"Lucky" Chandelier Earrings

Skill Level: Intermediate

Technique: Technique - Involved components, horseshoe link

With a lot of motion, these sturdy earrings have a delicate appearance and are fun to wear. You can make them as shown, (graduated in size from the top down, small to large), or reverse the order. Seemingly simple to make, they are based on the Horseshoe Link. They can be a bit tricky to connect; be sure to follow all of the directions carefully. Explore variations, by using your own favorite combinations of beads and/or crystals, for a new addition to your line!

Hint: To make earrings that match perfectly, make them both at the same time, mirroring each step from one to the other.

Materials

• 21-gauge square half hard wire, 16½"
• For Pearl Design:
  • 12 7 x 5mm white large hole freshwater pearls
  • 2 6.3mm gold filled corrugated saucer beads
  • 6 22-gauge 1½" headpins
  • 2 7mm jump rings
• For Crystal Design:
  • 4 10 x 8mm teardrop crystal beads
  • 2 7 x 6mm teardrop crystal beads
  • 6 4mm round crystal beads
  • 4 2mm round metal beads
  • 6 22-gauge 1½" headpins
  • 2 7mm jump rings

Tools

• Flat Nose Pliers
• Round Nose Pliers
• Chain Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Ring Mandrel
• Pin Vise or Wire Twister
• Ruler
• Extra Fine Point Marker
• Cup Burr or File

Instructions

1. For each earring, straighten, clean and cut 8¼" of 21-gauge square half hard wire. Use a pin vise or wire twister and twist each piece. Trim ⅛" off each end of both wires, leaving you with two 8" pieces of twisted wire. Cut each 8" piece of wire into the following lengths: 2¼", 2¾", and 3". Mark the center of each new length of wire.
   
   

2. Place the center mark of the 2¼" wire at size 1 on a ring mandrel and push evenly on both sides of the wire, simultaneously, until the wire forms a horseshoe U shape, or an open teardrop. Repeat with the 2¾" piece on size 2, and the 3" piece on size 3.
   
   

3. To make the "open eye" connection hoops on each horseshoe: with the U shape facing you, place your round nose pliers at the very tip of a wires' end, grasp firmly, and in one smooth motion roll the wire toward the back of the shape, away from you. Loosen your pliers' grip on the wire, but do not remove the pliers.
   
   

4. Roll your pliers around the loop you just made until they are in the front, and where they just hit the wire in front, tighten your grip and bend the wire slightly toward you, forming an "open eye." Repeat on both ends of every U shape. (Remember that you are making eyes to go around another 21-gauge wire, leaving room for "swing.")
   
   

5. To shape your U into an open teardrop that will swing properly, use flat nose pliers to gently bend each open eye straight up. Finish by grasping both open eye ends of each U together with flat nose pliers.
   
   

6. Make each charm by using a 22-gauge 1½" headpin and the following sequence, with the first item listed being the first put on the headpin:
   
   

7. • For Pearl Design:
     • Top charm: pearl;
     • Middle charm: two pearls;
     • Bottom charm: pearl, corrugated saucer, two pearls.
   • For Crystal Design:
     • Top charm: 7 x 6mm teardrop, 2mm metal bead;
     • Middle charm: 10 x 8mm teardrop, 2mm metal bead, 4mm round bead;
     • Bottom charm: 10 x 8mm teardrop, 2mm metal bead, 4mm round, 2mm metal bead, 4mm round.
   
   

8. After adding the beads or pearls, place the chain nose pliers just above the last bead and bend the headpin over the edge of the pliers at a 90° angle, locking on the beads and proceed to make a wrapped loop.
   
   
   
   

Assembly

1. Lay all components out in order. Start with the middle U. Use chain nose pliers to slightly open the eyes, bending the ends toward either side of the U. Slip on the bottom, longest charm, and set this piece aside.
   
   

2. Take the bottom, largest U and open the eyes slightly. Gently squeeze the U together with your fingers, and hook it over the bottom of the middle U, and on either side of the charm. Close the eyes, making sure not to squeeze them tight, so the U will swing.
   
   
   

3. Slide the top, shortest charm onto the 7mm jump ring. Open the eyes of the smallest U, slip on the middle charm, and then hook this smallest U onto the jump ring, on either side of the charm, and close the eyes. Now, hook the eyes of the middle U onto the top U, and on either side of the middle charm. Finish by attaching ear wires to the jump ring, and enjoy!
   
   

---

 Free Wire Jewelry Patterns

Did you find this pattern through a link from a friend? This Free Wire Jewelry Pattern is just one of dozens of free wire jewelry patterns we send via email. Get patterns like this one straight to your inbox - click here!