Making Handcrafted Art-Wire Jewellery

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by HEATHER SAXON of Hotwired Beads

These gorgeous freeform wire earrings were created by Heather Saxon of Hotwired Beads, who generously supplied this tutorial. Thanks, Heather!

What You Will Need:

  • 1 or 2 spools of 24 gauge Artistic Wire
  • 1 spool 20 gauge Artistic Wire
  • Earring wires
  • Flat nose pliers
  • Round nose pliers
  • Flush cutters

NOTE: When winding the ‘freeform bead’, I have found that winding two spools together produces a more evenly finished bead (and in half the time!), so if you are making a single colour bead try to use two spools.

Instructions:

Step One: Create the Desired Length

Holding the two 24 gauge wires in your left hand, with about 1″ (2cm) tails, loop around a size 11 (3mm) knitting needle.  Start by turning the needle away from you, capturing the tails under the wire coil.  Continue twisting as evenly as possible, keeping wires slightly apart until you reach the desired length.

Step Two: Make it the Right Width

Working in the same manner, wind the wire back down to your starting point and continue up and down the ‘bead’ length until it is as thick as you want it.  Try to make sure the beads don’t ‘taper off’ at each end.

Step Three: Finish the Bead

Finish the bead with several tight coils around the knitting needle, flush to the bead end. Flush cut carefully and give the bead a squeeze from each end with flat nose pliers.

Step Four: Make the Coil

WOTWS (working off the wire spool/supply), slide a bead onto 20 gauge wire and with the end of your round nose pliers coil the wire three times to make a tiny uniform coil. Finish with the cut end flush against the wire coil bead.

Step Five: Turn it Into an Earring

Holding the bead firmly down on this coil, cut wire leaving a 2″ (5cm) tail and form a single eye loop.  Insert it through the loop of earring wire and twist wire snugly around the neck of the formed eye pin.

Step Six: Repeat!

Since this is a pair of earrings, make sure you prepare two matching beads in whatever length, width or colour that appeals to you. 😉

Thanks Heather!

Much thanks to Heather Saxon of Hotwired Beads for giving us this awesome freeform wire earrings tutorial! Be sure to show your support by checking out her site here.

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About the Author

Christine Gierer

I'm Christine Gierer and I'm obsessed with making jewelry and teaching others how to do it too. I've been a creative person all my life, and I've done all kinds of things like art, sociology, and counseling. But nothing makes me happier than playing with beads, wires, and tools and sharing my tips and tricks with you. I have two awesome websites where you can find tons of tutorials, courses, and workshops on how to make jewelry and how to sell it online.

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