Antler Earrings

I love highlighting natural materials and patterns.

These earrings are unique and showcase the natural coloration and textures of the materials and are guaranteed to get noticed.

If you like them, please vote for me. Thanks and enjoy!

Materials needed:

• Antler tines
• Wood branch
• Craft wire
• Miscellaneous earring hardware

Tools used:

• Band saw
• Sandpaper
• Wire cutter
• Jewelry pliers
• Small triangular file

Using a band saw, cut the antler tine or wood branch into ¼ inch thick slices. Enough thickness is needed to make the groove for the wire. Thinner slices will work if you choose to drill through the earrings instead of grooving the circumference.

**You can use a fine-toothed handsaw to cut the materials if you don’t have a bandsaw.

The blank surfaces will show scars from the sawing and should be sanded smooth before continuing. Begin with 100 grit paper to smooth the edges and surfaces then keep working down to 220 grit to remove all of the saw marks. Finish the surface with 600 grit super-fine paper for a nice, polished surface.

Using a small triangular file, score a straight line around the circumference of the antler/wood. Continue filing the line to form a thin groove deep enough to set in the wire. Keep the groove as centered as possible.

Lay the wire into the groove, bring the wire together at the top and twist twice to tighten and secure in place. Use the wire cutters to clip one end close to the twist and clip the other end approximately 3/8 inch long to make the loop for the jump ring or ear wire. Carefully close the two ends of the wire together for a clean loop.

Once the wires and loops are in place, attach the earring hooks of your choice.

I have made, worn, gifted, and sold these earrings for years. They require no sealant or surface finishes to remain beautiful.

Instead of filing a groove around the circumference of the antler, you can choose to drill a small hole through the top of the antler/wood blank and simply use a jump ring to attach to the ear wire.

Hope you like this method of making antler earrings and vote for my instructable, Thanks!