Introduction: Wine Cork Bee Earrings
I was in my yard recently when I realized that our hanging bird house had become a hanging bee house. It was so wonderful to see that a colony of bumble bees had made their home at our home. We couldn't keep the hive where it was, but I had a local beekeeper take the whole bee house to a nearby apiary.
Right after, I saw the bee contest come up and really wanted to do something beeish. Since I make jewelry and live near lots of wineries, these super easy recycled wine cork bee earrings seemed perfect. And I love how the cork texture brings out the bee fuzziness!
Tie these bee earrings onto a jar of local honey for an awesome gift : )
Step 1: What You Need
Old wine corks (each cork makes 1-2 pairs)
Bee rubber stamp
Permanent ink stamp pad
22 gauge eye pins
Earring wires (I like surgical steel)
Yellow acrylic paint (optional)
Serrated knife
Sand paper
Dust rag
Step 2: Cut the Cork
Use a sharp serrated knife to cut slices of cork. About 6mm is a good width.
Step 3: Sand the Cork
Lay a piece of medium sand paper on a flat surface. Sand the surfaces of your slices by moving them around the paper in large circles. Remember to sand both sides. Wipe off the dust with a damp cloth.
Step 4: Stamp the Bees
Use a rubber stamp and permanent black ink to stamp bees onto the cork. Stamp both sides.
Step 5: Add Hardware
Cut the end off a 22 gauge eye pin at an angle with wire cutters. This makes a pointy end to stick in the cork. Cut it short enough that the end won't poke through the other side.
Stick the eye pin firmly in one edge of the cork as far as it will go and add an ear wire to the loop.
Step 6: Finish Your Bees
Accent with waterproof yellow paint.
I like the rustic look, but you can add a varnish if you want.
Have fun!

Participated in the
Wedding Contest

Participated in the
Made By Bees Contest

Participated in the
Green Design Contest
16 Comments
6 years ago on Introduction
I made my mother a pair of earrings using your 'ible, but with dragonflies instead of bees. She loved them! Would you have a problem with me selling cork jewelry locally using your technique?
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Glad to hear it! Send a pic if you've got one. Have fun selling them as long as your local isn't the same as my local : )
I'm in the SF Bay Area.
I'd love to hear how it goes. What you charge, what your locals like, etc. (People by me love grapes and wine - I haven't sold a single bee yet.)
And THANK YOU for checking in about selling from my ible! I really appreciate it.
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
I had my mom send me a photo, so I accept no responsibility for the quality of it ;) There is a blue bead at the top of each, and I pushed a pin through the entire piece and bent my own eye at the top. That way they can swivel on the pin if she wants a different image facing out (they are stamped on both sides).
I'm in GA, so I think we're far enough apart, haha! If I do sell any, I'll pop back in and let you know what I was able to get for them. I'm not sure yet what people like here, although we do have a small local winery. I'd love to see if they'd sell some pieces for me.
You're very welcome, I felt like it was only right to ask. Have a great day, and thanks for the permission!
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
They look really cute! I wonder what they'd look like with some pearly green/blue pigment on the wings? Hmmm...
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
I'll have to try that out next time I make a pair :)
6 years ago on Introduction
Thank you! It's very sunshiny here in northern California - I hope it's nice and shiny where you are too!
6 years ago on Introduction
Very clever Rhonda. I like the design. Keep on shining!
sunshiine
6 years ago on Introduction
Stamping cork is a great idea :)
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! And fun too!
6 years ago on Introduction
This is the bee house. (I meant to put it in with the instruct able.) The inside is filled with fluff, like pillow stuffing, from the birds that lived there before. And now bumble bees. If you tap the house, they buzz like crazy.
6 years ago on Introduction
I never thought about stamping on cork. Very clever!
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
It's fun. Kinda like stamping on stamps!
6 years ago on Introduction
Interesting! Creative thought.
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thank You!
6 years ago
Very nice! Love 'em!
Reply 6 years ago
Thanks! Let me know if you make any.