Russian Leaf Earrings

In the last post, I showed you how to make Russian Leaves.  In this post, I'm going to show you how to make Russian Leaf Earrings and how they are slightly different from Russian Leaves.

This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I will make a small commission if you purchase something after clicking on the link.

russian leaf earrings tutorial

Below is the supply list to make the earrings pictured above.  

Supplies

EARRINGS

• 1 ounce Delica 11/0 DB-183 - Copper-Lined Cobalt
• 1/2 ounce Delica 11/0 DB-1340 - Silver-Lined Fuschia
• 1 ounce Delica 11/0 DB-164 - Opaque Turquoise AB
• 1/2 Ounce Delica 11/0 DB-2116 - Opaque Light Carnation Duracoat
• 1/4 Ounce Delica 11/0 DB-35 - Galvanized Silver
• 1/4 Ounce Delica 15/0 RR4201 - Galvanized Silver
• 2 - 6/0 Galvanized Silver Seed Beads
• 2 - earring wires
• Thread of your choice, I use Fireline

pendant

• 1 ounce Delica 11/0 DB-183 - Copper-Lined Cobalt
• 1/2 ounce Delica 11/0 DB-1340 - Silver-Lined Fuschia
• 1 ounce Delica 11/0 DB-164 - Opaque Turquoise AB
• 1/2 Ounce Delica 11/0 DB-2116 - Opaque Light Carnation Duracoat
• 1/4 Ounce Delica 11/0 DB-35 - Galvanized Silver
• 1/4 Ounce Delica 15/0 RR4201 - Galvanized Silver
• 2 - 6/0 Galvanized Silver Seed Beads
• 1 pendant bale
• Thread of your choice, I use Fireline

There are a couple of slight variations in how the earring on the right was made in comparison to the leaf on the left.

Perhaps, the hardest part of making the earrings if you are following a pattern, is getting started.  Even though the pattern is laid out like brick stitch, it is going to be made using even count peyote.

step 1

To begin, pick out the center line of beads and then the row to the LEFT of it.  Even though you are going to work to the right, you start out on the left.  Following the above diagram, you are going to pick up a size 15 galvanized silver, 2 Cobalt, 3 Carnation, 2 Fuschia, 1 Galvanized Silver (size 11/0), 2 Fuschia, 2 Cobalt and 1 size 15 Galvanized Silver.  That's 12 beads.  Remember to leave half your thread for the tail to bead the other side. Pick up 2 more size 15 silvers and go back down through the first Cobalt bead.  This will make a triangle at the top.  Peyote back down with a Cobalt, 2 Fuschia, 2 Carnation and 1 Cobalt bead.

Peyote back up following the pattern, stopping one bead short of the top.  Add a silver #15 and a silver Delica 11/0 and peyote back.

Don't be alarmed if the #15 and the Delica are turned around, you will fix it when you come back down.  No point in fighting with it to sit right at this point.

Continue beading the rows, following the pattern.  

step 3

When I beaded the leaves, I added the tail and then beaded back to the top.  For the earrings, I'm not going to add the tail, I am going to stop here and then bead back with #15's.  I will have 10 #15's on the top row, but only 9 on the bottom row.

step 4

Now put your needle on the tail thread and repeat the process on the other side.

Finishing off the earrings is up to your imagination.  I put a silver 6/0 seed bead in between the 2 ends and then added a half circle of #15s to hold the earring wire.

You will probably want to stiffen the earring, I use Diamond Glaze.  Just a little on the back, then I put it face down so that I can get the back to curve how I want it.

the pendant

As I was making the earrings, I thought, gee, I think this would make a nice pendant.

To make the pendant, I simply made to earrings, but I filled out the side edge so they were straight across the bottom.

Then I attached them to each other.  I had to add a silver Delica and #15s, (I put one #15 on each side of the Delica) in the corners.  Then it's up to your imagination what to put in the center.  I had these pink and blue Swarovski bicones left over from another project, so I wove them around with some Delicas.

I think it might look better with a cabochon like one of these in the middle, but the pendant was a last minute idea so I had to use what I had on hand.  You will definitely need to stiffen the pendant.

I hope you found this tutorial on how to make Russian leaf earrings helpful.