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The more I get into something, like, say making jewelry, the more I want to be able to do. I never would have been content to simply make beaded jewelry. No, I also need to cast my own bangles and make a pair of earrings from nothing but jewelry wire.
Now I tried to follow a tutorial that I had found online that suggested that I use 20 gauge wire. I was surprised at how easily I was able to make the shapes using jewelry pliers as directed. I ran and popped my new earrings in my ears and tried to push on an earring back, only to find that I had bent the wire up behind my earlobe. And somehow I really, really bent that sucker on, too. It turns out that the wire is a weensy bit too soft for backs to slip on.
To say I freaked out is an understatement. I started pulling at it and got all panicky and now my left ear lobe is hot and experiencing a mild amount of pain. But you live and learn, right?
I was putting my new 20 gauge jewelry wire back into my jewelry tackle box when I saw some 18 gauge wire. It was a bit thicker and considerably sturdier. Now honestly I probably purchased the wrong 20 gauge wire to begin with because I just don’t know that much about jewelry wire, but what I do know is that this particular 18 gauge wire worked perfectly and I’m linking to the exact wire I used to be safe.
For this project you will need:
Wrap the wire around your rounded jewelry pliers in a haphazard manner. Just keep track of the number of times you go around to keep your earrings consistent. Remove from the pliers and using your fingers or the pliers themselves smash the knot to flatten out as much as you can. Cut off about an inch of wire and continue to make the second knot for the second earring.
Take the wire and bend to form the post that will go into your earlobe.
Trim the posts to be a standard earring size.
Use your jewelry file to knock away any sharp edges. I was told that not everyone does this but that it is highly advisable. I went ahead and got an inexpensive set because I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Place your earring backs on. See on my back post isn’t 100% straight? It’s no biggie and works perfectly well. You can’t tell when they’re on.
And there they are! They aren’t the simple geometric shapes I had hoped to make, but I’m pretty happy with these for my first attempt. Plus, they look kind of like roses! Thanks for checking out my first attempt. Will you be making some earrings?
