How to Make Africa Earrings

Ever wanted to bring back 80s-esque Africa Earrings? Or make a custom shape?

Here's how we made some simple contour earrings of Africa with just soft wire, pliers, some time & a careful eye!

- Soft Wire
- Pliers
- Thumb Tacks
- Cardboard
- Shape print-out
- Beads (in a later step - optional)
- Earring hooks

Tape your image/shape to a cardboard base. Identify the key outtermost and innermost points on the shape that you're trying to create. Minimalize!

The soft wire is very malleable and can be manipulated by hand. Mold it around/weave it between the thumb tack jig to create the general shape. It helps to have an extra pair of hands to hold the tacks in place in the cardboard.

Using your hands, tape & pliers, add the details in contour. This takes a LOT of pausing to look at the reference image, compare the two, tweak, pause, & tweak again!

You have 2 matching contours. Add beads or whatever decoration you'd like! We unfolded paper clips with pliers and used the wire to link a bead to the jewelry hook. Wrap stylistically & don't forget to leave loops for attachment.

Add jewelry hooks - any kind you'd like. (Fish hook, closed hook, etc.)

Enjoy wearing your new earrings!