earring like in the photo, I preferred the latter.
Tenney's Spotlight Outfit had me so excited, before it even arrived in the mail (it came with Tenney herself). I was initially thinking of doing something in resin. But I decided to pan over all my beads first, since I had some new-ish things in my collection. When I saw these light pink, pearlescent balls, in the EXACT shade as Tenney's skirt, I knew they were a winner. I was also clever grabbing two 98 cent baggies of these in different sizes. I like to stagger the size of identical beads, to create visual interest. I didn't have a super tiny version, but that's where the faux pearls came in handy (I think these were from the Dollar Tree). But on their own, I didn't think that the plain balls/pearls were enough. I noticed Tenney has a songbird theme that is prominent in her collection. So I decided to check out my charms and see if I had any birds. Lo and behold, I sure did! These are the same as the first charms I ever bought for my dolls (all the way back in 2012). Yep, Walmart STILL sells that same pack in 2023! The birds also coordinate with the Noteworthy Studs that came with my Tenney doll (they are also little birdies). Colleen is obsessed with this pair--she said they are some of her favorites I've ever made. I was a little bummed out that I didn't get to bust out my resin, but I am super happy with how this pair turned out.