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JLynn has been in the Art, Craft & Jewelry industry for over 30 years ~ promoting creativity through Education and Media. As a published designer, JLynn is known for her colorful Art, Artisan Jewelry, Altered ART Wood Tiles. Online since 2004, a former eBay Power Seller, on Etsy, and Amazon. Family, Art, Nature and Kaleidoscopes are some of her inspirations

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Tutorial - Mastering Wire Wrapped Loops


Earthy DROP EARRINGS
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Supplies:
2 - 4mm Bicone Swarovski Crystals (Indian Sapphire shown)
2—3mm Bicone Swarovski Crystals (Black Jet shown)
2—Czech 11x9mm Oval (Wasabi w/Picasso shown)
2—Czech 5x4 Rondelles (Emerald Wasabi shown)
2—Czech 5x6 Rondelles (Blue shown)
2—Fallen Angel 9mm Art Nouveau Bead Caps
4—Fallen Angel Star Flower 5.5mm Bead Caps
2—3” Fallen Angel Brass Headpins
Rosary & Bent Chain-Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters


INSTRUCTIONS:
No matter what level beader you are, this tutorial is geared to take you step-by-step with an easy approach to wire wrapping to give your basic drop earrings a clean, professional, finished look. These earrings are fun to create and can be created in a multitude of color combinations—be creative in your choices and also arranging your stack.


  1. Begin by stacking beads on Head pins.  Grasp the head pin just above beads with the tips of your rosary pliers. Gently bend the wire over the top of the pliers (pushing down and away from you) to make a 90 degree angle (side view shown). Note...The size of the top loop/circle is determined by the wire placement on the rosary pliers. To ensure your earrings have the same size top loop, be consistent with wire placement (tip...beginners can mark their pliers with a sharpie to line up their wire).
  2. Rotate your pliers a 1/4 turn to the top of wire (side view shown).
  3. Without shifting your pliers, shape the wire up and over the pliers ending with the wire pointing down.
  4. Reposition your pliers so they are in the opening, then shape the wire to complete a circle (which will be off-center until you complete the next step).

  5. Without releasing your grip on the pliers, rotate/turn your circle so that it is centered over the headpin and the end of the wire is angled up.   
  6. Press down on the end of the wire so that you once again have a 90 degree angle and perfect circle. (tip...create your 2nd earring and compare loop sizes prior to completing the finishing details).
  7. Place your Rosary pliers vertically across the top of your circle. Take your bent chain-nose pliers and grasp the tip of the wire then cross over the center of the headpin staying parallel to your rosary pliers.
  8. Continue winding the wire around the head pin taking the time and care to keep coils tight and precisely next to one another (reposition your bent chain-nose pliers after each side to side pass).
  9. Using a pair of side cutters, clip the excess wire on an angle (this will ensure you have a professional looking end).
  10. Using your Bent chain-nose pliers, press and tuck the end of the wire next to the last coil so there are no sharp edges. Open your ear wire sideways and slip on the stacked drop, then move the ear wire back in place


Designer variations...try any style oval bead, and coordinate your Czech Glass rondelles and Swarovski Crystals with them.. This particular style is shown with Fallen Angel Black Brass—but you can also create a similar design with Sterling Silver or Vintaj Brass Metal.

Note:  All images, jpgs, jewelry design, text are the property of JLYNNJEWELS and copyrighted/monitored. You are free to use this tutorial for your own personal use but it cannot be copied and redistributed without the consent of JLynnJewels in any form.

ENJOY!
Compliments of Janice Everett at:
http://www.JLynnJewels.com
http://www.artfire.com/users/JLynnJewels
http://www.Etsy.com/shop/JLynnJewels

9 comments:

  1. Very nice Janice! I love how easy to follow your tutorial is. You always have been so good at teaching others how to do things! :)

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  2. thanks for this! The bent chain nose pliers make it look so easy!

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  3. WOW! Thanks for sharing your talent, the photos and instructions are very well put together, this is a great tutorial! Love the earrings too, they are very pretty :)

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  4. Great tutotial and beautiful earrings! I will become a follower!

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  5. Thanks Marie, Amanda, Amanda, and Shyme(welcome Shyme to the Blog too)! I love teaching and passing on skills to keep the arts going :). And Amanda L. - the Bent nose pliers are key for keeping your loops even and neat looking :)

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  6. Love your tutorials! Thanks for visiting my stores. You might enjoy my Blog.
    http://www.PatsyEvinsStudio.com/blog

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  7. Thanks so much Patsy - I'll swing by and visit your blog sometime this weekend :)

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  8. Thanks for tute! Very Nice Looking Earrings...also my favorite Color.

    Thank You
    Cindy

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  9. Nice tutorial, thank you! I have just signed up as an email follower to your blog too!

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Thank you for posting! All comments are reviewed prior to publishing - thanks for your patience and understanding :)