Make Dangling Pearl Earrings

If you're going to a wedding or any other formal event, you can buy a pair of expensive earrings at the store--or you can make your own. With these instructions and high-quality pearls, beads and trimmings, you can create elegant earrings to accompany your elegant style.

Steps

  1. Assemble the equipment listed below. Make both earrings step-by-step together. Slide your beads in the following order onto both headpins: pearl, Bali spacer bead, clear crystal bead, small round silver spacer bead.
  2. Use your hands and bend the headpins 80 to 90 degrees above the small round spacer beads.
  3. Grip the bent headpin above the small spacer bead with your round nose pliers as shown in the graphic.
  4. Use your free hand to bend the headpin clockwise around the nose of the pliers. You might have to reposition your pliers once or twice.
  5. Continue to bend the headpin until you have formed a complete loop.
  6. Release your pliers, and use your wire cutters to cut the extra wire that does not form part of the loop. Always protect your eyes when cutting wire.
  7. Open the loop slightly with your round nose pliers and slide the chain (with 10 links) onto the loop. Try not to open it too wide otherwise the round shape of the loop will be distorted. Close the loop completely with your round nose pliers.
  8. Open the jump ring with your round nose pliers in one hand and another set of pliers in the other hand. Slide the chain and earring wire hook onto the jump ring. Close the jump ring.
  9. View the result in the photo. Your finished earrings will look like the ones shown in the graphic.
  10. Finished.

Tips

  • The best way to open a jump ring is to grip the ring on both sides of the split with round nose pliers in one hand, and flat or chain nose pliers in the other hand. Don't pull it open, but move one pliers towards you and the other away from you.
  • Pearls have very small holes in them. Be certain to buy a headpin that will fit in the hole.

Warnings

  • Protect your eyes when cutting wire!

Things You'll Need

  • 2 headpins, 2" long
  • 2 pearls of your choice
  • 2 Bali spacer beads
  • 2 clear crystal beads, 4mm
  • 2 small round silver spacer beads, 2mm
  • 3" jewelry making chain: links must be at least 2mm
  • 2 jump rings, 3mm
  • 2 earring wire hooks (French earring wires)
  • Round nose pliers
  • Flat or chain nose pliers
  • Wire cutters

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