These pearl and crystal ear rings
were created with uneven pearl subtly complemented with a purple crystal hand
wrapped with gold filled wire. There is a natural contrast between the focal bead and the accent
crystal. While the pearl has a subtle shine, the crystal has higher gloss. You
can dress up or dress down with this lightweight earring.
Materials
One foot - 18 gauge
round dead soft gold filled wire
Two - 8 mm uneven pearls
Two - end caps
to match to the size of the pearl
Two - 4 mm rounded crystals
Tools
Flat nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
6-step Barrel Pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler
Instructions
Straighten and
then cut the one foot - 18 gauge round dead soft gold filled wire into two
6" pieces. At the end of
each wire, use round nose pliers to begin and flat nose pliers to create a
spiral with 4 turns.At the end of the last turn, use flat nose pliers to bend
the wire up at a 90° angle.
Thread your
pearl, end cap, crystal on to the wire, so they are sitting on top of the spiral.
Immediately above the crystal, use chain nose pliers to hold the bead wire and
use your fingers to bend it at a 45° angle towards the front of the earring.
Don’t forget to turn the spirals, so that one is facing left and one is facing
right.
Just above the
bend, use the 5th largest step on 6-step round nose pliers to hold and form the
ear "wire" toward the back of the earring.
Cut ¼"
from the end, and use an emery board to file the ends.
Use flat nose
pliers to slightly bend the ear wire end away from the main structure.
Now make the
second earring.
