Cloverleaf Connectors: My new favorite thing!

I am always looking for ways to incorporate messages or cute little phrases into my jewelry. I think a word or phrase can change the whole meaning of a piece of jewelry. By adding words, you can add emotion to your designs. So when we added new stamp-able Cloverleaf Connectors to our inventory, I just couldn’t resist making a pair of earrings to show off their stampability!

All six platings and all three sizes with the circle side showing.

All six platings and three sizes with the diamond side showing.

The connectors come in three sizes and six platings. The sizes are 9mm, 12mm and 16mm and the platings are raw brass, antique brass plated, antique silver plated, antique copper plated, gunmetal, and silver plated. They are also two sided and you can even stamp both sides! So let me show you how I created these and hopefully you will be inspired to create a pair of your own.

Everything needed to make these cute earrings. See the list below for links to the supplies.

I am an antique copper kinda girl myself so that is what I chose to use for this design. I wanted to make a somewhat whimsical pair of earrings, so I stamped WISH and WANT into the earrings, but you could choose any 4-letter word… naughty or nice 😉 … to convey your message. Here are the supplies needed to make these earrings:

• Cubic Zirconia Briolettes ( I used the 18mm pink ones)
• Cloverleaf Connectors ( I used 8 of the 12mm antique copper plated connectors)
• Copper wire (I used 26 gauge raw copper wire)
• Metal Stamps (I used the Siena Uppercase Set)
• Antiquing solution or sharpie ( I used Liver of Sulfur Gel)
• French earring hooks (I used antique copper plated plain french hooks)
• Jump Rings ( I used 24 solid copper oval jump rings)

Wire wrap the cubic zirconia briolettes. See the link at the bottom of the page to learn how to wire wrap a briolette.

Stamp your desired words onto the connectors. They are two-sided, so you can choose two different words to stamp.

Use an antiquing solution to darken the jewelry components. *note: plated findings are not intended to be antiqued. The patina will most likely not be consistent, but the intention is only to darken the lettering. *

I used Liver of Sulfur. When you mix the gel with warm water, it will make a yellow (saffron colored) solution.

After being antiqued, the copper components will turn black.

Use a little steel wool to buff away the patina, this will make the letters really “pop”.

See what a difference a little buffing can make!

Assemble the earrings, making sure all your letters are in the right order. They are stamped on both sides, so they are reversible.

Completed Wish & Want Earrings

Well I hope I have inspired you to add a little wording to your designs! The possibilities are truly endless! Worded bracelets, necklaces and earrings galore! If you need to learn how to wire wrap a briolette, go to our blog “How to Wire Wrap a Briolette” and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me! ~~Tiffany