Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings, Wire Weaving. Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire. When our children were growing up, we never took vacations, just long weekends to visit the grandparents.

Waves on the Beach Earrings

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Weaving
  • Technique(s): Weaving
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
When our children were growing up, we never took vacations, just long weekends to visit the grandparents. After we both retired, our daughter talked us into a beach vacation and we never looked back! After returning from that first eye-opening experience, I made these earrings that remind me of waves crashing on the beach and the bubbles and foam on them.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-20D
  • Lesson Quantity: 13.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $17.48
  • Gold Club Price: $13.11
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26 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-26D
  • Lesson Quantity: 5.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
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4mm round silver beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
3mm round silver beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
2.5mm round silver beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 10.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Sterling Silver Jump Ring Closed (.032) 20ga. 6mm - Pack of 10
K11-18
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.44
  • Gold Club Price: $3.33
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Sterling Silver Earwire 19.5mm w/ 2.5mm Ball - Pack of 10
K19-36
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.36
  • Gold Club Price: $6.27
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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • 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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Acculoop Precision Round Nose
PLR-741.00
  • PLR-741.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.23
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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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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions for the space you are working in as well as all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies you will be using to complete the project.

Step 1: Straighten and cut two 5¼" and two 1¼" pieces of 20 gauge wire.
Step 2
Measure and mark 2¾" in from one end of each 5¼" wire piece.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, measure and mark the wire
Step 3
Center the mark on the wire on one side of the jaw of your round nose pliers. Since a medium sized eye was wanted, the mark was centered between the tip and base of the cone jaw on one side of the pliers. If a larger eye is desired, slide the wire closer to the jaw base. Conversely, if a smaller eye is desired, move the wire closer to the jaw tip.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, place the mark against your pliers
Step 4
Close the jaws of the pliers on the mark and push the wires down over the sides of the jaw. The wires then can be pushed to the sides, crossing close to the plier jaw.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, push the wire over the jaw of the pliers
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, bend the wire ends in opposite directions
Step 5
Using the tips of a round nose pliers, pinch the wires together as close to the jaw of the other pliers as is possible. This will create what looks like a cotter pin-second photo. If you would like a more angular bend, use your chain nose pliers-third photo. Be careful to not pinch too hard as you could inadvertently break the wires at the bend.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, pinch the wires where they cross
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, it will look like a cotter pin
Step 6
Note: To make sure that each earring matches and are mirror images of each other, in the following steps complete each step for both earrings at the same time. With the short wire on top, curve the portion closest to the eye of each "cotter pin" over the 1¼" mandrel.
Use the photo as a template for shaping the pieces following the directions in Steps 7-13.
Pro Tip:
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, place a tooth pick in the loop
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, use your fingers to bend the wires around the mandrel
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, use your fingers to bend the wires around the mandrel
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, use your fingers to bend the wires around the mandrel
Step 7
Using the tips of round or chain nose pliers, make a small open curl at one end of each of the two short wires.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a small open curl
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a small open curl
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a small open curl
Step 8
Using the base of a round nose pliers, make a large open curl at the other end of each short wire.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a larger curl at the other end
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a larger curl at the other end
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a larger curl at the other end
Step 9
Gently spread the wire ends of each "cotter pin" just enough to allow you to work with each wire end to make the open spirals.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, gently spread the ends of the cotter pins
Step 10
Grasp the short wire on the "cotter pin" at the very tip and curl about ¾ of the way around the base of a round nose pliers, shifting the wire as needed. Do not grasp too tightly or the wire could become dented with the pressure. Complete an open spiral using the template in Step 6.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, grasp the short end in the round nose pliers
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a spiral at the end of the shorter wire
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make a spiral at the end of the shorter wire
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make an open spiral at the end of the shorter wire
Step 11
Check to make sure that each spiral is as close to the same as possible. Do not worry if the wires are spread apart at different distances-only the curl curve matters at this point.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, check to ensure they're similar size spirals on both
Step 12
Grasp the long wire on the cotter pin at the very tip and curl about ¾ of the way around the base of a round nose pliers, shifting the wire as needed. As before, do not grip the wire to tightly or it may become dented. Complete an open spiral using the template in Step 6. Push the two spiral wire ends together. Check to make sure that the spirals match. If they do not, check each with the template and adjust as necessary.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make another open spiral
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, check to make sure the two earrings match
Step 13
Curve each longer wire spiral end gently around the end of the shorter wire, as shown. Make sure both earring base wires match.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, curve the longer wire around the shorter one
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make sure the two earrings match
Step 14
Gently spread the two base wire sides apart, being careful not to change the curve of the wires.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, gently spread the two base wire sides apart
Step 15
Straighten and cut two 30" pieces of 26 gauge wire.
Pro Tip: Leaving a 1" tail of wire to start helps you hold the wire in place for wrapping. It also helps you keep the wrap wire from spinning around the core wire as it is wrapped. Starting on one side at the base of the eye, wrap the eye, keeping the wraps as close together as possible, but not overlapping. Wrap until the base on the other side of the eye is reached.
Note: Do not worry that the inner wrap wires are very tight and the outer wrap wires are slightly spread as they are going around a curve and this is perfectly normal.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, cut two pieces of 26 gauge wire, 30 inches each
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, start wrapping the wire
Step 16
Set the wire base components on a flat surface, making mirror images of each other. Pull the beginning tail down beside an outer wire. Nestle the short curled wire next to the larger component as shown.

