linques design speaks: Cascading Crystal Earrings Tutorial

Here's a little WIP you can try for today! This is a very fun project to make, and this month's Whipup is accessories, so it coincides nicely. Now I'm not even sure if I can enter this for Whiplash because I still can't figure out how, but that doesn't mean I can't post it!

Cascading Crystal Earrings Tutorial

*Please try this project, but only for personal use! Please don't sell items made using this tutorial. Thanks!*

Finished length app 2"; skills used: wire wrapping, wire twisting

The pictures will come first, then the explanation

*The finished earrings*

Step 1: Gather your materials. You will need:
-2 french earring wires, I've used sterling silver
-2 lengths of chain, I've used 12 links per earring
-wire, I've used 24 gauge round sterling silver wire
-crystals, I've used 12 per earring in a 6mm bicone
-round nose pliers
-flat nosed pliers
-wire cutters, I always use fingernail clippers-they're the best!

Step 2: Begin to wrap your wire into coils, both for decoration and to hold your beads in place. Using your round nosed pliers, grasp the very end of the wire. Wrap your pliers, creating a tight coil with the wire.

(sorry for the blurry picture, I needed to show an action shot)

Step 3: Once you have made your starter coil shown in step 2, grasp it with your round nose pliers. You will need to twist your pliers while holding the coil, so the coil builds tightly around itself. I generally make my coils about 2 times around.

Step 4: Once you have your coil to your desired size, you will need to cut it. You have to leave enough wire to wrap around your bead later, so using your wire cutters cut your wire so it leaves you with about 2".

Step 5: Now you will need to create enough wires for all of your beads. Repeat steps 2-4 until you have enough. I have used 12 per earring, so 24 in total.

Step 6: Prepare your ear wires. Add you length of chain to the earrings. This will make your wire wrapping easier because you will have more weight on the chain.

Step 7: Determine your color layout. I always lay both earring patterns out so I don't mess up later. Here I have layed them out bottom to top when they'll be on the earrings by going left to right.

Step 8: Begin wire wrapping. (Multiple photos, shown off of the chain first to get the details.) This will ensure the beads don't ever fall off of the chain. Begin by grasping your wire with your first bead a little above the bead, and bend it to the right in a 90* angle.

Next, twist your round nose pliers to create a loop.

You will now need to straighten the loop so it aligns with the bead. Still using your round nose pliers, grasp the bottom of the loop and twist it so the loop straightens up. Open up the loop and slide it onto the first link at the bottom of your chain. (This will not be depicted, simply because I need to show the wrapping.)

***While the wire loop is on your chain, grasp the loop as shown using your round nose pliers. Then grasp the wire end using your flat nosed pliers, and begin to wrap the wire tightly around itself, going all the way to the top of the bead.

Once the wire is wrapped to the top of the bead, trim the wire end closely so it doesn't poke or stick out. Here's what it will look like on the chain:

Step 9: Add your other crystals. I always work form the bottom up, and also alternate between the left side of the link to the right side, so the crystals are spaced apart a little bit.

Step 10: Repeat for the other earring, and enjoy!

Using the same technique, you can create many different styles. Try letting your silver oxidize a little to get a different effect, or try using the wrapped technique at the bottom of the bead instead of the coil.

Couldn't get it to link, so to check it out go to Whiplash !