Animal Crossing was one of my favorite games as a kid and I LOVE that its gained so much popularity the last 2 years! I wanted to make something to show off my love for the game so I decided to make these super cute Bell Bag earrings!

I think that this is a good clay craft for a beginner since there's not a lot of technique involved, and only a few tools. I was able to make 3 pairs in an hour (not including bake and cooling time).

If you'd like to learn how to make these keep reading!

Supplies

Materials you will need:

Oven bake polymer clay in Dark Yellow, Brown and Red.
wire
fishhook earrings with jump rings

Tools Used:

a small circle and star punch
a pointed clay tool
round nose pliers
super glue

Step 1: Make Base of Bell Bag

Separate some of the dark yellow clay into two round balls. I made them about the same size as my circle punch. They can be bigger if you prefer but I wouldn't go smaller than this or else the star is too big for the bag.

Step 2: Make Top of Bag

Using the handle of your pointed clay tool as a rolling pin, roll out more of the dark yellow clay. Flatten it to about the width of a dime.
Cut out two circles using the circle punch.
Place one of the circles on top of one of the balls.
Press the circle into the ball using the back end of your clay tool. If it flattens the ball slightly that's okay! The bell bags aren't meant to be perfectly round.
Repeat with second ball and circle!

Step 3: Make Bag Top "folds"

Using the pointed clay tool, push 4-5 indents around the edge of the circle. This gives the top of the bag the "folded" or "bunched" look of being tied up.
Repeat with second bag!

Step 4: Add Bag Details

Next were going to make the wrinkles on the side of the bag.

Where the circle folds and ball meet, take the tip of your clay tool and push in a few times around the bag. The "wrinkles" should line up with the inside of the folds on top.
Repeat with second bag!

Step 5: Make and Attach Stars

Using the handle of your clay tool, roll out the brown clay. Flatten it out to the thickness of a dime.
Cut out two stars using the star punch.
Attach a star to the front of one of the bell bags. You just need to place them on and push slightly, making sure all of the edges are flat. The clay will stick to itself.
Repeat with second bag!

Step 6: Begin Making Red String

To make the string, start by rolling out the red clay with your fingers into a long strand.
Roll it out to about the same thickness of your wire.
Cut off a long piece and gently wrap it around the bag, leaving one side longer than the other.
Gently press the string into the bag with your clay tool all the way around, leaving a small space for the bow to go.
Repeat with second bag!

Step 7: Make First String Loop

Using the clay tool, take the longer side of the string and make a loop.
Gently press the inside of the loop into the bag so it sticks.
Cut the excess string to desired length and set aside. (do not discard!)
Repeat on other bag!

Step 8: Make and Attach Second String Loop

Using the excess string cut from the first loop, make and cut a second loop.
Pinch it together in the middle so it doesn't come apart.
using the clay tool, place the second loop on the bag next to the other loop and press gently in the middle of the bow to make sure everything is attached.
Repeat on second bag!

Step 9: Make Wire Loop & Attach

We now need to make a loop for the earrings to hang from.

Take your wire and make a small loop with the round nose pliers.
Cut the wire to be slightly shorter than the bell bag.
Push the wire into the top of the bag. The loop should be about the same height as the folds of the bag, but not go through the bottom. If its too long just take it out and trim it. If it seems like the wire wont stay in its okay! It will be glued in later.
Repeat with second bag!

Step 10: Bake

This is what you should have so far. If the two bags don't exactly match that's okay! I made several pairs for friends and they all love them!

Take the completed bell bags and bake them according to your clay's package instructions. Each brand of clay is a little different. I baked mine at 235 for 20 Min.
Set aside to cool for 30 min.

Step 11: Super Glue Wire

Once the bell bags have cooled completely, carefully remove the wire loop from the top of the bag. ( You can just twist it until it comes loose).
Add a drop of super glue to the bottom of the wire (you only need a drop!) and slide it back into the hole.
Wait a minute for glue to dry completely and test to make sure that the wire is secure.
Repeat on second bag!

Step 12: Attach Earring

You can find these fishhook earrings at any craft store and even Walmart. They usually come with the jump rings to connect the earring to the jewelry.

Using a pair of pliers, open one of the jump rings by bending the two ends away from each other.
Put the jump ring through the loop on the top of one of the bags.
Before closing the jump ring, slide on the earring.
Close the jump ring by bending the two ends back onto each other.
Twist the loop at the end of the earring (not the loop glued into the bag) as needed to make sure the bell bag is facing forward.
Repeat on second bag!

Step 13: Enjoy Your New Earrings!

That's it you've finished your Bell Bag Earrings!

Put them on and show off your love of Animal Crossing!

These were super fun to make and all of my friends loved them. If you make these please let me know what you think! I'm new to making tutorials so I would love to hear your feedback. Thank you and have fun!