Festive jewellery is a Christmas staple, but a handmade pair of earrings is far more special than anything off the high street. These snowman earrings stack a few Swarovski crystal beads and sew-on crystals on a single headpin to build a cute little snowman, complete with a scarf and a top hat. When someone asks where you got them, you can say you made them yourself.
As an official Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner, we supply genuine Swarovski crystals direct from Austria, with no minimum order. The make itself is simple: there is no weaving or complicated wirework, just beads threaded in the right order and a single loop at the top. We chose a classic red scarf and black top hat, but the scarf and hat colours are the easy parts to recolour. Here is everything you need, then the steps.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner, a perfect first beaded earring project
- Time: Around 30 minutes for the pair
- Crystals used: Swarovski Crystal AB round beads, with sew-on Lochrose crystals and a cube bead for the scarf and hat
- Technique: Threading a beaded headpin and turning a simple loop
What you'll need
The quantities below make one pair. Add the beads and findings to your cart from the cards underneath. The round nose pliers and side cutters are reusable across every jewellery project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Swarovski Round Bead 5000, 6mm, Crystal ABThe snowman's body and head4
- Lochrose Sew-On Crystal 3188, 5mm, Light SiamThe red scarf2
- Lochrose Sew-On Crystal 3188, 5mm, JetThe hat brim2
- Cube Bead 5601, 4mm, JetThe top hat2
- Silver Plated Flat End Headpins, 1 inchThe body the beads sit on2
- Silver Plated Fish Hook Ear WiresFor hanging the snowmen1 pair
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to make snowman earrings
Step 1: Thread the snowman
Take a headpin and thread the beads on from the flat end upwards, building the snowman as you go: first a round bead for the body, then the Light Siam Lochrose for the red scarf, then a second round bead for the head, then the Jet Lochrose for the hat brim, and finally the Jet cube bead on top as the hat. Sit everything snugly together.
Step 2: Turn the loop
Bend the wire to a right angle just above the cube bead, then roll the end into a small, neat loop with round nose pliers and trim the excess with side cutters. Keep the loop round and fully closed at the base, as this is what the ear wire will hang from.
Step 3: Attach the ear wire
Open the loop on the fish hook ear wire by twisting it sideways, never pulling it apart, since a twisting motion keeps the metal strong. Hook on your beaded snowman, then twist the loop closed again. Pulling a loop open stretches and weakens the wire, so always twist to open and close.
Step 4: Make the matching earring
Repeat every step to build the second snowman, checking it against the first so the pair hangs at the same length. Give both loops a gentle squeeze to confirm they are closed, and your festive snowman earrings are ready to wear or gift.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make snowman earrings?
Thread beads onto a headpin in snowman order: a round bead body, a red sew-on crystal scarf, a round bead head, a dark sew-on crystal hat brim, and a cube bead hat. Turn a loop at the top with round nose pliers, trim the excess, then twist on an ear wire. Repeat for the second earring.
What beads make up the snowman shape?
Each snowman uses two round beads stacked for the body and head, a Light Siam Lochrose crystal between them as the scarf, a Jet Lochrose crystal for the hat brim, and a small Jet cube bead on top for the top hat. Threaded in that order, the beads naturally form a snowman silhouette.
Can I change the colours of the snowman earrings?
Yes, and the scarf and hat are the easiest parts to restyle. Swap the Light Siam Lochrose for any colour scarf, and change the cube and Lochrose hat to match. The round body beads can change too, so you can make a whole family of snowmen in different festive colour schemes.
Can you thread sew-on Lochrose crystals like beads?
Yes. Lochrose sew-on crystals have a central hole, so they slide straight onto a headpin just like a bead, sitting flat to catch the light. That flat, faceted shape is what gives the scarf and hat their crisp edges against the round body beads in this design.
How do you open a loop without weakening it?
Always twist the loop sideways to open it, moving one side towards you and the other away, rather than pulling the ends straight apart. Pulling distorts the round shape and work-hardens the metal until it snaps, while a twisting motion keeps the loop strong and lets it close cleanly.
What components and sizes do I need for one pair?
For two earrings you need four 6mm round beads, two 5mm Light Siam Lochrose crystals, two 5mm Jet Lochrose crystals, two 4mm Jet cube beads, two one-inch flat end headpins and one pair of fish hook ear wires. You will also need round nose pliers and side cutters, which are reusable.
Make it your own
Snowmen are just the start of a handmade festive earring set. Keep the same simple-loop technique and build out the collection: see how to make beaded angel earrings and Christmas tree earrings, or browse the full Craft Studio for more festive makes.
