Make Post Earrings from Vintage Game Pieces

Before: Game Pieces

Today was a busy day. The holiday season is in full swing. Schools will let out in a few days and everybody is looking forward to vacation. We did not have a lot of time to make jewelry.

When scouring our house for materials, we found a lot of game pieces from games we owned and played through the years. Many had broken or missing parts. The broken games were trashed but some of the parts are very cool. These were from an old backgammon set. We think.

After: Post Earrings by GeltDesigns

These vintage game pieces are lovely. Nobody knows for sure what type of material the pieces are made from. One expert said they were ivory. Another said they were bone. yet another said they were plastic.

When we thought they were plastic we considered stamping the pieces and embossing them with gold but that seemed a crime if there was even a chance they were made of ivory or bone. After doing a test assembly, we  decided the pieces needed little done to them to create simple, elegant post earrings.

Tools
Acetone
220-grit wet/dry sandpaper

Materials
Two game pieces
Two post earring findings with glue pad and two clutch earring backs
Glue

Step 1
Gather your materials. We used glue on findings and big backs because that is what we had. (Remember, our task is to make new jewelry a day without spending any additional money and using only what we have on hand from our craft supplies.) You may want to use different sizes.

Step 2
Clean the game pieces. Decide which side will be the front and which the back.

Step 3
Sand the back of the post earring finding using 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper to prepare to attach the finding to the game piece. Clean the sanded findings with acetone to remove grease and grim. Rinse with water and dry.We used cold fusion (otherwise known as chemical bonding or glue) to attach the earrings.

Step 4
Glue the finding to the top third of the game piece.

Step 5
Repeat to create second earring.

Step 6
Let the glue set overnight or according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Further Reading
"The Earring Style Book: Making Designer Earrings, Capturing Celebrity Style, and Getting the Look for Less"; Stephanie A. Wells; 2010.
"101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques";  Denise Peck; 2009.
30-Minute Earrings: 60 Quick & Creative Projects for Jewelers; Marthe Le Van; 2010.
Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings;  Jean Campbell; 2010.

Day 24. Week 4. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent: 0
Found materials: Backgammon game pieces
New Jewelry a Day.