Crochet Pattern: Easy Beaded Snowflake Earrings

I have not been posting much lately due to depression and grief for the loss of my mother.  I don't think it's something I'll get over but may overcome some grief at some point.  Whether I do or not is not the point.  The point is I've not been crocheting a whole lot, nothing to mention anyway.  I do not have the energy or motivation it takes to do much of anything at all.

I wanted to do something for Christmas and these are all I could come up with so far.  I hope you enjoy them.

For Beaded Snowflake Earrings:

Materials: 
Size 10 crochet thread
Size 11 steel crochet hook
36 tiny beads, 2 small crystals
2 earring hooks (get at Joanne's) or tiny studs (with clear stone)

Follow directions from beginning to end twice.

Begin by stringing 18 tiny beads and then one crystal onto the thread
Chain 6, slide the crystal up to your hook, sl st into first ch (6th from hook) to form ring.
ch 1, sc inside ring.
** Ch 6, dc in 3rd ch from hook, work triple picot* (see instructions below), sl st into top loop and front post of previous dc, make dc in same ch as previous dc, ch 4, sc into ring**  work directions between ** and ** six times total.  Instead of working sc into ring for last repeat, sl st into first sc made to join.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Spray heavily with fabric starch  and press with hot iron to stiffen and block; be careful not to leave iron on work too long to avoid burning starch or melting beads if you used plastic beads.
Attach earring hook (or stud) into middle of one triple picot.  Enjoy!

Triple picot:  *ch 1, slide bead up to hook, ch 2, sl st in third ch from hook*  work between * and * three times total.