Apiary Earrings

PROJECT E8057
Designer: Alexandra Smith
Skill Level: Intermediate
All hail to the hive! These garden-inspired earrings combine 2-hole honeycomb beads with Cymbal bead substitutes and bronze Toho 11/0 demi round seed beads. The design is wire wrapped onto a hexagonal wire frame and features a bright gold TierraCast bee charm.
Instructions

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. If you are new to wire wrapping, please watch the video: How to Wire Wrap Rows of Beads onto a Form. This video offers tips and techniques that will be helpful in creating this design.
  1. Begin by using flush cutters to cut 5 inches of 28 gauge wire and coil three times around one side of your wire frame, approximately 1/8 inch from one of the six angles of your hexagon.
  2. Slide on the following beads: two bronze seed beads, one Cymbal bead substitute, two bronze seed beads.
  3. Coil three times around the opposite side of your wire frame and clip the excess wire.
  4. Now cut 5 inches of wire and coil three times around the side of your frame 1/8 inch from your previous coil.
  5. Slide on the following beads: one green honeycomb bead, the second hole of your Cymbal bead substitute from step 2, one green honeycomb bead. Repeat step 3 to secure the end of your wire.
  6. Repeat step 4 to attach a third section of wire to your frame and slide on the following beads: the second hole of your first green honeycomb bead, one Cymbal bead substitute, the second hole of your other green honeycomb bead. Repeat step 3 to secure the end of your wire.
  7. Repeat step 4 again to attach a fourth section of wire to your frame and slide on the following beads: two bronze seed beads, the second hole of the Cymbal bead substitute from step 6, two bronze seed beads. Repeat step 3 to secure the end of your wire.
  8. To hang your bee charm and Cymbal hexagon with loop: Use pliers to open a 4mm jump ring and slide on the loop of your Cymbal hexagon. Also slide on one side of your wire frame without wire wraps (see photo for reference). Close the jump ring.
  9. Open another jump ring and slide it through the hole on the other side of your Cymbal hexagon. Close the jump ring.
  10. Now open one more jump ring and slide on the loop of your bee charm. Also slide on the jump ring from the previous step. Close the jump ring.
  11. To attach your earring hook: Use pliers to gently open the loop of your earring hook. Slide on the opposite edge of your wire frame from which you hung your charm in the previous step. Close the loop. Enjoy your earrings!
Once completed, your earring will hang with the wire wrapped beads tilted at an angle. This is due to the hexagonal shape of the frame, as well as the weight of the dangling charm.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: (scroll down for purchase options)
  • FCO-301 - Open Bead Frame Links, Hexagon 17.5mm, 4 Pieces, Matte Gold Tone
    Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.

  • PND-5009 - TierraCast 22K Gold Plated Pewter Honey Bee Charm 11.7mm (1)
    Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 2 packages.

  • BMB-0019 - Cymbal Bead Substitute for Honeycomb Beads, Stelida, 2-Hole Hexagon with Flower Design 6mm, 10 Pieces, 24K Gold Plated
    Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.

  • BMB-0021 - Cymbal Bead Substitute for Honeycomb Beads, Maragas, Hexagon with Loop 6mm, 4 Pieces, 24K Gold Plated
    Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.

  • BCH-0196 - Czech Glass Honeycomb Beads, 2-Hole Hexagon 6mm, 30 Pieces, Metallic Gold Splash on Wasabi Green
    Project uses 4 beads. You will need 1 package.

  • DRH-0008 - Toho Demi Round Seed Beads, Thin 11/0 (2.2mm) Size, 7.8 Grams, 221 Bronze
    Project uses 16 beads. You will need 1 package.

  • FJR-5240 - 22K Gold Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (x100)
    Project uses 6 pieces. You will need 1 package.

  • FEA-007 - French Ear Wire, with 1.5mm Ball End 27x11mm, 2 Pieces, 14K Gold Filled
    Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.

  • WNT-2833 - Beadsmith Tarnish Resistant Gold Color Copper Wire 28 Gauge 40 Yards (36.5 Meters)
    Project uses 40 inches. You will need 1 package.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS:
  • XTL-5600 - Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - For Cutting Beading Wire, 1 Piece
  • XTL-0034 - Wubbers Classic Series Round Nose Quality Jeweller's Pliers
  • XTL-0020 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
Additional Information
Theme Spring
Ingredients FCO-301, PND-5009, BMB-0019, BMB-0021, BCH-0196, DRH-0008, FJR-5240, FEA-007, WNT-2833,

Purchase Components

Purchase the components needed to make this project. Change quantities as needed to make multiple pieces. Tip: Save this project to your wishlist to easily return to project instructions.
Open Bead Frame Links, Hexagon 17.5mm, Matte Gold Tone (4 Pieces)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 4 Pieces.
$4.69 / Package | SKU: FCO-301
You will need 2 package(s).
1 package = .
/ Package | SKU: PND-5009
Cymbal Bead Substitute for Honeycomb Beads, Stelida, 2-Hole Hexagon, Flower, 24K Gold Plated (10 Pc)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 10 Pieces.
$8.99 / Package | SKU: BMB-0019
Cymbal Bead Substitute for Honeycomb Beads, Maragas, Hexagon, Loop 6mm, 24K Gold Plt (4 Pieces)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 4 Pieces.
$3.90 / Package | SKU: BMB-0021
Czech Glass Honeycomb Beads, 2-Hole Hexagon 6mm, Metallic Gold Splash on Wasabi Green (30 Pieces)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 30 Pieces.
$4.39 / Package | SKU: BCH-0196
Toho Demi Round Seed Beads, Thin 11/0 (2.2mm) Size, #221 Bronze (7.8 Grams)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 1 Tube.
$6.89 / Package | SKU: DRH-0008
22K Gold Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (100 pcs)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 100 Pieces.
$3.27 / Package | SKU: FJR-5240
French Ear Wire, with 1.5mm Ball End 27x11mm 14K Gold-Filled (1 Pair)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 1 Pair.
$4.67 / Package | SKU: FEA-007
Wire Elements, Tarnish Resistant Gold Color Copper Wire, 28 Gauge 40 Yards (36.5 Meters)
You will need 1 package(s).
1 package = 1 Spool.
$10.99 / Package | SKU: WNT-2833
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Tools and Other Supplies:

Wubbers Classic Series Round Nose Quality Jeweller's Pliers
Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
$32.99 / Package | SKU: XTL-0020

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