Snowman Drop Earring Tutorial!

From the Archives!  

These Snowman Earrings are just as popular today as they were the day I first made them back in the late 80s.  This Tutorial was originally published on the Bead Trends Magazine & Blog back in 2010, so thought it would be fun to share once again!  You're welcome to use this Snowman Earring design for your personal gift giving and small business use. 

Tutorial and design are the intellectual property of JLynnJewels 

and cannot be copied or distributed in any form without our written approval.

No matter what design skill level you're at…this tutorial is geared to take you step-by-step with an easy approach to wire wrapping, that give your drop Earrings a clean, professional, and finished look. 

Supplies:
2—Jet 4mm Round Swarovski Crystals
2—Jet 6mm Margarita Swarovski Crystals
2—Crystal 5mm Round Swarovski Crystals
2—Crystal 6mm Round Swarovski Crystals
2—Crystal 8mm Round Swarovski Crystals
2—22 Gauge Sterling Silver Headpins
Embroidery Floss, Yarn or other material for Scarf
Rosary & Bent Chain-Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters

Instructions:
Begin by stacking Crystals on Head pins (22 gauge is suggested due to the 8mm crystal hole size).

1. Grasp the head pin just above crystals with the tips of your rosary pliers.  Gently press the wire down over the top of the pliers 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 when shaping).
2. Rotate your pliers a 1/4 turn so that they are now at the top of the wire.
3. Without shifting your pliers, shape wire over the pliers ending with the end pointing down.
4. Reposition your pliers so they are in the opening, then complete the circle by bending the wire around the lower edge (circle will be off-center until you complete the next step).
5. Without releasing your grip on the pliers, rotate and bend the entire circle so that it’s centered over the headpin (end of the wire will be 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…to ensure earrings are the same length, create your 2nd earring and compare loop sizes prior to completing the finishing details)

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.  Cross over and begin wrapping the wire around the center of the headpin, staying parallel to your rosary pliers.
8. Continue winding the wire around the head pin taking your time 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.
11. Attach the scarf by using embroidery floss or yarn with a square knot.
12. Open your ear wire sideways and slip on the stacked drop, then move the ear wire back in place.

Unique designer variations…
Try White Jasper, Riverstone, Bone, Resin, or Czech Glass with different trims, ribbons, and metals such as Vintaj Natural Brass.  To create a shorter earring—experiment by using smaller millimeter Swarovski crystals or by reducing the snowmen to two parts (versus three).

ENJOY…Happy Holidays!
JLynn