Wrap around all three component wires and the wire tail three times, as shown. Trim away the beginning wire tail close to the bottom of the third wrap.

Note: To create mirror images, each earring should be wrapped in opposite directions from here on.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, nestle all the pieces together on a flat surface
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, wrap the pieces together
Step 17
Wrap the long center wire three times, ending on the back. Push these wraps up close to the three wraps holding the small curled wire to the framework.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, wrap around the center long wire three times
Step 18
Pull the wrap wire under, around, and over the small curled wire, pulling it toward the center wire. Pull the wrap wire down to the back between the long wire and the outer shorter long wire. Pull the wrap wire up to the front between the short curled wire and the long center wire.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, wrap the 26 gauge wire around the outer base wire
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, bring the wire up and over the center wire
Step 19
Pull the wrap wire up and around the center long wire. Pull the wrap wire over the center long wire and outer shorter long wire and down to the back. Pull the wrap wire up to the front between the two longer wires. Wrap the center and short curled wire together, coming up from the back to the front between the two of them.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, wrap the wire around the center wire
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, bring the wire around the outer wire and back to the center wire
Step 20
Make three wraps around the center wire.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make three wraps around the center wire
Step 21
Repeat Steps 18-20 three more times, for a total of four woven connecting sections.
Step 22
Pull the wrap wire from the back side around the outer shorter long wire and over the longer wire, connecting the two with two wraps. Wrap the longer wire alone three times.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, connect the two wraps
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, wrap three times
Step 23
Repeat Step 22 for a total of eight connecting wraps.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, continue weaving as in step 22
Step 24
Make 9-11 wraps around the longer wire, until a point is reached where a 4mm bead can be wrapped in place. Make two wraps after adding the bead. Add a 3mm bead, making two wraps after it.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, coil around the base wire
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, add a bead to the weaving wire
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make two wraps and add a smaller bead
Step 25
Attach one more 3mm bead, then five 2.5mm beads. Continue to wrap the long spiral until you are about 1/8" from the end. Trim the wrap wire and tuck the end in place if needed.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, add beads to the end and coil the tip of the wire
Step 26
If necessary, adjust the eye of the earring. Be careful to not apply too much pressure as the wrap wires could be pushed out of place and/or be damaged.

After both earrings are made, make any adjustments needed to make them match. Do not worry about this step too much. Since they will be worn on opposite side of the face, no one will be able to tell if they are not perfect.
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make any adjustments to the eye of the earring
Step 27
Attach the earring findings with jump rings.

Imagine these earrings bent to a shorter, wider shape. How about adding beads on the inner or outer curve instead of adding the short, curled wire? What about using crystals or gemstones instead of metal beads? With you as the designer, the possibilities are endless!
Judy Larson's Waves on the Beach Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, attach an ear finding to each earring