Earring Basics & Snowflake angel earrings

 

This tutorial from Rings & Things offers three different techniques for creating earrings with different components. Create basic earrings, chandelier earrings or ear threads.

 

Basic earrings: Gently open the loop on the earring component, (see jump ring hint) and insert the earring dangle loop. Close the loop.

 

Jump-ring hint:
When you open and close jump rings, twist sideways instead of “ovalling” them. This keeps their shape better, which makes them easier to close all the way.
 

 

 

Chandelier earrings: Attach charm or connector to earring component (see jump ring hint). Attach dangles by attaching beaded head and eye pins to charm or connector before closing the loop on the dangle.
 

Ear threads: Ear-thread designs can be changed every day. Just slide beads on and wear. The next day re-arrange yesterday’s beads or slide on a whole new design! To keep beads in place use SmartBeads or Bead Bumpers™.

 

Ceramic angel beads, blue glass and snowflake silver charms create beautiful snow-themed earrings for winter or Christmas. Make these earrings with your church group or give for a holiday gift exchange. For more information on Rings & Things and information on the materials in this project, see Rings & Things.

Materials:

• 1 pr. 34-172-1 Extra-large kidney ear wires, surgical stainless steel
• 2 28-684-36 Tiny ceramic angel beads, dark skin
• 4 49-998-04-AS 4x2mm TierraCast™ Turkish-style spacers, antiqued silver
• 4 23-236-452 6mm glass disk spacer beads, sapphire
• 4 23-224-012 4mm round glass beads, opal
• 2 27-841-011-50 1.5mm oval Bead Bumpers™, white
• 2 49-948-06 3-D starflake charms, antique pewter
• round-nose pliers
• pen or dowel

Instructions:

1. Slide starflake charms into the loop at the base of the kidney wires and gently crimp shut with round-nose pliers.
    
2. String the beads directly onto the kidney wire as shown.

NOTE: You must straighten the ear wires to get the angels on. Once you’ve added all the beads, use a pen or dowel as a mandrel to reshape the kidney wire.

HINT: Bead Bumpers are used to keep the beads from moving around.