Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since
this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.
By following the instructions below you will make one earring. Repeat all instructions to make the second earring.
- Cut a 6 inch length of 20 gauge antiqued brass wire. Straighten the wire with nylon jaw pliers if necessary.
- Shape the wire with your fingers around a 1 inch wooden dapping form, using it as a mandrel (if you don't have a mandrel, you can use any other cylindrical object, such as a glue stick). Mold the wire into a rounded shape until the ends of the wire cross.
- Using flush cutters, cut one of the wire ends so it measures 1/2 inch from where the ends cross.
- Grip the shortened wire end in the jaws of your round nose pliers, near the tip, and roll your wrist forward to create a simple loop.
- Then grip both ends of the wire securely in your chain nose pliers, below where they cross, and wrap the longer wire end around the neck of the loop from the previous step twice. Cut off the excess wire with flush cutters. Now your teardrop shaped wire frame is complete.
- Cut a 2 foot length of 26 gauge antiqued brass wire. You will now wire wrap the beads onto the bottom of the frame.
- Watch our video on how to wire wrap beads onto a form. Following the directions in the video, make an anchoring wrap about 1/3 of the way up one side of the teardrop form, wrapping downward toward the bottom of the frame. Make 24 more wraps, wrapping downward along the frame. Then wire wrap 7 turquoise metal seed beads along the bottom of the frame, with 2 plain wraps between each bead. After you have wrapped all of the beads, make an additional 25 wire wraps up the other wide of the frame.
- Next, please watch our video on how to wire wrap rows of beads onto a form. String about 16 orange metal seed beads onto your wire, enough to stretch across to the other side of your wire frame (the number may vary since any two handmade frames may not be exactly the same size!). Make 5 wire wraps on the other side of the frame.
- String about 17 yellow metal seed beads onto your wire. Make 5 wire wraps on the other side of the frame.
- String about 17 purple metal seed beads onto your wire. Make 5 wire wraps on the other side of the frame.
- String about 16 red metal seed beads onto your wire. Make 5 wire wraps on the other side of the frame.
- String about 15 turquoise metal seed beads onto your wire. Make 5 wire wraps on the other side of the frame. Cut off the excess wire with flush cutters.
- Open the loop of an earring hook the same way you would open a jump ring. Slide it through the loop at the top of your teardrop wire frame. Close the loop.
- Enjoy your earrings!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: (scroll down for purchase options)
- BMS-1007 - Colored Metal Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Size, 10 Grams, Turquoise
Project uses 44 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- BMS-1004 - Colored Metal Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Size, 10 Grams, Orange
Project uses 32 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- BMS-1008 - Colored Metal Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Size, 10 Grams, Yellow
Project uses 34 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- BMS-1005 - Colored Metal Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Size, 10 Grams, Purple
Project uses 34 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- BMS-1006 - Colored Metal Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Size, 10 Grams, Red
Project uses 32 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- WCR-4200 - Artistic Wire, Copper Craft Wire 20 Gauge Thick, 15 Yard Spool, Antiqued Brass
Project uses 12 inches. You will need 1 package.
- WCR-4202 - Artistic Wire, Copper Craft Wire 26 Gauge Thick, 30 Yard Spool, Antiqued Brass
Project uses 48 inches. You will need 1 package.
- FEA-6640 - Vintaj Natural Brass Round Loop Ear Wire 25mm (2 Pair)
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS:- XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
- XTL-0020 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
- XTL-0021 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Round Nose Jeweller's Pliers
- XTL-0074 - Eurotool Nylon Jaw Pliers Chain Nose- For Scratch-Free Wire Work
- XTL-0259 - Domed Wooden Dapping Shaping Forms in Assorted Sizes for Metal
For closed captions/subtitles, click the CC icon on the video player after starting the video.
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