Retired - First Butterflies of Spring 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. Begin but cutting off the ball end of one of your silver plated head pins. Using the wider back part of your round nose pliers, create a large simple wire loop. Open this loop like you would open a jump ring and insert your Austrian crystal 10mm pear pendant. Close the loop. Thread onto the wire an Austrian crystal 6mm amethyst blend butterfly and an Austrian crystal 4mm light amethyst bicone bead. Create another simple wire loop at the top and cut off excess wire using your flush cutters. Repeat this step to create an identical second dangle.
2. Follow the same instructions as in step one to make your third dangle but add another butterfly above the bicone bead and then add another bicone bead above your second butterfly. Create a simple wire loop to finish the longer dangle.
3. Now we are going to make the hoop from which to hang your dangles. Find an cylindric object around your house which is about the same size around as a dime. We used a thick pen. Wrap a headpin around the cylindric object, making sure to make it so the ends of the headpin overlap evenly once you have made a circle. Remove your object. You will notice that the circle (hoop) does not stay enclosed but springs outward, that is ok at this point.
4. From the end of the curved headpin that does not have the ball, place onto it:
5. 1 - 4mm bicone bead
6. 1 - short Austrian crystal dangle from step 1
7. 1 - 4mm bicone bead
8. the long Austrian crystal dangle from step 2
9. 1 - 4mm bicone bead
10. 1 - short Austrian crystal dangle from step 1
11. 1 - 4mm bicone bead
12. To get your hoop to stay shut and keep your beads and dangles from falling off, take your round nose pliers and create a simple wire loop on the end of the head pin which does not have the ball. Create the loop so that it will encircle the other end of the head pin. Slide the ball end of the head pin through this simple loop. Make sure to close the loop to secure the two sides and complete your hoop.
13. The end of your head pin with the ball should be sticking out of your hoop at this point. Take your round nose pliers and gently make a simple wire loop. Do not cut the ball off, it adds a nice decorative touch.
14. Take your earring hook and open the loop at the bottom of it like a jump ring. Slide the loop you made in the previous step onto your earring hook loop and then close it like a jump ring.
15. Follow these instructions again to make your matched earring pair.
16. Happy Spring!

• SWC-99974 - Austrian Crystal, 6128 Mini Pear Pendants 10mm, 6 Pieces, Crystal
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• SWBI-1492 - Austrian Crystal, 5328 Bicone Beads 4mm, 24 Pieces, Light Amethyst
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• SWC-86302 - Austrian Crystal, 5754 Butterfly Beads 6mm, 8 Pieces, Amethyst Blend
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FHP-3003 - Silver Plated 2mm Ball Head Pins 21 Gauge 3 Inches (x20)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FEA-8570 - Silver Plated Earring Hooks Ear Wires With Teardrop Detail (5 Pairs)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers