I want to start off by saying I’m no expert in wire work for jewelry. I wish I was, and someday I will be better. I love learning new things, and wire work is exciting for me. And while I’m not an expert, I do know a few simple basic wire work techniques, and I love to incorporate some of these into each piece of jewelry I make. The most common piece of wire work I use is the wrapped loop. I use this when making earrings or necklaces with links.
In this article, I’m going to teach you how to make a pair of simple wire work & gemstone earrings. But before we get to the instructions, I want to talk about the different types of wire that are available. The two most popular kinds of wire are sterling silver and gold or gold filled. These wires are expensive, and are usually sold by the ounce. Because they are precious metals, the price fluctuates day to day. As of right now, sterling silver wire is being sold for $27.50 per troy ounce (which is about 30 feet of 22 gauge wire). Gold filled wire is now about $68.85 per troy ounce, which is about 35 feet of 22 gauge wire. (This is current as of May 5, 2010.) Other types of wire include: nickel silver wire ($13.15 for 125 feet of 22 gauge), stainless steel wire ($ 6.25 for about 33 feet of 22 gauge), copper wire ($6.25 for 125 feet of 22 gauge), brass wire ($8.75 for 125 feet of 22 gauge), silver plated wire ($2.85 for 32 feet of 22 gauge), and gold plated wire ($6.50 for 49 feet of 22 gauge). All prices current as of May 5, 2010, from http://www.rings-things.com.
I’m personally scared to work with sterling silver wire-not that it’s scary, but the fact that it costs so much and I might mess up and waste the wire is scary. So I prefer to use copper or silver plated wire. Copper is the most economical of the two, and so I keep lots of it on hand to practice with ($0.05 a foot is easier to part with!) since it’s less expensive, and more malleable. I usually have 18 or 20 gauge on hand for wire work. While I use copper for practice mostly, I do use it in some designs and projects.
Today’s project is a simple pair of earrings. It features a simple wire work spiral and wrapped loop, which holds the gemstone coin bead.
To make these earrings, you will need the following:
• One pair of ear wires (I used Sterling Silver…I like the mixed metal look)
• 2 7-inch pieces of 18 gauge copper wire
• 2 gemstone coin beads, about 14mm (glass or other bead about the same time works too)
• Flat nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire cutters
Step 1: Pick up one piece of the wire, and make a small loop at the very end of the wire-much like if you were making a simple loop end.
Step 2: Use your flat nose pliers to hold the loop, and use your fingers to bend the wire into a spiral around the simple loop. Keep the spiral going until it measures about half the size of your bead (mine ended up being 3 spirals).
Step 3: Slide the bead onto the wire, and gently bend the spiral until it sits against the bead.
Step 4: Using the flat nose pliers, make a 90 degree bend about ½ inch above the bead. Make a wrapped loop, and add your ear wire.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 to make the second earring.
Your earrings are now complete! These are great to wear with any outfit, and can be dressed up or down. Experiment with other kinds or colors of wire, and different beads.
Sources for supplies:
Copper Wire: Rings & Things
Purple Crazy Lace Agate Gem beads: Lima Beads
All tools: A.C. Moore
Ear Wires: Too Cute Beads
