Earrings with Hypersthene Beads and Hammered Sterling Silver Wire
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Design Idea RG2U
-- 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.
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- Wire, sterling silver, dead-soft, round, 18 gauge.
- Ear wire fishhook sterling silver, 18mm flat / 2.5mm ball / 2mm coil / open loop, 21 gauge.
- Hypersthene, flat rectangle bead natural 11x7mm-13x9mm.
- Chasing hammer, steel and rubberwood, natural, 28mm convex head and 14mm ball head.
- Adhesive, 5 Minute® Epoxy, 2-part epoxy, clear.
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the following lengths of 18-gauge sterling silver dead-soft round wire:
- One 4-1/2 inch
- One 1-inch
- One 3/4 inch
- One 2/3 inch
Step 2
Make a simple loop at one end of each of the wires you just cut.
Step 3
Make a 1-1/2 inch diameter half circle in the 4-1/2 inch wire, starting at the simple loop. At the end of the half circle, make a 90-degree bend in the wire, so that it would bisect the circle if it were whole.
Temporarily thread two 11x7mm-13x9mm hypersthene flat rectangle beads onto the end of the wire. If the wire ends beyond the two beads, you’ll need to remove the second bead and cut the wire so it will end at least 3mm before the second bead ends. Then remove both beads.
Step 4
Place the 4-1/2 inch wire shape on a steel block and, using a chasing hammer, slightly flatten the parts of the wire that will not be holding the beads. Then flip the hammer around and apply a ball-peen finish to the flattened portion of wire.
Tip: View the video “Secrets to Wireworking Video 6: Planishing (Hammering)” to learn more about texturing wire.
Step 5
Place the 1-inch wire on a steel block with the simple loop off the edge so the loop is perpendicular to the hammering surface of the block. Starting at the free end of the wire, hammer the end flat a few times, then re-hammer it, moving up a couple of millimeters. Repeat until the wire is hammered all the way up to the loop in a graduated fashion. Flip the hammer around and apply a ball-peen finish in the same manner.
Repeat for the 3/4 inch and 2/3 inch wires.
Step 6
Mix a drop of Devcon 5 Minute® Epoxy and use a toothpick to lightly coat the unhammered portion of the 4-1/2 inch wire shape with epoxy. Then slide both beads onto the wire and lay the earring flat. Let it dry.
Step 7
Open the simple loop on the 1-inch wire and add it to the bottom of the earring next to the beads. Next add the 3/4 inch wire and then the 2/3 inch wire. Add an 18mm 21-gauge sterling silver flat fishhook ear wire to the simple loop in the top of the earring.
Step 8
Repeat Steps 1 - 6 for the second earring.
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