Merry-Go-Round Earrings

Skill Level: Intermediate

Technique: Involved Components

Round and round we go, creating spirals, going around a straight wire with a bead at the end. I used a single 8mm Swarovski® crystal round bead, but a different size/shape bead could be used to give this earring a completely different look. This pair of earrings is approximately 3 inches in length. Also included are directions for making these earrings shorter, for those who enjoy smaller earrings.

Tip: Make both earrings at the same time, working one step on one earring, and then the same step on the other.

Materials

• 22-gauge square half hard wire, 2 feet
• 2  8mm round beads
• One pair ear wires

Tools

• Flat nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Ruler
• Ultra fine point marker
• Round pencil

Instructions

1. Using 22-gauge square half hard wire, straighten, clean, and cut a 12" piece for each earring. Mark three inches from the end of the wire. At this mark, bend the wire 90°, and make a wrapped loop. (If you want to make shorter earrings, shorten this 3" wire.) Do not cut the loop's wrap wire; leave it extended to the side.
   
   
2. Slide an 8mm bead on the shorter wire. Using round nose pliers, make a small loop to hold the bead on and prevent any sharp edges.
   
   
3. Using the long extended wire, beginning at the bottom, wrap the wire tightly around a round pencil, forming a spiral. Slide the pencil out of the wire.
   
   
   
4. Grasp the end of the spiral with chain nose pliers and gently pull downward. Pull until the bottom of the spiral reaches the top of the bead.
   
   
   
5. Make a tiny loop, with chain nose pliers, at the end of the spiraled wire.
   
   
6. Now gently work the straight wire (with the bead) to the inside of the spiraled wire.
   
   
7. Curve the end of the spiraled wire, creating a circle that contains the wire with the bead inside the spirals.
   
   
8. Attach the wrapped loop to an ear wire.
   
   

 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!