Coffee Bean Earrings

Peak up your ears with super-cute coffee bean earrings : )

I'm not always a fan of shiny silver jewelry, but in this case, bright silver sets off the coffee bean more nicely than a matte or gunmetal finish.

Materials
2 Coffee beans
2 Crystal beads (4 mm)
2 Silver hook wires
2 Silver bails
2 Silver headpins or wire (20 gauge)

Finish
Shellac (or another type of finish if you prefer)
Denatured Alcohol
Wire

Tools
Dremel with 1/32" bit
Rounded pliers
Wire cutters
Metal file

Use Dremel to drill tiny holes close to the end of each bean.  Even if you are very careful, plan on having a few break!

Adding a finish to the beans will not only add a shine, but will also preserve and strengthen the little guys.

• Mix shellac with denatured alcohol, stir and allow to sit for a few hours before using.
• Hang each bean from a thin wire and dip into shellac
• Allow to dry for 20 minutes and dip again
• Repeat 3 - 5 times

• Use round pliers to shape one end of a headpin into nearly a complete circle
• Add crystal bead
• Cut
• File end if needed
• Shape other end - leaving the circle a little bit open for the next step

Simply connect all the pieces...

• Place piece from Step 4 on hook
• Attach bail to the other end
• Hold bail with pliers and line up with the hole drilled through the coffee bean
• Gently close bail with pliers, leaving enough space to allow bean to move a little

Complete!