Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap. Definition: a shape or design having or being asymmetrical or irregular Free-form designing can be daunting.

Freeform Wire Earrings

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Forging, Making Spirals
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Definition: a shape or design having or being asymmetrical or irregular Free-form designing can be daunting. It can mean that you will have to accept that your pieces will NOT be symmetrical. Or even match for that matter. In this first of three projects of free-form wire projects, I invite you to "step outside of the box" and suppress your desire for symmetry by designing a fantastic pair of free-form earrings. Once you see how easy and fun making one pair is, go ahead make a second pair go compliment the first...any maybe mix them up. Grab some tools, wire and beads and let's go!
Free-Form
Adjective
Pronounced 'frē-ˈfȯrm'

Materials

21 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-21SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 12.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $3.87
  • Gold Club Price: $2.90
Add to Bag
Beads of your choice
Shop Now
New Stock! Large Glass Bead Assortment 1 Full Kilo (2.2 Lbs.)
A5-248
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
Out of Stock
Add All Items to Cart

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
Add to Bag
Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
  • G10-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
Add to Bag
Wire Rounder with Wooden Handle - Pack of 1
G14-19
  • G14-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
Add to Bag
Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
Add to Bag
Pocket Diamond Needle File Set--5 Piece
FIL-673.00
  • FIL-673.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $25.97
  • Gold Club Price: $19.48
Add to Bag
Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
Add to Bag
Wubbers X-Large Round Mandrel Pliers
G2-1304
  • G2-1304
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $35.97
  • Gold Club Price: $26.98
Add to Bag
Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.95
  • Gold Club Price: $8.21
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
Instructions
Step 1
Since you will not be precisely measuring wire for this project as you will be building the earrings from the bottom up, plan on having 12 to 14 inches of wire to work with. Working off a coil of wire, slide your chosen bottom bead on the wire followed by the middle bead, then slide on the top bead.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, string on your beads
Step 2
Make a bend using the round nose pliers approximately 1 ¼" off the end as shown to make the ear wire. Position the cushion clamp on the ear wire to hold it securely while you bend.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, make a bend
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, cushion clamp the wire
Step 3
While holding the top bead in your desired position, make a 45° bend. Use the 12 mm side of the Wubbers to bend the wire in a spiral fashion. Then slide the middle bead into position.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, use the Wubbers
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, slide up a bead
Step 4
Make a 45° bend at the bottom of the middle bead. Make a bend as shown using the round nose pliers to secure the middle bead.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, make a bend under the bead
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, make a bend
Step 5
Position the bottom bead and trim the wire to approximately ¼" using the wire cutters. To secure the bottom bead, finish off the cut end by making a paddle end. Lay the wire on the steel bench block and flatten the end with the flat face of the chasing hammer.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, flatten the end
Step 6
Smooth the paddle end with the flat needle file.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, file the end
Step 7
Remove the cushion clamp and use the wire rounder on the cut end of the ear wire. Repeat all the steps to make the second earring.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Freeform Wire Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, round the end of the earwire