Retired - Talisman Earrings

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.

1. Cut a 6 inch length of 20 gauge silver wire. Straighten the wire with nylon jaw pliers if necessary, and use a wire rounder tool to smooth any burrs on the ends of the wire.
2. Hold a small, circular mandrel (such as a pen or a 1/4 inch dowel) in the center of the wire and bend the wire in half around it, keeping the sides of the wire parallel. Take one glass evil eye bead and hold it in the bend of the wire. Mold the wire with your fingers so the wire frame hugs the bead loosely.
3. Cut an 8 inch length of 28 gauge silver wire.
4. Watch our video on how to wire wrap rows of beads onto a form. Following the technique shown in the video, make 6 anchoring wraps on one side of the wire frame near the bend, wrapping downward. String the glass evil eye bead, and adjust the wire coil so the bead fits snugly in the bend of the frame. Then make 6 wraps on the other side of the wire frame, wrapping upward. Cut off the excess wire with flush cutters.
5. Measure 1 1/2 inches from the rounded bend in the wire and hold the wire frame so the ends cross at that point. Using flat nose pliers, create a slight bend in each wire end so they are both pointing straight up.
6. Use your round nose pliers to create a simple wire loop on one end of the wire. Cut off the excess wire with flush cutters. Repeat this step for the other end of the wire. You should have two parallel loops at the top of the wire frame. Set this piece aside.
7. Cut a 20 inch length of 28 gauge silver wire.
8. Next, watch our video on how to do over-under basket weave wire wrapping. Make 3 anchoring wraps on one side of the frame above the evil eye bead, then weave a tight basket weave all the way up the frame, making one coil between every basket weave wrap. Your frame will taper toward the top as you wrap it. When you reach the top of the frame, make 3 more anchoring wraps. Cut off the excess wire with flush cutters.
9. Open a 4mm jump ring. Slide it through both loops at the top of the wire frame. Close the jump ring.
10. Open the loop of an earring hook. Slide on the jump ring from the previous step. Close the loop.
11. Enjoy your earrings!

• WCR-2030 - Artistic Wire, Silver Plated Craft Wire 20 Gauge Thick, 6 Yard Spool, Tarnish Resistant Silver
  Project uses 12 inches. You will need 1 package.


• WCR-2830 - Artistic Wire, Silver Plated Craft Wire 28 Gauge Thick, 15 Yard Spool, Tarnish Resistant Silver
  Project uses 56 inches. You will need 1 package.


• BGL-9570 - Lampwork Glass Novelty Evil Eye Beads 10mm Round Dark Blue (20)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-3911 - Silver Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 20 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FEA-3070 - Silver Plated French Wire Earring Hooks 18mm (25 Pairs)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-0074 - Eurotool Nylon Jaw Pliers Chain Nose- For Scratch-Free Wire Work
• XTL-0131 - Wire Rounder Tool With Wooden Handle 1.8mm Cup Bur