https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-make-spiraled-bead-and-wire-earrings • Posted by zoraida.bros
These pretty wire and bead spiral earrings are easy to make, even for a beginning wirework artist. They look great in different bead sizes and colors or even multi-colored. This earring design can also be varied by using more or smaller beads. The beads can also be added at the bottom only or you can add a bead to the center of the spiral. I’m sure you can come up with a number of variations.
These pretty wire and bead spiral earrings are easy to make, even for a beginning wirework artist. They look great in different bead sizes and colors or even multi-colored. This earring design can also be varied by using more or smaller beads. The beads can also be added at the bottom only or you can add a bead to the center of the spiral. I’m sure you can come up with a number of variations.
Cut the 18 gauge wire in half so that each piece is 5” long and form an open spiral leaving a ½ tail at the top.
Form a small loop out of the tail facing the opposite direction and center it on top of the spiral. This is the frame.
Cut 18” of the 24-26 gauge wire and attached it to the top of the spiral near the loop. Leave a 1” tail to hold on to. This is the weaving wire. Holding the spiral frame in your non dominant hand, coil the fine wire around the frame approximately 3/4″. Add a bead to the weaving wire
Push the bead down snuggly against the spiral frame. Continue to coil the weaving wire around the frame in the same direction for 3 turns. Hold the bead firmly in place with the non dominant hand while you coil.
Add another bead and repeat step 6 until you’ve added 7 beads. The 7th bead should be directly opposite the 1st bead on the frame. If not, gently adjust the beads so they appear symmetrical. Continue to coil around the frame until you reach the top of the frame near the loop.
With the same weaving wire, connect the top of the frame to the body of the spiral near the top loop.
Wrap the wire 2-3 times around this top section. Cut the weaving wire close to the frame and tuck it in with the flat or chain nose pliers. Cut the tail at the top of the spiral where the coiling started and tuck it in.
Attach an ear wire to the loop at top of the frame Make another earring but remember to face the spiral in the opposite direction to the first earring before adding the ear wire. You will have a left and right earring.