Change Up Your Ear Wires
by Kylie Jones
Ear wires or ear hooks are both functional and decorative. Designing an ear wire for each earring design takes the process a step further in look and technique and can be the X factor that makes your earrings stand out.
Instructions
I don't have a set formula for how to design the ear wire for each earring. But I do always go through the step of consciously deciding what style ear wire suits a design, rather than always having the same ear wire for all of my earrings. If the earring style is large or busy I tend to have a plain or smaller ear wire. You can easily vary the style by using different sized mandrels to create the main round shape. Or you can make them more angular and dramatic. You can try drawing different ear wire ideas, or experimenting with some inexpensive craft wire can give you an idea of different possibilities and is a lot of fun.
Kylie Jones's Change Up Your Ear Wires - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, long angular ear wire
Kylie Jones's Change Up Your Ear Wires - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, round ear wire
Kylie Jones's Change Up Your Ear Wires - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, long thin ear wire
I have a collection of different ear wire templates, when I make a new style of ear wire I add it to my collection. This serves 2 purposes. Firstly, I have a library of different styles that can help me to visualize a design and secondly, having a template allows me to easily reproduce a design.
Kylie Jones's Change Up Your Ear Wires - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, library of ear wires

Materials

20 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $12.32
  • Gold Club Price: $9.24
Add to Bag
20 Gauge Round Half Hard 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $4.90
  • Gold Club Price: $3.68
Add to Bag
Other wire options
Shop Now
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Dual Size Round Nose Plier
G2-719
  • G2-719
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $34.95
  • Gold Club Price: $26.21
Add to Bag
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
Add to Bag
14mm Barrel Wrap N Tap Looping Pliers for Pattern Wire, Etc.
G2-79
  • G2-79
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.97
  • Gold Club Price: $18.73
Add to Bag
Premium Jump Ring Mandrels - Set of 2
G7-50
  • G7-50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
Add to Bag
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
Add to Bag
Steel Square Bezel Mandrel
G7-17
  • G7-17
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.97
  • Gold Club Price: $7.48
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
  • Category: Design
  • Technique(s): Design