In this video I demonstrate my unique process on how to create “Translucent Rice Paper Hoop Earrings.”
Visit to learn more about my jewelry creations.
The introductory music at the beginning of the video, and at the end is from an original composition by George Barbera, entitled “Cloud Kingdom.” He has given me exclusive rights to use this composition in my videos. His music is available at www.georgebarbera.com
The translucent rice paper earrings consist of a combination of rice paper, watercolor and wire. The paper is adhered to the wire using white glue. Once the glue has dried and the rice paper has been tinted with watercolor, the rice paper is varnished with clear acrylic gloss varnish. The application of varnish results in a piece that is beautifully colored and translucent. What is particularly nice about using rice paper is (aside from its translucency, resulting from the application of varnish) the fibrous nature of the paper makes it a very strong paper to work with, and yet it is beautifully thin. The paper is also characterized by embedded tiny filaments that give the earrings a unique look.
Hi Ross. Thanks for the beautiful video. Please tell me what this rice
paper is and where I can get it.
Thanks. Regards
I thought this would be difficult, but after watching this , i will give it
a try. I have all the tools. Great idea.
What a great idea! These look beautiful, and your tutorial was so easy to
follow. Thank you for showing each step so clearly. I have all of the
supplies on hand and look forward to making earrings with these methods.
I have on hand some minwax clear semi gloss polyurethane. Could I use that
or does it need to be the water soluble product that you favor?
Translucent Rice Paper Hoop Earrings, Jewelry Des…:
Ross I love your creativity, I would like to know what gauge is your
wire,,, and where I must buy it… sorry I am new at this, and is your
FAULT, because your wonderful tutorials I have the desire to do it all!!
Hi Ross, just wanted to say a big thank you for putting this video online.
Really interesting technique that I will definitely have a go at. I agree
with others that you come across really well – easy to listen to and
comprehend and good close up shots. Looking forward to checking out your
website and some of your other videos. All the best, Beccy.
Those are GORGEOUS!!! TFS luv! ♥ dig
It’s kind of funny that your name is Ross, because you are a delight to
listen to, kind of like a mixed-media Bob Ross. 🙂
These are really awesome! I have some scrapbook paper I thought might be
cute to do something like this with, but then I thought perhaps adding mod
podge dimensional magic to the front where the metal’s on top of the paper
might be fun too. I think I’ll try it out tonight. 😀 Thank you for sharing
your wonderful ideas!! Got my own gears turning now lol
que usa para los aros papel? la parte pintada?
I’m going to use this with my students. I think they will love it!
Awwww I want to make these.
Hehe ..I cant stop myself from watching your videos.. I am so amazed with
how talented you are. All I can say is … Stunning
Thank you for sharing 🙂
You are truly amazing! Love the earrings and all of your tutorials. Keep
’em comin’!
anything, very good video!!
Thank you yes I got my rice paper I bought four rolls of it so I will never
run out but thank you I am still watching your video I’ve learned a lot
from you I love making earrings have my own business thank you joanne
Nice tutorial, you inspired me to make some creative jewelry pieces using
this design. Do you know where I can find and buy jewelry wire in bulk?
Only sugest u, to use alpaca and cover it with no color nail polish, So it
looks like a true jewel ;-)
I really like your hand mades. You ´ve very originals ideas.
when i saw the intro and it said by ross barbera i thought it said by rose
barbara and then when he started talking i freaked out!!!! XD
These earrings are gorgeous! Thank you for your helpful tutorial! I learned
a lot of great information!
Well Iam impressed with your generosity in sharing this unique technique
from start to finish , Not just a segment , You seem to be not just a
crafts person but an artist.
high regards
john
Love this project, seems fairly easy. Great idea !
Can you please put up more tutorials regarding watercolor paper
jewelry….I just love them!
I dont have any varnish so can I use white glue for that???
Does the Hanshi Rice Paper you referred to below from Sax Art, have the
visible fibers like the one you held up at the beginning of this video?
That’s the one I want. Thanks.
Hi, enjoyed your video. I haven’t tried this, but think I will! One
suggestion-I like my earrings to be mirror image-so I would construct them
and paint them opposite of each other. Looks more symetrical around the
face.
me encanto tu video, muy claro te felicito, soy de argentina que otro papel
se puede usar por que no se si conseguire por aca el papel de arroz
Lovely video. Easy to learn and I can’t wait to apply. Just bought a pack
of rice paper remnants and now I know what to do with it!
Omg the ideas art just flowing right now!!!!!!
