Twisted Seedbead Earrings

by Natalie Patten

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Making Loops, Beading, Stringing, Twisting
Skill Level: Beginner

Natalie Patten turns leftover seedbeads into wearable art with her Twisted Seedbead Earrings. Using a simple threading and twisting technique, these colorful earrings can be customized in size, shape, and color for a truly unique look. Whether you add a fourth bead color or keep it simple, this tutorial makes creative, adaptable design easy.

Materials

Gold Filled Ball & Coil Earwire 22mm - Pack of 2

J19-19

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.50
Gold Club Price: $3.38

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3 or 4 colors of seed beads size 11/0

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Gold Filled Bright Beads 6mm - Pack of 5

J9-327

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.26
Gold Club Price: $8.45

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26 gauge wire - choose option of type of round wire

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Tools

20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat

MAT-620.00

MAT-620.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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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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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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Optional Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Add All Items to Cart

Instructions

Step 1

Straighten 3 pieces of 26 gauge round wire, each 8 inches long.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Straighten 3 pieces

Step 2

String on 2 3/4 inches of the first color of seed beads.

Adjust the length depending on the overall size of the earring you want to make.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Adjust the length

Step 3

Add on the same amount of seed beads in the next colour to another of the 8-inch wires.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Add on the same amount of seed

Step 4

Add on the same amount of seed in another colour to the remaining wire.

Step 5

Bend each wire into a curve

Step 6

To create a graduated color effect, add another color of seed beads.

Add approximately 1/2 inch onto each side of the colored wire strands.

Using a fourth color on each strand is optional.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Add approximately 1/2 inch

Step 7

Keep the seed beads in the centre of the wire.

Twist the three wires together to join them.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Twist the three wires together to join them.

Step 8

Keep the three strands side by side without overlapping.

Twist the other end of the wires together.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Twist the other end

Step 9

Twist the center of the wires with the seed beads to create a colorful rope effect.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Twist the center of the wires

Step 10

Shape the seed beaded wires into a circular shape.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Shape the seed

Step 11

Twist both sections of wire together so all six wires form one twisted section.

This section should sit vertically above the seed bead loop.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Twist both sections of wire together s

Step 12

Leave a few inches of twisted wire, then trim the ends flush with wire cutters.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Leave a few inches of twisted wire

Step 13

Slide the bead over all the twisted wires and push down towards the top of the seed beads.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Slide the bead

Step 14

Use round nose pliers or bail step pliers to bend the twisted wire horizontally over the plier jaws.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Use round nose pliers

Step 15

Bring the twisted wires over one jaw of the round nose or bail step plier to form a loop.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , bail step plier to form a loop

Step 16

Wrap the twisted wires around between the loop and the bead to make a wrapped loop.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Wrap the twisted wires

Step 17

Tuck the wire ends firmly with chain nose or tweezer nose pliers.

Ensure no sharp wire ends are sticking out.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Tuck the wire ends firmly

Step 18

Attach an earring hook to the wrapped loop at the top of the bead.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Attach an earring hook

Step 19

Repeat the process using the same amount and color of seed beads to make the matching earring.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Repeat the process

Step 20

Shape each of the earrings together to create a symmetrical pair.

Natalie Patten's Twisted Seedbead Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Beads, , , Shape each of the earrings

Reviews

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Natalie Patten

I'm Natalie Patten, I'm from Liverpool in the UK. I first discovered my love of wire work during lockdown and this hobby quickly spiralled into a huge passion and obsession, for wire wrapping crystal gemstones. So much so, that I changed my career working in education, to become a jewellery designer and set up my business Rock, Scissors, Paper specialising in wire wrapped, ethically sourced gemstone jewellery. I also secured my dream job designing and teaching for the UK's largest supplier of beads for jewellery making! I make lots of different jewellery designs with a variety of techniques but my absolute favourite is wire work and I feel absolutely blessed that I can spend my time creating, learning and sharing my passion with others!