Earrings with Sterling Silver Ear Wires and Crackle Agate Beads
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Design Idea RH25
-- 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, fire crackle agate (dyed/heated), matte, 7.5-8mm round, B grade, Mohs hardness 6-1/2 to 7
- Ear wire, sterling silver, 19mm ice-pick with 7mm grip length, 19 gauge
Instructions
Step 1
Make sure the jaws of both your chain-nose and flat-nose pliers are coated with Tool Magic. This helps protect your metal findings from scratches.
Step 2
Using the coated chain-nose pliers, insert the jaws into the small opening of the ice-pick bail on the ear wire. Gently open the jaws, applying firm but steady pressure to widen the setting. After every small adjustment, check that both prongs are spreading evenly.
If one side opens more than the other, stop, adjust and realign before continuing.
Step 3
Hold the ear wire with your non-dominant hand so the ice-pick prongs are vertical and the hook faces away from you.
Place one 8mm crackle agate bead onto the bottom prong of the setting, allowing it to rest securely before closing.
Step 4
With the coated flat-nose pliers, gently squeeze the prongs together. Apply steady, even pressure until the bead is securely held in place and the prongs are no longer visible.
Step 5
Repeat steps 2–4 for the second earring.
Tip: View a video tutorial on Using an Ice-Pick Bail for a step-by-step look.
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