DIY Beaded Strawboard Earrings: A Simple & Elegant Tutorial

Updated at: 22/03/2025

Looking for a unique and effortlessly chic accessory to elevate your everyday style? Then look no further! This tutorial will guide you through creating stunning, handcrafted beaded strawboard earrings, a perfect blend of simple elegance and modern design. These lightweight earrings are surprisingly easy to make, requiring minimal materials and crafting expertise, making them an ideal project for beginners and experienced crafters alike. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can transform basic materials into a beautiful pair of earrings that are sure to garner compliments.

Forget expensive jewelry stores and embrace the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with your own hands. These beaded strawboard earrings offer a delightful opportunity to personalize your style and experiment with different colors and bead combinations. Ready to get started on your own personalized pair? Let's dive into the step-by-step process!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Strawboard or Fiber paper
  • Bold beads
  • Earring hooks
  • Fabric scraps
  • Needle and thread
  • All-purpose adhesive
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise children if they are participating in any part of this craft. Small beads pose a choking hazard.
  • Use strong, jewelry-grade adhesive to ensure the beads remain securely attached to the strawboard. Test the adhesive on a scrap piece of strawboard first.
  • Avoid using sharp tools near your eyes or face when cutting or shaping the strawboard. Always handle sharp objects with care.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Strawboard Shapes

    • Cut out desired shapes and sizes from strawboard or fiber paper.
    Cut out desired shapes and sizes from strawboard or fiber paper.
    Prepare Strawboard Shapes

  2. Cover Strawboard with Fabric

    • Apply adhesive to the strawboard shapes.
    • Place smaller fabric circles onto the adhesive-covered strawboard.
    • Trim excess fabric, leaving about a half-inch allowance.
    • Make notches around the fabric edges for better adhesion and a neater finish.
    Make notches around the fabric edges for better adhesion and a neater finish.Make notches around the fabric edges for better adhesion and a neater finish.Make notches around the fabric edges for better adhesion and a neater finish.Make notches around the fabric edges for better adhesion and a neater finish.
    Cover Strawboard with Fabric
    • Fold and tuck the fabric neatly around the strawboard, ensuring complete coverage. Secure with adhesive as needed.
    Fold and tuck the fabric neatly around the strawboard, ensuring complete coverage. Secure with adhesive as needed.
    Cover Strawboard with Fabric

  3. Attach Bead and Hook to One Side

    • Using doubled thread, sew the bead and earring hook securely to one side of the fabric-covered strawboard.
    • Leave a small section of thread inside to secure the bead and hook.
    Leave a small section of thread inside to secure the bead and hook.
    Attach Bead and Hook to One Side

  4. Attach Bead and Hook to the Other Side

    • Repeat step 7 for the other side of the earring.
    Repeat step 7 for the other side of the earring.
    Attach Bead and Hook to the Other Side

  5. Repeat for Second Earring

    • Repeat steps 2-9 for the second earring.
    Repeat steps 2-9 for the second earring.Repeat steps 2-9 for the second earring.
    Repeat for Second Earring

  6. Finish and Secure

    • Press firmly to ensure strong adhesion. Use pliers if available, otherwise use your hands.

Read more: Twisted Wire Spiral Earrings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Use doubled thread for extra strength and durability.
  • Leave some thread inside to secure the bead and hook. This prevents them from becoming loose over time.
  • Use pliers to firmly press the earring pieces together for a more professional finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Uneven Bead Spacing

Reason: This often happens due to inconsistent tension while stringing beads or using beads of varying sizes without planning.
Solution: Maintain consistent tension on the thread and pre-plan bead placement to ensure even spacing.

2. Weak or Easily Broken Wire

Reason: Using too thin or flimsy wire for the earring structure, especially when using heavier beads, leads to weak and easily broken earrings.
Solution: Choose a sturdy wire gauge appropriate for the weight and size of your beads.

FAQs

What kind of beads work best for these earrings?
Lightweight beads like seed beads, pony beads, or even small glass beads work wonderfully. Avoid anything too heavy to prevent the earrings from feeling unbalanced or pulling on your earlobes.
Can I use different types of strawboard?
While thin, relatively stiff strawboard is ideal, you can experiment with other lightweight materials of similar thickness. Just ensure the material is easy to pierce with a needle and can hold the beads securely.
What if I don't have earring hooks? Can I use something else?
Absolutely! You can use jump rings to attach other earring findings, like ear wires or even clip-on earring mechanisms. Just make sure the jump rings are a size appropriate for your findings and beads.