Cluster Earrings

Skill Level: Beginner/All

Technique: Involved Components

A simpler variation of an earring design by Dale Cougar Armstrong, use a combination of wire and beads to create a unique pair of earrings. The jewelry artist will be using wraps, wrapped loops and rosettes to create these attractive. By simply changing the color of the wire and/or beads, or even types of beads, you'll enjoy the versatility of this design.

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

Materials

• 1 30" length of 21 Gauge Square Half-Hard Wire
• 24 6mm Round Beads
• 1 pair Ear Wires

Tools

• Chain Nose Pliers
• Flat Nose Pliers
• Round Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Pin Vise
• Ruler
• Extra Fine Point Marker
• Quilter's or Painter's Tape

Instructions

1. Using 21g square 1/2 hard wire, straighten, clean and then measure and cut the following lengths: 6 pieces each 3½-inches in length and 2 pieces each 3-inches long. Bundle and tape two groups of 3 1/2 " pieces, then measure and mark 1 1/2 inch from one end of each earring bundle.
   
   

2. Use a 3-inch wire and flat nose pliers to begin and then wrap from the mark toward the longer end on each earring bundle, 4 times to show. Do not cut this wrap wire.
   
   

3. Twist this wire with a pin vise or leave it untwisted, and trim it to ¾-inch long. Use chain-nose and flat nose pliers to rosette, and place it on front of the wrap just made.
   
   

4. Remove the tape from the short end on each bundle. This will be the top part of the earring dangle. Slightly fan the wires apart and place a 6 mm bead on the middle wire. Make a wrapped loop at the top of this center wire, immediately above the added bead.
   
   

5. Use a pin vise to twist the remaining two wires on each side of the bead. Then trim each twisted wire to 3/4 inch long and rosette each wire up, on the right and left, to lie just above the top of the bead.
   
   

6. Next, remove the remaining tape and bend the two outside wires away from the center wire, horizontally.
   
   

7. On each earring, on both of these horizontal wires, measure and mark 3/8-inch from center. Place flat nose pliers at the ⅜-inch mark, and bend the wire down at a 90° angle. Repeat on each of the outer wires.
   
   

8. On the bottom middle wire, thread on five 6 mm beads. Immediately after the last bead, measure ½-inch and trim off the rest. Use this ½-inch to make a rosette immediately under the last bead, securing all of the beads in place.
   
   

9. On each of the angled, outside wires, thread on three 6 mm beads, placing them so they will lie between the beads in the middle row, (refer to picture). Immediately after the third bead on each wire, measure and then trim the wire to ½ inch below the last bead. Rosette each end wire up and toward the center. Attach to your favorite ear wires or posts 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!