The Craft Connection

Avoid Getting Pinched! Wear Shamrock Jewelry

by Shannon McMath

Green is the color of the day on St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t get caught without it or you’re liable to get pinched! But what if you have nothing green to wear or it’s just not your color? Well, make these cute Shamrock Earrings and Pin of course. They are quick and simple to make and are a great accessory for your St. Patty’s Day attire.

Kids will love making these for friends, family and teachers. Start by looking for a clover patch in your yard or neighborhood. (For those still in the depths of winter without any hint of green, you can cut half inch clovers out of construction paper as a replacement.) Choose several clovers of various sizes so you will have a lot of variety for your jewelry. Search hard and you just might find the elusive four leaf clover!

What You Need:

For the Shamrock Pin

• Larger Safety Pin
• Smaller Safety Pin
• Green Beads
• Colored Beads – for rainbow pattern
• Clear Contact Paper
• Green Clover - or cut out paper shamrocks
• Pliers
• Small Hole Punch
• Scissors

For the Shamrock Earrings

• 2 Earring Hoops – available at most craft stores
• Green Beads
• Clear Contact Paper
• 2 Green Clovers – approximately the same size
• Small Hole Punch
• Scissors

Shamrock Pin

1. Cut two squares of contact paper, about 2”x2”. Peel the backing off of one piece and lay the clover onto it, pressing it flat.
    
2. Peel the backing from the other piece of contact paper and stick it to the piece with the clover on it, sandwiching it between. Press down firmly and try to avoid any air bubbles.
3. Now, trim the excess contact paper around the clover and punch a hole near the top.
4. Open the small safety pin and place the shamrock “charm” that you just made on it. Then use the colored beads to fill up the rest of the pin in a rainbow pattern. When it’s full, close it.
5. Using the pliers, unbend the coil on the large safety pin. This will allow you to put the beads all the way onto the pin and still be able to attach it to a shirt. Fill it half way the green beads then thread on the smaller safety pin with the shamrock charm. Fill the rest of the way with green beads and you’re done!

Shamrock Earrings