Heart Earrings with Drops

Skill Level: All These simple heart earrings are sure to be a hit.

Materials

• 12" of 18 gauge round dead soft wire
• Two beads, up to 7mm in size
• Two head pins
• One pair of earring findings
  

Tools

• Two flat nose and one chain nose pliers
• 6 Step barrel pliers
• Flush cutter
• Bench block and hammer
• Ultra fine point Sharpie marker
• Ruler

Instructions:

1. Note: It is important to read through the directions before starting. These directions are for one earring. Repeat the process for a second one. Straighten and cut a 3" piece of 18 gauge wire.
   
2. Note: For the purposes of this tutorial, the 6 plier steps have been labeled in ascending order. These numbered steps will be referred to and where possible, mandrel sizes will be given as well. Center the wire mark between the jaws of the 6 step pliers and bend it over step 1 (or 3/32" mandrel), crossing the wires to a not quite 90 degree angle.
   
   
3. Grasp the very end of one side of the heart between the jaws of the pliers and make a 3/4 loop over step 6 (or scant 3/8" mandrel). Repeat on the other side.
   
   
4. Use step 2 (or 1/8" mandrel) to make a curl in each partial loop. You may need to adjust the top of the heart to make it even (notice that the left loop of the heart here is a little higher than the right).
   
   
5. Hammer the upper outer curves until they have a flattened appearance. Use the ball end of the hammer to flatten the lower portion of the lower loop. After flattening those sections, adjust the heart so the top curls are touching. Then, lightly tap the front side once and back side once.
   
   
   
6. Use step 2 (or 1/8" mandrel) to make six jump rings with 18 gauge round wire.
   
7. Use two flat nose pliers (or a flat and chain nose) to attach one jump ring to each side of the heart. Open another jump ring. Slide it through both jump rings on the heart and the loop on the earring finding. Close the jump ring.
   
   
8. To attach a wire wrapped bead: After making the loop but before wrapping the neck, slide the headpin wire onto the lower heart loop. Finish the wrap and trim off the excess wire.
   
   
   Congratulations! You've made your first set of Heart Earrings with Drops.
   
   

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