Orbital Earrings

Skill Level: Intermediate

Technique: Butane torch to ball headpins, simple connections and shaping

A butane torch is the secret ingredient to keep these Orbital Earrings from spinning too far - but if your studio doesn't have a torch, or a heat proof surface to "flame on," simply hammer or loop the ends for a similar effect.

Make sure to take all safety precautions when using a torch, including having a heat-proof surface, good ventilation, and a fire extinguisher.

Materials

• 20-gauge fine silver or Argentium sterling silver dead soft round wire, 1 foot
• 2 22-gauge eye pins (or make your own)
• 2 jump rings, 4mm OD
• 2 10mm round beads
• One pair of ear wires

Tools

• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Round shaping object (used Sharpie marker) with a diameter of 12mm
• Butane Gas Jewelers Torch
• Heat resistant tweezers or long nose pliers
• Heat proof surface (ceramic tile, soldering board)

Instructions

1. Light the torch. Using the tweezers or long nose pliers, hold the end of 6" piece of wire and bring it into the flame. You will see the wire starts to form a ball as it melts. Lower the wire into the flame until you have desired size of the ball. Remove the wire from the fire and cool it on the heat proof surface.
   
   Repeat this step on the other wire end. Make two wires with the balls on both ends.
   
2. Coil (wrap) the wire around the Sharpie (or other cylindrical object). The wire ends with balls have to be directed in the opposite directions as shown. I’ll name them "antennas"
   
   
   
3. Slide an eye-pin into a 10mm bead. Using round nose pliers, make a loop on another end of a bead.
   
   
4. Open one of the loops. Put "the orbit" into the loop as shown. Close the loop.
   
   
5. Open the second loop and place the other side with "antennas" in. Close the loop.
   
   
6. Open 4mm jump ring. Slide the loop with "antennas" and an ear wire on. Close the jump ring.
   
   
7. Repeat steps 3-7 to finish the second earring.
   
   
   

   Experiment with different sizes and colors of beads; make pendants using the same method.
   

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