Just wanted to let you know great video. I made three of these two for
earrings and the other for a pendant. All turned out perfect. Thanks again.
thanks for sharing your technique and knowledge, I like these very much and
love the idea of water coloring the rice paper. tc
Hi Ross I made my first pair of earring I use wax paper not rice paper
and I don’t like it. so I went out to see if I can find rice paper . the
store here don.t have any. I don.t know what I am going to do but I will
fine that rice paper some how love your video I have my owe business here
at my home .
thank you JoAnne do you have any other video
Thank you love your video I am going to try to make your Earring I hope I
can do it
I may be getting brave enough to attempt making some instructional videos.
I have a DSLR camera, but it doesn’t do video. Whatever equipment you are
using looks like the result I want. Would you mind sharing what equipment
you are using? Thank you – Janet
As a paper lover and jewelry-maker/dabbler, thank you so much for this
well-done video! Before painting, the circles of paper remind me of the
shimmery money plant. These are just beautiful! I have been in a state of
exhaustion and low motivation for a very long time due to a chronic health
condition, and if it weren’t 2 am, I would go hunting in my supplies for
the items needed to do this. There have been several times a little anvil
like yours would have come in handy. I am sure I need one now. =)
very very beautiful art!!! very Compliments!!
I love these earrings and this cool process of using rice paper. I learned
so much from you and can’t wait to make them. I am so glad your video came
up under recommendations when i opened you tube tonight! Excited to watch
other videos and learn more. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Beautiful. Love your ideas. One of the things I really enjoyed in your
video is that you add in option tools and techniques. I learned some good
techniques too. Thanks.
.
Muy creativo, me gusta cómo trabaja, felicidades.
Great idea with rice paper. Being Asian I’m familiar with rice paper but
the wire proves a problem. The craft stores here don’t carry them. Any
recommendation on where I can purchase it?
Yet another enjoyable video journey. The earrings look fun and interesting.
But just showing the making of hoops was a gift in itself. Thank you
Amazing and gorgeous
Dear Ross. I am looking for a good brand of tools.Can you make a sugestion
on where I could purchase tools that will stand the test of time.The craft
stores in my area are only supplying very low grade of tools that are not
doing a clean job. Help !
Thank You.
p/s your instructions are the best that I have ever found on Youtube.
Regards
Gladys
Cool stuff! I use delta ceramcoat for my paper jewelry. Do you think it
would work for this project?
These, like your water color earrings, are beautiful. Can you use ModPodge
or dimensional glue as a sealant rather than the varnish?
I cannot believe this has any dislikes. You are very concise and your work
is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed that and am off to make some now.
THANKYOU SO SO MUCH!!
you really owesomme teacher, were can I found or buy the material?
I am always looking for new jewelry ideas and really love this! I can now
do something with all the watercolor miniatures I have painted! Thanks for
the video
Hi, I can’t stop watching your videos. You are a great teacher and your
voice has the perfect pitch and you teach as if you were reading a
wonderful story. I can tell you really love what you do. Thank you so much
for sharing your gift. I’m going to give these a try; since you make it
look so simple. Friends and family members always have compliments on the
earrings I wear. How shocked they will be when I tell them I made these.
They are beautiful. I will definitely give you all the credit and if
anybody wants to know, will give them your name.
I just happened across your video and Love the idea. Thank you for the
detailed instructions… Look like Christmas presents to me! :-)
Just ran acrossed your channel and this video. Love the idea. Don’t know
where to find rice paper, is onion paper(this tells my age) the same thing
or is there another alternative paper? Wax paper? Parchment paper?
Would you be able to do multiple layers to maybe give it a 3-D effect?
Have watched this video several times. Ross, thank you so much for
producing it and sharing! You are wonderfully thorough — love that! I
purchased some rice paper from Amazon but it didn’t have the lines you have
in yours. Is that some type of special rice paper you are using?
If you like your earrings and you have good hands and a creative spirit,
this video is just what you were looking for.
It does look like it takes some work, but the results look absolutely
stunning.
thank you for your suggestion 🙂 I will give it a try
Hi Lynn – Not sure if you received this comment so trying one more time –
The person who commented just below has tried gift wrapping tissue paper
with success! You may want to give that a try, as I know several students
who like using this material as well. Hope this helps!
SaxArts or DickBlick are two places you may want to try online. Hope you
enjoy the project!
Oops, I should have said ear wires. I’ve so enjoyed all of you videos &
this one looks to me like one I might attempt as I’ve made a few loop
earrings (using my ring mandrel as the form.) I’ve tried locally to get
rice paper but it looks like I’ll have to order online.
Hi Judi, I happen to prefer to paint before attaching the paper to the
wire, as I don’t want the wire to restrict my composition, but it is
totally up to you, and I encourage you to try it! Thanks for watching and
for your comments! -Ross
You’re welcome. I would wear anything you make!
That is great – it is nice of you to comment – I appreciate it!
Thanks for your comment!
