Vintage Rhinestone Earrings

Whenever I am thrift shopping for pieces to make my belt buckles I can never resist buying up all the vintage earrings I can find.  Often the earrings come with clip on backs, and I can only wear them like that for so long!  I finally got around to changing the backs and brightening up a pair last week and thought I would share.

First off:  I purchased these earrings at a local thrift store for around $4 a pair.  Most thrift stores have 50% off sales on large holidays, so I try my best to do my shopping then.  

What you will need:  

-Two part epoxy.  This can be purchased at any hardward store.  I love using this product because of its great strength.  I am so hard on my jewelry and don't want to be worried that I might have issues with my glue holding up.  

-Wire cutters

-Pliers

-Stud earring backs found at your local craft store

-Cotton Swabs

-Nail polish.  I have found polish that has a glossy and more transparent coloring tends to work best. 

-Earrings

Lets get started:

As you can see these earrings have clip on backs.  You can remove them simply by cutting with your wire cutters as close as possible to the back of the earring. 

How simple was that?  The backs of both sets are removed. 

If you are wishing to color your earrings simply take a fingernail polish of your choice and carefully paint the stone.  I have gone with a coral pink and aqua colored polish.  

 All finished painting, now let them dry for a few minutes. 

In order to start re-backing the earring cute the ends off of your cotton swaps and mix your two part epoxy according to directions.  Place a small amount of epoxy directly on the back of the earring and apply the stud.  

Allow the glue to dry according to the dry time on the bottle, as they will vary.   

Both pairs are finished.  For the three stone pair of earrings I placed the stud at the opposite side of the earring from where it was originally.  I was unable to remove all of the old back, and felt it would be easier to attach the new stud on the other end's smoother surface.  

Here they are!  I love them and have worn them almost every day since I made them! 

 Painted Vintage Crystal Earrings

I found my backs were slipping slightly due to the weight of the earrings and replaced them with these larger backs.  There is no need to redo the studs just simply purchase these higher quality backs.

Thanks for stopping by and reading! 

{Call Me Country}