Wendy Davies
How many times have you lost one of your earrings? There isn’t much you can do, other than groan and moan about the loss, because one earring on its own isn’t going to cut it unless you are in a rock band or some strange cult. Indeed, losing one earring (not both) happened to me back in the dark distant past. And I never wanted to be left with one lonely, useless earring ever again.
A loss turned into my gain
So, this story began when I was young. I had a job, but not much money. I’d had my ears pierced after being dragged into a chemist by “a friend”, being told I wasn’t leaving until I had a hole in each earlobe. Luckily, I didn’t faint, nor did I get an infection, so it all turned out okay, I guess. Anyway, at the start of this story, I didn’t own many earrings. I had maybe five pairs. (I can’t really remember. This was a long time ago, after all.)
And then I lost one earring.
It was a tragedy. It was devastating. Not just because it was my all-time favourite pair, but because I couldn’t just go out and replace it. Well, maybe I could. But with paying my rent, buying food, getting to and from work and all that, there wasn’t that much spare cash around to ‘waste’ on purchasing more earrings.
Learning something new
Then an opportunity arose to learn how to make earrings myself. I didn’t hesitate. I put my name down almost before I’d finished reading all the fine print.
Little did I know that this simple decision would change my life (not really). But it did introduce me to a lifelong obsession… No, that’s not really true. It’s more a lifelong passion, not an obsession (or that’s what I keep telling myself anyway). And now I’m passing that passion on to those who attend my classes.
Yes, anyone can. 
The thing with earrings is that they are not that hard to make. If I can do it, anyone can.
Yes, I can hear my students groaning, saying that’s okay for me to say seeing as I’ve been doing it for years and years, but it isn’t as easy as I keep insisting it is. Why hadn’t I warned them how hard it is to get your head around how to hold your pliers correctly? (I had.) Why hadn’t I told them about the contortions they have to put their wrist and hand through? (Again, I did, and very few contortionist actions were involved! Besides, it’s something I’m happy to show as many times as necessary until they get it right.)
Seriously, making your own earrings isn’t that difficult. Yes, it takes a bit of effort and some practice. And like learning anything new, it’s all strange and difficult and hard at first. But it is more than possible to pick up. I am right there beside you, every step of the way, encouraging and correcting and generally being patient and kind…
Creativity starts with new knowledge
Okay. Enough. Back to the purpose of this story: earrings. [But honestly, once you accomplish making your very first earrings you will never regret it. And, my goodness, the things you can create thereafter are incredibly, amazingly vast.]
So, after waiting patiently for way too long (and wearing my least favourite pair of earrings every day), I dutifully went along to my classes. I was just as overwhelmed as any of my students, though they do look at me rather skeptically when I tell them this. I really did think I would never get the hang of it, but surprisingly, I came away from that class with an amazing pair of earrings. I still have them. And I still wear it regularly. [And no, I’ve never had to fix, change, or repair them, so I must have done something right.] In case you are interested, here’s what they look like:
Yep. They are long and dangly, but seeing as I have a long neck, they hang beautifully on me, and I always beam proudly when I wear them.
After that amazing success, nothing could have stopped me from making more. And more. And more. (I now have so many earrings it’s sometimes difficult to choose which pair I’ll wear that day.)
And if I lose one?
I can always make another. Or I take the opportunity and redesign or change them into something entirely different, adding yet another pair of earrings to my collection.
No regrets
I have no regrets about undertaking that course, even if it did change my life, just a tad. Because all the images shown are just some of my extensive collection. Yes, I am showing off, just a little, but what can I say? I really do enjoy making earrings. And teaching others how to do so as well.
So, if you want to know how to make your own earrings (and never be left with one lonely earring ever again) well, you should join one of my beginner jewellery classes at the Thurgoona Community Centre. These classes are held over six weeks on a Friday. You don’t need anything, just your enthusiasm, to start. So, contact the Centre for more information, including when the next classes will start.
For more information contact TCC at 60431588 or email [email protected] Information about the classes can be found at Jewellery Classes