Embroidered Earrings — Bead Embroidery PDF Tutorial | Leather & Crystals

Leather, beads, and a shield shape — gorgeous statement earrings that are lighter than they look.

The Shield Maiden Earrings are a bead embroidery project that transforms small scraps of leather into elegant, one-of-a-kind statement earrings. The leather is the hero — just a few feature beads sit at the centre, and a beaded edge worked in Demi Rounds or O beads gives the finished piece its distinctive handmade quality. Highly customisable: choose your leather colour, your feature beads, and your palette. No two pairs will ever be the same.

This tutorial is suitable for a beginner learning bead embroidery for the first time.

What's included:

• 6-page PDF tutorial with step-by-step instructions and photos for every step
• Shield shape template (3 size variations included)
• Full requirements list

You will need:

• Leather approx. 6cm × 6cm per earring
• Backing fabric (Ultrasuede or similar) approx. 6cm × 6cm
• Lacy's Stiff Stuff approx. 6cm × 6cm
• Assorted beads: pinch of size 15s, 1g size 11s, 4 × size 8 beads, feature beads of choice (small flower, drop bead or spike bead), 4mm and 6mm pearls or bicone crystals, vintage sequins
• Approx. 80 × size 8 Demi Round beads or O beads for edge
• 2 × earring wires
• E6000 glue, beading needle, sharp scissors

Skill level: Intermediate
Techniques: Bead embroidery

On A String is a small Australian beading business created by Paula — a beader, teacher, and maker who believes the craft is better when it's shared. Every tool is designed from the beading table. Every tutorial is written from experience.