JEWELRY TUTORIAL: Jem and the Holograms' Synergy Earrings

If you were a kid in the 80s, you are probably familiar with the cartoon "Jem and the Holograms". If not, you can catch up on Netflix. It's about a group of girls who are transformed into a colorful rock band with the help of Synergy, a computer and a special set of pink star earrings. Outside of their rock personas they run an girls orphanage and fight against corrupt people. Because a live action Jem movie is currently being made, I felt compelled to make my own pair of Synergy earrings.

Some reference photos from the cartoon.

Jem and the Holograms Earrings by azurafae

SUPPLIES:

• One old gift card
• Scissors
• 1 Dark washable marker
• Hot pink nail polish
• Hot pink glitter
• Clear nail polish
• 2 Small hot pink flat back gems
• 2 Large earring posts
• One tube of E6000
• Toothpick
• Plate or paper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) With the scissors, cut the gift card in half from one long side to the other, making two smaller rectangles.

2) Using the washable marker, draw a 7 point star shape on the back of one gift card piece. If you make a mistake, wipe the marks of the gift card and try again. It doesn't need to be perfect. Mine definitely aren't.

3) When you are satisfied with your star shape, carefully cut it out with the scissors.

4) Lay the star on top of the other gift card rectangle and trace around it with the washable marker.

If you can't figure out the star shape, use this template. You'll want to print it small, so it will fit on the gift card halves.

5) Cut the 2nd star out, a little inside the marker lines. They don't need to be an exact match, but generally close.

OPTIONAL: If you feel like they will stab you, use an emery board to round the points.

6) I applied my decorative stuff to the back of the gift card since it was mostly white and would make the pink pop well. With the toothpick, pick up a little glue from the opening of the E6000 tube. Apply this glue to the back of one flat back gem. Apply the gem firmly onto the center of the star. Do the same with the other star and gem. Wait for these to dry for a few minutes before moving on.

7) With the pink nail polish, paint a couple coats onto the white side of the stars. Let each coat dry fully before adding another. I did one coat over the gems too, so they would match the stars better.

8) Put the stars on the plate or paper. Working one or two point sections at a time, paint on a coat of pink nail polish. Sprinkle the pink glitter onto the wet nail polish. Continue doing this around the star until all points have glitter on them. Let this fully dry for a few minutes and repeat. I did one thin layer on the gems too, just to keep them consistent and extra sparkly. The the stars completely dry.

OPTIONAL: You can paint the edges with the pink nail polish too.

9) With the clear nail polish, paint on two coats onto the stars, letting them dry in between coats. This will seal in any loose glitter and add more shine to the stars. Let the stars dry completely before moving on.

10) With the toothpick, get a little E6000 glue from the tube opening. Spread it evenly on the back of one earring post. Firmly apply it to the center back of one star. Repeat with the other earring post and star. Let the backs dry for a few hours before wearing. It takes about 48 hours for the glue to fully cure, but it stabilizes in a couple hours.

OPTIONAL: If you want, you can paint a couple coats of pink or black nail polish onto the back, to cover the card graphics. I might do that later.

These are the finished earrings. They look brighter or darker in different lights. They are very sparkly.

That's all for this tutorial. If Jem's stars aren't your thing, you can use this tutorial for other shapes. You can use multiple colors of polish and glitter. Make them smaller, layered, dangly...what ever suits your needs. Happy Makery!