Hi Lynn – The person who commented just below has tried gift wrapping
tissue paper with success! You may want to give that a try, as I know
several students who like using this material as well. Hope this helps!
Fantastic like all your videos. Also love your innovative handmade tools. I
was wondering if attaching the wires before painting & varnishing would be
useful. You could then hang the earrings during the drying process. You’ve
really helped me ‘think’ about all of these processes. Thank you so much.
Judi
Yes, I enjoyed watching the video – even if I probably will never try to
make such ear pendants – but I love to see how they are made.
Yes some people have tried this readily available alternative with success!
Thanks for your comment!
That’s called ” giving it teeth”.
I have done these with gift wrapping tissue! I just used enough layers to
make it feel sturdy, 2-3. You won’t get the lovely inclusions as you would
with rice paper, but it still make a beautiful milky translucent material!
Hi Ross, is there any other kind of paper we can use to replace rice paper
for this earring? Thanks a lot
I prefer varnish that is water based, such as Minwax Polycrylic – epoxy
resin has fumes that I choose to avoid. Therefore I do not recommend epoxy
resin for my projects. Thanks for your question – I appreciate your
feedback! -Ross
Thank you so much for taking the time to produce these tutorials, I have
gained so much from you! In lieu of varnish, would epoxy resin work?
Gracias por ver mi video! Thank you for watching my video!
HERMOSOS
I left a shout out and a link to this post on my latest video “recycled
tube beads” thanks! Lindsay
Hope you enjoy the project as much as I do! The Frugal Crafter is an
excellent blog site! Thanks for watching and commenting!
What a wonderful tutorial. These earrings are beautiful. I found your video
through The Frugal Crafter blog, and am so glad I did. I’ll give this
project a try. Thank you.
So glad you like the tutorials and find them useful! Thanks very much for
your feedback!
They do have a delicate, translucent look that lends itself to many color
possibilities. Thanks for watching and commenting!
That is great news! Glad my technique is useful to you!
Great! This is a fun project – I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Thanks
for watching!
You’re welcome – glad you like the project! Thanks for watching!
Wow! So like my dad who was passionate about woodworking! I love these
tutorials!
These are so delicate and whimsical….My granddaughters will really enjoy
making these with me…Thank so much for sharing!!!
This is great! Lovely earrings! You have given me excellent information
that I can use with a project I have been wanting to do!
Just found your videos, and am delighted to have someone showing me things
I want to make!! TY!
Very creative, I luv the earrings Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I can’t wait ti try this! Great tutorial!
Merci pour regarder ma vidéo! Thanks for watching my video!
Ne pas mettre au fond du sac des filles!!
Hi – the process is the same when you use sterling silver. Thanks for
watching and commenting! I appreciate it!
Beautiful work. Can sterling silver wire be used as well? If so does
sterling silver require a different type of adhesive? Thank you for posting
your talent!
You’re welcome, and thank you for watching and commenting!
Wow! What a great way for me to say I dabble in watercolor. It certainly
gets me thinking outside my box. Thank you for sharing! Cheers! ~M
Muchas gracias por sus amables comentarios que usted! Thank you for your
kind comments!
maravilloso trabajo!!!
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Beautiful work !
Thank you for sharing your techniques.
Thank you for sharing your techniques.
Thank you for watching!
Good job.
Thank you for your kind comment! Grazas polo seu amable comentario!
me gusta un monton , desde pamplona
Thank you for your kind comments – I appreciate them!
Yes – I really enjoy working with the translucency of these papers. It
gives the pieces a wonderful, delicate quality.
I mean VELLUM paper ugh. I have use stamps with archival inks and stamped
vellum and dropped them into my resin castings , the paper , dissapears and
the image seems to float.
Thank you for sharing that, because I know where I can get parchment paper
but rice paper is much harder to find in my area.
Beautiful product. Even the process is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
subbed to your newsletter and watching your videos carefully and hoping I
get to come to one of your classes one day. Thank you for being so sharing
So glad you like this! I hope you’ll have a lot of fun with this project!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you very much for you kind comment, and thank you for watching my
videos!
ZOMG! Love this. Resin does the same thing with parchment papers! you just
keep inspiring!!
louve the work!! amazing knowledge and thank you for sharing, i even
enjoyed your paintaings.. they look so realistic 🙂
Hi Katrianna, I often buy wire from Rio Grande and Contenti, and use the
latter to purchase larger quantities. You may want to price them out to see
if their offerings are what you are looking for. I hope you enjoy the
projects! Thanks for watching!
Where do you buy your wire? I like to work with wire a lot, but I go
through rolls of it so quickly, I’m hoping to find a cheaper/bulk place to
purchase it from. Thanks! BTW I love your videos! What you do with
watercolour paper and wire is truly inspiring.
