Make Beach Glass Earrings

comments (12) March 30th, 2009

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Jennifer Worick, contributor

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With just a few pieces of beach glass and a Dremel tool, you can whip up a pair of earthy, summery earrings.

I picked four pieces of brown glass that are roughly the same size.

You need to use a diamond bit for your Dremel; it is designed to work on glass.

With just a few pieces of beach glass and a Dremel tool, you can whip up a pair of earthy, summery earrings.

Photo: Jennifer Worick

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I used to crave souvenirs from trading posts, truck stops, and gift shops when I was on vacation. These days, I’d much rather pick up a natural item than an ill-advised T-shirt or tchotchke. When my wanderings take me to the beach, I sort of lose my mind, filling my pockets with rocks, shells, and the rare piece of beach glass. Over the years, the beach glass has accumulated, and I have bowls of it sprinkled throughout my home. I thought I’d take a few choice pieces and create a swingy pair of earrings. They were so quick that I’m thinking that my friends and family are going to be tricked out in glassy baubles in short order.

I picked four pieces of brown glass that are roughly the same size.

You’ll need:

Safety glasses
Old kitchen sponge
Shallow metal pan
Water
Four pieces of small beach glass
Dremel tool with 1/16-inch diamond drill bit
Chain-nose pliers
Six 7mm sterling silver jump rings
Two 5mm jump rings
Two ear wires
Clear nail polish (optional)

Step 1: Put on your safety glasses. Place a thick sponge, rough side up, in a shallow pan half filled with water. Get ready to drill holes in some beach glass. Start by placing your Dremel tool with the diamond bit at a 90-degree angle to the glass. It’s best to position the hole near the edge of the glass so that you can attach a jump ring. Only the bit should be in the water; keep the rest of the Dremel well above and away from the water line.

You need to use a diamond bit for your Dremel; it is designed to work on glass.

Place your glass on a sponge in a shallow pan of water to do your drilling, and make sure the Dremel is positioned at 90 degrees to the glass.

Start with a low setting and let the drill do the work (in other words, don’t push down). You’ll know when you’ve completed your hole as it will “give” when it breaks through to the other side.

The drilled hole is the perfect size for a jump ring. Just make sure to drill pretty close to the edge so you can get a jump ring in there.

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posted in: Jewelry, wearable, earrings, beachy, beach glass, dangles

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Comments (12)

Rooty_Tooty writes: Hi Bluecayuga --

Google Dremel Tools online to see what you can find. Dremel's own website should tell you who carries there products. It seems like the larger Hobby Lobby, Michaels & AC Moore stores should carry these as well as some of the hardware places (Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, Sears etc.) I'm guessing by your name that you live in a fairly rural region so you may need to travel to the city to find a store that carries what you need. You might also checkout online sites for these stores or sites like Amazon.com

Hope this helps.
Posted: 1:32 pm on July 2nd

scarlety123 writes: this was great.. thanks so much for sharing...
Posted: 11:07 am on March 8th

bluecayuga writes: Hi friends,
I'm new to the site, I love your lessons, detailed with photos and very well explained (I'm also an art teacher). I'm desperately looking for the best dremel I can buy for drilling sea glass, sea shells and maybe shale stones... thin and light weight. You seem to have lots of experience.. is your 'multipro model 395' your favorite? I have no idea where to purchase a strong dremel (and diamond bits). I'd be so grateful for help from any you folks who love this type of art as much as I do and have the time to pass on your tips!
t
hanks for all your wonderful inspiration,
bluecayuga
Posted: 11:54 am on July 29th

ginnysue1 writes: I love this. I do jewelry. Going to the beach soon & going to try this. I have a dremel. Wish me luck.
Ginnysue1
Posted: 10:07 pm on June 2nd

artisticblend writes: I LOVE IT!!! We just got back from the beach and found some wonderful sea glass. Now I have a project. THANKS SO MUCH! :)
Posted: 7:16 am on August 13th

hanniefaye80 writes: Love these! Wish I'd saved the beach glass I collected on my last trip to the beach. I'll think of this next time!
Posted: 8:54 pm on August 12th

crackedpot writes: these are great!!!!!!!!!!thanks

Posted: 8:15 pm on August 12th

Lisingreece writes: This is one of the best tutorials I have seen! The pictures are worth a hundred words. Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us.
Posted: 12:22 pm on May 17th