Herringbone Wire Wrapped 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. Remember to double these instructions to make your matched set of earrings.
2. In completing these earrings, you will learn four great wire wrapping and wire working techniques. There is an easy to follow video for each technique, teaching you step by step how to complete the project.
3. Before beginning this project, watch the video How to Create a Herringbone Wire Wrapped Bead. Following the technique you learned in the video, cut an approximately 22 inch length of 24 gauge wire and herringbone wrap an 8mm Austrian crystal faux pearl in mystic black. Cut off excess wire with flush cutters.
4. Next, please watch this video, How to Make a Caged Bead. Following what you learned in the video, make a caged bead using 24 gauge silver colored wire and an 8mm Austrian crystal faux pearl in mystic black. The video has you adding an extra "kink" to the caged spiral, I chose not to add this flourish but you can do whatever you like. Cut off excess wire with flush cutters.
5. Now watch this video, How to Make Decorative Head Pins. Featured is how to make a spiral head pin. Cut a 3 inch length of 24 gauge wire and create a spiral head pin with 3 spirals on one end. Thread onto the wire 1 6mm Austrian crystal faux pearl in mystic black. Create a wrapped wire loop right after the bead. Cut off excess wire with flush cutters.
6. The final component to make for this project is the earring hook itself. This is a great skill to learn. Watch the video, How to Make Wire Hook Earrings, and make a pair using 22 gauge silver toned wire.
7. Now that all your parts have been made, we are going to connect them together using 4mm antique silver plated jump rings. Open a jump ring and attach the earring hook to the caged bead, the caged bead to the herringbone wrapped bead, and finally the herringbone wrapped bead to the 6mm bead on the spiral head pin.
8. Enjoy!

• SWP-8072 - Austrian Crystal, 5810 Round Faux Pearl Beads 8mm, 25 Pieces, Mystic Black
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• SWP-6072 - Austrian Crystal, 5810 Round Faux Pearl Beads 6mm, 50 Pieces, Mystic Black
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• WNT-2430 - Beadsmith Tarnish Resistant Silver Color Copper Wire 24 Gauge 30 Yards (27.4 Meters)
  Project uses 6 feet. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-3092 - Antiqued Silver Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• WNT-2230 - Beadsmith Tarnish Resistant Silver Color Copper Wire 22 Gauge 20 Yards (18.2 Meters)
  Project uses 6 inches. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-2152 - Beadsmith Jeweler's Chasing Hammer - 1 Inch Head - Metal Smithing
• XTL-0264 - Eurotool Dual Utility Bench Block 3 x 3 Inches - Steel Anvil With Wood Base
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex