Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Earring Tutorial - Turquoise Beads

This past weekend I made a new pair of turquoise earrings from a necklace that I made several years ago...and NEVER actually wore.




 Would you like to learn how to make a pair? Read on!


You Will Need

Beads (you choose the color)
Beading Pliers
Earring Hooks
Beading Wire
Crimp Beads
Metal Loops (IDK what these are actually called but you'll see what I mean)

Here is the necklace...




I wanted to reuse all of those beautiful beads so I just snipped it with a pair of these...

Beading Pliers
...and then I started my project.

Step #1
Straiten/flatten the loop on your earring hook so that you can remove the existing bead(s) and add one of your "new" beads.


Step #2
Using the flat part of your pliers, bend the wire backwards and then, using the round part of your pliers, recreate a loop at the base of the earring hook.










Step #3
Take the metal loop and link it to the earring loop (you will have to open it slightly and then clamp it back together so that there is no space/gap. If you leave a space/gap then your link will easily break causing your earrings to fall apart).

Metal Loop


Step #4
String colorful beads of your choice onto the beading wire (this may look thick but it actually very thin and very flexible and easy to work with). I used 5 beads for the inner loop and 9 beads for the outer loop (depending on the size of beads that you are using you may want to use more or less).
Note: You can find beading wire at most craft stores and sometimes at Wal-Mart.





Step #5
Take your crimp bead and string all (4) of the wire ends through it.
Note: You can find crimp beads at most craft stores and sometimes at Wal-Mart.

Crimp Bead


Step #6
Now string all (4) of the wire ends through the metal loop, bend them around the loop and back through the crimp bead.
Tip: When stringing them through the crimp bead for the second time, it helps to push each wire through separately rather than all at once...it's a bit of a tight fit.




Step #7
Using the flat part of your pliers, squeeze the crimp bead flat over all the wires.


Step #8
Cut off all of the loose ends as close to the crimp bead as possible.
Tip: I have found that you can get a closer cut with a sharp pair of scissors than the wire cutter on the pliers.


Taa Daa!!!







 I just love the way they turned out and will be wearing them all Spring and Summer! I am planning to use the leftover beads to make a matching, double strand bracelet. 






Don't you think these would make a fabulous gift?


Happy jewelery making!


10 comments:

  1. You're gorgeous! Love the earrings!

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  2. Hi Detta,
    I just wanted to let you know that I'm launching a new site that's a collection of different jewelry projects, www.AllFreeBeadedJewelry.com, and that I linked to this project:
    http://www.allfreebeadedjewelry.com/Strung-Earrings/Double-Strand-Dangle-Earrings

    I would like to know if I can link like this to you, including a photo, in the future. Or if you would be willing to allow me to post projects in full on the site - full credit will always be given to you, of course. It would be yet another source of traffic to your blog.

    Please let me know, I would love to work with you further.
    Thanks!
    Maggie Kmiecik
    mkmiecik@primecp.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maggie, I am flattered that you want to use my tutorial on you site. Of course you may use it (pics and full tutorial). I just ask that you link it back to the original blog post.

    <3 b

    ReplyDelete
  4. These look like they have a nice swing to them. Cool!

    Jewelie Dee
    www.anearringaweek.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow you are great and have done the great job. Now I can Easily made the Turquoise beads earrings for my love.Thanks a lot...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really appreciate you allowing AllFreeBeadedJewelry.com to link to your tutorial (which btw is precisely how I landed here ;-). I'm new to the Jewelry making community and am quite frankly very intimidated, self-doubting and all-around scared as can be. I stumbled upon AllFreeBeadedJewelry.com and am so thankful for such a wonderful resource…after all, it lead me to APlaceEmbracedByHarmony.com – thank you for Earring Tutorial - Turquoise Beads, they’re beautiful…in fact, I am going to attempt to make them just as soon as I post this message ...I only hope they turn out somewhat close to yours =)

    Blessings,
    Jennette

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  7. i would use a crimp bead cover to cover up the ends. it would look neater and more professional. thanks for the tutorial!

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  8. What is the length of wore for both the inner hoop and outer so that the hoop with beads match for both earrings?? Do you just eyeball it? Lol I'm going to try to make these today. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete