Cord and Bead Earrings | Contemporary Wire Jewelry

Cord and Bead Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Beading
Skill Level: Beginner

Using any of the wonderful synthetic or natural cords on the market to make jewelry is a great way to feature some of your leftover beads.

Materials

Cord that will fit through the hole of the chosen beads

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Two end caps with an interior diameter that will accommodate two cords

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Sterling Silver Brite End Cap 2mm - Pack of 2

K10-15

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.84
Gold Club Price: $2.13

Out of Stock

E6000 Adhesive Glue 3.7 oz. - Pack of 1

G16-18

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.99
Gold Club Price: $6.74

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Sterling Silver Earwires 21mm w/ 1.5mm Bead - Pack of 2

K19-50

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.40
Gold Club Price: $1.80

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Tools

Baby Wubbers Flat Nose Pliers

G2-1136

G2-1136
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $23.97
Gold Club Price: $17.98

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Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1

G2-504

G2-504
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the directions before starting the project.

If the stringing material is too large for the hole of the selected beads, they can be reamed out. If this must be done, it is imperative to wear a mask so the dust is not inhaled as that is very dangerous. It would be best to ream the bead hole while holding the bead under water as the water will contain the dust particles.

Judy Larson's Cord and Bead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Beads, cord and bead earrings

Step 2

Cut an 8" length of cord if the cord is to be knotted above the bead. The length to cut the cord if not knotting it above the beads is a personal preference. In the first photo, 6.5-7mm White Potato Fresh Water Pearls and 5-5.5mm White Potato Fresh Water Pearls with 1.2mm holes were strung on 1mm leather cord. The left drop used 3½" of cord and the right used 2½" of cord. Personal preference as well as the size and number of beads used will determine the cord length to cut.

Step 3

String the beads on the cord.

Step 4

Knotting: Follow the diagram to knot the cord above the bead loop. How far above the bead to make the knot is a personal preference.

The size and suppleness of the cord makes a difference in the size and shape of the knot that will be achieved. The brown leather cord in the first photo is 1mm in diameter and the orange is 2mm in diameter. In the second photo, both sets of beads were strung with 1mm cord, but the black cord on the right was just a tiny bit larger in diameter and much stiffer than the brown leather cord on the left. Just a small difference in the cord can make a big difference in the knot size and shape.

Step 5

Trim the cord tails to an even length above the knot. Here, that distance was ½".

Step 6

The cords may not fit side by side in the end cap. Slightly flatten the end cap into an oval. Check the fit of the cord ends.

Step 7

Use a toothpick to place a small amount of glue inside the end cap. Push the cord ends into the glue in the end cap. The glue should hold the cord in place, but if desired, use flat or chain nose pliers to flatten the cone end a bit to grip the cord ends better. Allow the glue to set for a half an hour before continuing.

Step 8:

Alternative to using end cap:

If an end cap is not available, cut the cord to length. The cord ends will be easier to slide into the beads if they are cut at an angle. Slightly flatten a crimp tube to accommodate two cords. Here, a 2mm ID crimp tube was used.

Step 9

Slide the cord ends into the tube. Push the crimp tube toward the looped end, keeping the cord ends even.

Step 10

Dip one cord end into glue. Insert the cord end into the bead, only pushing the end half way through the bead. Allow to dry for a half hour or so before repeating the process with the other cord end. Allow the glue to set overnight.

Step 11

When the glue has set, press the cords coming out of the bead between your fingers. This will help make a more even teardrop. Adjust the crimp tube to the desired position. It is not necessary, but if desired, use flat or chain nose pliers to flatten the crimp tube.

Step 12:

Finishing

Attach earring findings.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!