Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. Pearls are making a comeback and are found being worn dressed up and dressed down.

Cascading Drops Earrings

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Pearls are making a comeback and are found being worn dressed up and dressed down. Earrings such as these Cascading Drops can be worn with a wedding dress just as well as with a t-shirt, blue jeans, and flip-flops. Try making them with coin pearls for a completely different look.

Materials

Silver Filled Headpins 22GA 1.5 inch - Pack of 10
S8-11
  • Lesson Quantity: 32.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 3.00 each
  • Price: $2.61
  • Gold Club Price: $1.96
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6mm pearls
  • Lesson Quantity: 10.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 10.00 each
8mm pearls
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 8.00 each
6mm Crystal Aurore Boreale 5328 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-94B
  • Lesson Quantity: 16.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Set aside two crystal beads. Insert a head pin in each bead. Make a simple 1.5mm wire loop on the top of each bead following the direction in Simple Wire Loops. Make a simple 3mm wire on the top of the two set aside crystal beads.
Step 2
Open the loop on the earring finding and attach 7 links of chain to the bottom loop on each earring. Close the earring finding loop. Hint: If correct size oval chain links can't be found, try using 4mm round links.
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Step 3
Attach one crystal with the 3mm loop to the bottom each chain link. In the same link, attach a 6mm pearl on one side of the attached bead and a crystal bead on the other side. Note: If the chain links can be opened, insert the bead units onto the links. If the chain links do not open, open the simple loop on the bead, insert the chain link, and then close the loop-second and third photos.
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Step 4
Attach a crystal bead to one side of the next chain link up from the bottom and a pearl bead to the other side of the same link. Working up the chain, continue adding a 6mm pearl and a crystal bead to each side of a chain link, alternating beads as shown in the first photo, until there are three links remaining. Working up the chain to the earring finding, attach a crystal bead on one side of each link and an 8mm pearl to the other side of each link. There will then be four beads attached to the top link.
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Step 5
Hang the earrings on the side of a glass or cup to check the bead placement. Optional: If desired, strategically add a few little silver balls to add even more sparkle. Remember, though, that the more beads that are added, the heavier the earrings will become.
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Step 6
Head pin Options: The first time I made these earrings, I used faux pearls and standard flat bottom head pins and love the way they look-first and second photos. Faux pearls are also much lighter weight than similar size real pearls or other gemstones. There were not enough headpins left in my stash to make another pair of earrings. Since I am an impatient crafter, and I wanted to make these earrings with real pearls, I made balled head pins with 22 gauge wire. I love these earrings just as much, if not more, because the balled head pins tie in with the ball on the earring finding.
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings
Judy Larson's Cascading Drops Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cascading drops earrings