Asymmetrical Earrings with Wirework
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Design Idea NK22
-- Designer --
LauraLynn, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about LauraLynn, 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.
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, forest green, round, 18 gauge
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, forest green, round, 22 gauge
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, forest green, round, 26 gauge
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, pink, round, 26 gauge
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, fuchsia, round, 22 gauge
- Cabochon mandrel, The Bead Buddy®, acrylic, grey, 20x15mm-40x30mm oval,10 inches
- Pliers, Wubbers® Designer Mandrel, small bail-making, steel and rubber, 5-3/4 inches
- Pliers, Wubbers® Designer Mandrel, large bail-making, steel and rubber, 7-1/4 inches
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the following lengths of wire:
- Two 4-foot lengths of 26-gauge forest green wire
- Two 7-inch lengths of 18-gauge forest green wire
- Two 2-inch lengths of 22-gauge forest green wire
- One 30-inch length of 22-gauge fuchsia wire
Step 2
Pick up a 7-inch length of green wire. Bend the wire to form a teardrop shape, leaving one 1/4 inch tail and one 1-inch tail. Bend the 1-inch tail down the center of the teardrop shape and wrap the 1/4 inch tail around the connecting point. Form a simple loop using the long tail. Trim excess wire.
Step 3
Pick up a 4-foot length of green wire. Wrap approximately five times around the connecting point of the teardrop.
Wrap the wire three times over the stem then continue to one side of the leaf and wrap three times. Wrap around the center three times then the opposite side. Continue this process until the entire leaf is wrapped as desired. Trim excess wire.
Step 4
Repeats Steps 2 and 3 to create a second leaf.
Step 5
Pick up the 22-gauge fuchsia wire. Make a 35-degree bend inward every 2-1/4 inches. Repeat a total of eight times. Make five more bends every 2 inches.
Step 6
At the first bend from Step 5, bend the wire inward to create a small loop. Continue for the length of wire, making a slight curve between each loop.
Step 7
Gently bend the loops inward to form a spiral shape with the tail on top. Bend the tail inward to create a curve approximately the same width as the spiral. Continue bending the tail to form a spiral "base".
Step 8
Working from the spool, begin wrapping 26-gauge pink wire around the flower side of the base. Go under the base and over the flower side to begin forming petals. Continue for the rest of the flower, connecting back to the base with each wrap. The flower should begin to form itself with each wrapped petal. Once the entire flower is wrapped, trim the excess tail of 22-gauge wire.
Tip: It may be easier to cut 3-foot lengths of 26-gauge wire as needed.
Step 9
Beginning where the 26-gauge wire started, use round-nose pliers to roll the petal inward to create the center of the flower. Bend the petals up around the center. On the bottom of the flower weave the thin wire from each petal up through the center of the flower to help strengthen the flower. Cut thin wire from the spool.
Use round-nose pliers to bend the petals to look more natural.
Step 10
Wrap 18-gauge green wire around small bail-making pliers to create a jump ring with approximately 3/4 inch of wire. Repeat to create a total of five jump rings.
Step 11
Pick up a 2-inch length of green wire. Form a 3/4 loop using large bail-making pliers. Form a simple loop in the opposite direction using small bail-making pliers. Gently bend the other end at a 45-degree angle. Repeat to create a second fishhook ear wire.
Step 12
Open a jump ring. Slide on a green leaf and an ear wire then close the jump ring.
Use two jump rings to add a green leaf to the pink flower, then the pink flower to an ear wire.
Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.
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The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
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