Secrets to Wireworking Video 1: Bead Overwrap & Simple/Wire-Wrapped Loops Earrings with Purely Silk™ Tassels and Rhodonite Gemstone Beads
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Design Idea MH22
-- Designer --
Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Bead, Preciosa Czech crystal, light rose, 6mm faceted bicone
- Bead, rhodonite (natural), 4mm faceted round, B grade, Mohs hardness 5-1/2 to 6-1/2
- Ear wire, silver-plated stainless steel and brass, 15mm fishhook with 2.5mm ball and open loop, 21 gauge
- Head pin, silver-plated brass, 1 inch, 21 gauge
The first project in our wirework series is a gorgeous pair of rhodonite tassel earrings. Go step-by-step with Patti as she teaches you how to create a wire wrapped loop, a bead overwrap, and a simple loop. These are core skills in any wire artist's repertoire.
Previous | Next: Video 2, Closed Wire Spirals
Instructions
Tassel
Step 1
Cut two 6-inch lengths of 20-gauge wire.
Step 2
Use the Beadalon tassel maker to prepare a loop with 60 revolutions of black FF thread. Remove the loop from the tassel maker.
Step 3
Center the tassel loop on a length of wire.
Bend the wire around the threads to tightly enclose it, crossing slightly on the outside of the loop.
Wrap one end of the wire around the other three times, snugly against the tassel loop.
With the other end of the wire, form a simple loop.
Trim any excess wire.
Step 4
Cut a 12-inch length of thread. Leaving a tail, tightly wrap the thread around the tassel, just below the wrapped wire. Tie a surgeon's knot. If desired apply a small amount of adhesive on the knot for additional security.
Step 5
Repeat Steps 2 - 4 to create a second tassel.
Drop Embellishments
Step 6
String a 6mm crystal cube onto a head pin then create a simple loop. Repeat to create a second cube drop and four 4mm rhodonite round drops.
Rhodonite Links
Step 7
Cut two 9-inch lengths of wire.
Step 8
Create a large wrapped loop with three wraps on one end of a length of wire. Trim any excess from the short end of the wire.
Step 9
String a 20mm rhodonite flat round onto the wire. Leaving enough space for three wire wraps, create a small wrapped loop with three wraps.
Step 10
Bring the wire around to the back of the link then up to the opposite side of the large wrapped loop. Sharply bend the wire toward the front of the large wrapped loop.
Step 11
Holding the bead against the small wrapped loop, tightly wrap around the exposed wire under the large wrapped loop twice. Trim any excess wire.
Step 12
Repeat Steps 8-11 to create a second rhodonite link.
Assembly
Step 13
Attach an ear wire to the large loop of a rhodonite link. Attach the loop of a tassel to the small loop of the link.
Add one crystal cube drop and two rhodonite drops to the small loop of the rhodonite link.
Repeat to complete the second earring.
Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.
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