Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. I was thrilled when WireJewelry.
Finish Them Your Way Earrings
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
I was thrilled when WireJewelry.com started carrying full hard wire as it made making sturdy ear wires so much easier. I now use nothing else when making them-see Step 9. Three sets of these ear wires were given to three of my friends to finish and we all ended up making earrings that are completely different! How will you finish yours?

Materials

20 Gauge Round Full Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-20FH
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.77
  • Gold Club Price: $2.08
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20 Gauge Round Full Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-20FH
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $6.00
  • Gold Club Price: $4.50
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Tools

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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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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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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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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Economy Nylon Jaw Pliers
G2-25
  • G2-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Multi-Size Wrap 'N' Tap Pliers, Small Barrels
PLR-746.02
  • PLR-746.02
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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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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Wubbers Square Mandrel Pliers - Medium
G2-1370
  • G2-1370
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $35.95
  • Gold Club Price: $26.96
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Original Bead Crimper
PLR-585.00
  • PLR-585.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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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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Steel Hoop Mandrel
MAN-214.00
  • MAN-214.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $28.97
  • Gold Club Price: $21.73
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10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm
G14-8
  • G14-8
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.57
  • Gold Club Price: $10.18
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the directions before starting the projects.

Cut two wires the length needed for the desired earrings.

A: Large round (width-¾")-5¾" of 20 gauge round full hard wire

B: Small Round (width-½")-5" of 20 gauge round full hard wire

C: Diamond shape (width-½")-4-5/8" of 20 gauge round full hard wire
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 2
Use an ultra fine point Sharpie to mark each wire 2½" in from one end. Make a 90 degree bend on each wire at the mark. The 2½" end is the ear wire end. The other end of the wire is used to form the shape.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 3
Version A and B: Version A is formed on Step 1 of the Large Wrap-N-Tap pliers and Version B is formed on Step 3 or the Small Wrap-N-Tap pliers. Place the ear wire portion and bend snugly against the soft plastic sleeve on one side of the pliers. Wrap the other end of the wire around the correct step on the chosen pliers, adjusting the ear wire placement as needed to end up with a full circle.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 4
Version C is formed on the larger side of the Wubbers medium square mandrel pliers. Place the ear wire portion and bend loosely against the small side of the pliers. Wrap the other end of the wire around the large side of the pliers, adjusting the ear wire placement as needed to end up with a square. Try to make each corner square with each turn on the pliers. When finished, use flat nose pliers to adjust the shape to make it square.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 5
Version A and B: Use a soft jaw pliers to tightly grasp a circle just below where the wires cross each other. Use chain nose pliers to grasp the wire tail and wrap it around the ear wire portion of the earring in the same manner as for a wire wrapped loop.
Version C: Grasp the last corner turned with the edge of a flat nose pliers. Use chain nose pliers to pull the wire tail up and to the side of the ear wire. Use a soft jaw pliers to tightly grasp the diamond just below where the wires cross each other. Use chain nose pliers to grasp the wire tail and wrap it around the ear wire portion of the earring in the same manner as for a wire wrapped loop.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 6
The formed sections may have become misshapen. If so, place the circle ear wires on a hoop mandrel to reshape. If the ear wire is not perpendicular to the circle, use chain nose pliers to straighten it while it is still on the mandrel. Use flat nose pliers to re-square the diamond shapes, if needed. Straighten the ear wire to perpendicular while holding them in soft jaw pliers.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 7
Use flush cutters to trim the excess wire wrap wires. Use the round section on the tip of crimp pliers to tighten the cut wire end to the ear wire. Use files, sanding pads, etc., to refine the cut end so it will not catch on anything.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 8
Hang the ear wires on a pencil, dowel, knitting needle, etc., to find the shortest one. Use that one to flush cut the ends of the others to the same length. Use a cup bur and sanding pads to round and refine the ends. The ear wires can be tumbled to polish them, if desired.
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Step 9
Finish Them Your Way!
Deb Carlson
Kathi Nelson
Carol Erickson
Judy Larson
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires
Judy Larson's Finish Them Your Way Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, custom ear wires