Thank you very much for watching and commenting!
Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge. Your craft is absolutely
beautiful!
I’ve always said it is “wearable art,” but I love how you stated it – that
you “bring [art] with me.” You are right! So well said. Thank you!
Everything is so very beautiful. I really love how you bring your art into
useful (jewelry IS useful) objects. Beauty on the walls is a necessity for
my life, but so is the ability to ‘bring it with me.’
Yes, you absolutely can, but the procedure is a bit more complex. I do what
you describe, but I mount the rice paper on a stretcher in order to
“suspend” it (so that there is nothing beneath it), then paint it.
Otherwise, the colors won’t flow optimally. Hope this helps! Thanks for
watching.
When working with the rice paper, can you paint a full sheet of paper
first, then move your hoops over it to decide which areas you would like to
use? Like you did in the watercolor paper bracelet. I just didn’t know if
the rice paper would be too thin, or wrinkle, fall apart, etc. Love your
videos!
Sure you can use watercolor paper, but you should watch my latest bracelet
video to see the steps needed to integrate the two media. Rice paper is
particularly nice for earrings, as it makes them light and translucent. I
get the rice paper on line at saxarts, but any good crafts store will
probably have it. Thanks for watching.
I usually use Minwax Polycrylic varnish which is water based. Thanks for
watching!
Can you use water color paper? Where can I find rice paper?
Can you please tell me which varnish you prefer the most? Thanks so much.
That’s great – I hope you’ll give it a try! Thanks for watching!
Great video. Very clear instruction. I have never used water colours or
made jewellry before but your video has inspired me to have a go! Thanks a
million!
Hi Bernadette, Varnish won’t make watercolor paper translucent, but why not
try several layers of rice paper painted with watercolor paint; then use
varnish as the glue between the layers? Let me know if you try it and how
it turns out! Best of luck! – Ross Barbera
Hello, i would like to know if the varnish you use also makes thicker
watercolor paper translucent. I am making lampshades and using oil to make
the paper translucent but it doesnot protect the paper. I like the way you
use watercolor to make earrings Hope you can help me. Thanks Bernadette
You *can* do it!! Working with rice paper and wire is a lot of fun and is
open to many possibilities. Enjoy the project, and thanks very much for
watching!
Just LOVED this. You make it look like even I could do it. Thank you for
sharing your talent!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
brilliant
Thankyou! <3
When I make rice paper bracelets the rice paper is always reinforced with a
16 gauge wire armature, and I always apply at least 6 coats of varnish.
Since the varnish is transparent, the transparency will never be lost. Any
kind of watercolor paints should work fine. Give what you have a try, and
let me know what happens. Also my winter newsletter will discuss bracelet
construction in detail. Thanks for watching!!
How many layers of varnish would be necessary for something more durable
like a bracelet? Or would it be too thick to be see-through at that point?
Also thank you for uploading these watercolor jewelry lessons. And will any
kind of watercolors work for these crafts, or is it just the really
expensive kind? I currently use the really cheap semi-wet pans they sell
for teachers ^^;
You may be right – I could have brushed to hard!
Sax has two type of paper that I like, both Japanese Rice Paper: one is
white mulberry (238038) and the other is unryu (423449). As for your other
question, with any good quality watercolor paint, this should not occur. I
use Winsor and Newton with great results. Also, I avoid brushing the
varnish, but flow it on instead. Since Minwax is water based, it is
possible that you may have dissolved the paint by brushing into it too
vigorously. I will try to address this in a coming blog post.
Hi again, thanks, Could you give me the brand of paper? I went to the site
but the pictures do not show the texture, they all just look plain. I have
some ideas on how to use this (without copying you) but I really love the
look of the texture.
Great! Thanks for watching my video!
I am looking into your first question and will get back to you. As for
purchasing rice paper, I get it on line at Sax Arts and Crafts website.
Thank you! Very nice! I think I’ll be making some of these in the future! <3
Very nice, I love your videos- two questions: I tried this with both
watercolor and stamping ink – both were dissolved by the minwax. Just
turned it into a blurred mess. Can you help with a why that would happen, I
let them dry over night. Second – can you tell me the brand and where you
purchased your rice paper? I cannot seem to find any with that nice
texture. Thanks so much!
Sorry for the delay in response – Hurricane Sandy took down power here.
Rice paper can be found at the saxarts website and many other good arts and
crafts sites. Thanks for watching!
Sorry for the delay in response – Hurricane Sandy took down power here.
Thanks very much for your comment!
I love your projects…♥♥♥…Where i found these Rice paper ?
U are brilliant love this 🙂
Thank you very much for your kind comments! I am glad that you enjoy the
projects!