How to Make Earrings From Broken China Dishes

Susan Goode
by Susan Goode
3 Materials
$5
1 Hour
Medium

I really enjoy recycling old worn things to create and give some new life and use to. So I’d love to share with you my process of transforming old crockery plates dishes etc into unique ceramic earrings.

Using tile nippers on broken china
Shape your ceramic


I usually use wheeled tile nippers to cut into ceramic china tableware and shape. Always wear protective eye goggles/glasses too to ensure no splinters harm you.


It’s enjoyable therapeutic to be nibbling and shaping the ceramic to size you want. I like to find a floral vintage piece with an interesting pattern that can be similar on two earrings.

Cutting china with tile nippers
Cutting china with tile nippers
Sanding and smoothing


When you’ve got a rough shape it’s time to smooth the edges and I like to use a small hand held multi use tool that has a small grinding wheel attachment and it is a case of going over the edges until you’ve got a smooth edge and two earrings you feel are similar shape. In making your own jewellery this way the fact that it has imperfections and little differences adds to the charm so don’t worry too much about being perfect.

Hand held rotary sander
Assembly


I use a different tip on the same hand held tool to drill a ear wire hole but you can skip this step and glue a bail loop onto the ceramic to support earwires if you want to.

Then the final fun part is a case of assembling the earrings. I use sterling silver hooks and link rings. I use a pair of round nosed pliers but you can also do this without if you have good eyesight.

Assemble earrings
Earring assembly
Earring assembly

I am happy with these unique little sunny yellow floral dangles and pink rose lovelies made from discarded broken vintage ceramic tableware.

Yellow floral broken china earrings
Pink floral ceramic earrings
Suggested materials:
  • Old ceramic china tableware   (Charity shops)
  • Wheeled Tile nippers   (Amazon)
  • Silver Earrings wires hooks rings   (AmaZon)

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Comments
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  • Susan Goode Susan Goode on Jan 08, 2021

    Yes it’s a mini hand held drill sander with multi attachments although not this brand any will do the job and I like to have the extended add on lead to add a easier use which are easily buyable. Hope to be doing more tutorials on my blogs so look out for some more tips.

  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Jan 08, 2021

    wow, these are really special!

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