Easy Artisan Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Hole Punching, Making Findings, Texturing
Skill Level: Beginner

These simple earrings have a lot of presence but are very light weight and receive lots of compliments when worn. Pick a favorite. Whichever ones are chosen, they are sure to become a go-to earring and a wardrobe staple.

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Sterling Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H8-24SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 6 Inches
Price: $222.14
Gold Club Price: $166.61

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20 Gauge Round Full Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20FH

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $4.24
Gold Club Price: $3.18

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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

G2-503

G2-503
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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Multi-Size Wrap 'N' Tap Pliers, Large Barrels

PLR-746.03

PLR-746.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm

PLR-133.70

PLR-133.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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Xuron Sheer - Non Serrated

SHR-691.81

SHR-691.81
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2

G17-9

G17-9
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.97
Gold Club Price: $11.98

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Whaley Wood Swage Block

DAP-158.00

DAP-158.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

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11 Piece Wood Dapping Set

DAP-160.00

DAP-160.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $64.97
Gold Club Price: $48.73

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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WireJewelry Professional Single Barrel Rotary Rock Tumbler with 3 Pound Capacity Drum (2021 Version)

G24-1V2

G24-1V2
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $106.60
Gold Club Price: $79.95

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Stainless Steel Shot - 1 lb Bag

G24-4

G24-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $43.95
Gold Club Price: $32.96

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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces

G14-20

G14-20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.95
Gold Club Price: $10.46

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GROBET FILE - BARRETTE CUT 4, 6"

FIL-31.031

FIL-31.031
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $35.10
Gold Club Price: $26.33

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the tutorial before starting the project.
Scale the template to the desired size. The circle and the oval/ellipse are from the Circle and Oval Template Set on wire jewlry, making it easy to make any size circle or oval. Transfer the templates to a piece of sheet metal.

Step 2

Metal sheers will make quick work of cutting out the shapes.Because the pieces will be textured, it is not necessary to use a saw to cut the pieces out, but use one if preferred.

Step 3

Place a metal shape on a bench block. Use a Mini TruStrike Designer/Texture Hammer to texture the face and edges. Repeat for each piece.

Step 4

Use a rubber or plastic mallet on a bench block to flatten each piece.

Step 5

Use files, and then sanding pads, to soften the sharp edges and round the corners of the shapes.

Step 6

Use an ultra fine point Sharpie to mark the position of the holes for attaching the shapes to ear wires. Center the mark in the hole in the jaw of a 1.25 mm or1.5mm hole punch pliers. Punch the hole. Clean and refine the area around the punched hole.Save those little dots. They make great embellishments.

Step 7

Place a column, texture side down, in a well in a wood swage block that is less curved than desired. Place a corresponding wood dowel on top of the column and hammer with a plastic mallet. Move the metal column to the next smaller depression and repeat the process. Continue until the desired curvature is achieved.

Pro Tip: Cut various size dowels, available at any hardware or craft store (or my wood shop) to fit the depressions in the swage block.

Step 8

Follow the same process as in Step 7 with the oval pieces.

Step 9

Place a circle or square, texture side down, in the largest well of a wood dapping block. Dap the piece with a wood, plastic or metal dap that fits the depression.Move the piece to the next smaller depression and repeat the process. Continue until the desired curvature is achieved.

Step 10

Tumble the pieces in shot, water and a drop of dish liquid for several hours.Remove, rinse and dry the pieces.

Step 11

Apply patina, if desired. Remove patina from the high spots with a sanding pad or steel wool. This will leave a matte/satin finish. Tumble again for 30 minutes if a higher polish is desired.

Step 12

Add ear wires.

Step 13

Alternatives:Use a variety of shapes and textures. Connect shapes together for more movement.

Step 14

Nothing says ARTISAN like unique ear wires.
Make a coil on the center section of a Large Wrap 'N' Tap pliers using 20 gauge full hard round wire. Because the wire is full hard,the spring in the wire makes a coil larger than the barrel.

Step 15

Use a flush cutter to cut full rings from the wire coil. Flush cut both ends.

Step 16

Use the smallest step of a 6 step barrel pliers to make a loop on one wire end of each circle.

Step 17

Use a wire rounder/cup bur to round the other end of the wire circle. Finish refining the wire end with a sanding pad. This end could be slightly curved if desired.

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!