How to Make Spiral Caged Earrings

Make earrings with caged beads.

Jewelry crafters create spiral caged earrings with jewelry wire. The process involves bending the wire to form a spiral cage for a bead. Choose wire that is flexible enough to bend but strong enough to hold the shape, such as 20 gauge wire. You can use beads of any size. Crafters new to wire work can become comfortable creating wire jewelry in a short period of time.

Things You'll Need

• Jewelry wire, 20-gauge
• Round-nosed pliers
• Flat-nosed pliers
• 2 beads
• Jump ring

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of wire 9 inches long. The length of the wire may be shorter or longer depending on the size of the bead you use.

2. Hold one end of the wire firmly with a pair of round-nosed pliers. Twist it to the left or right to form a loop. Repeat this step on the other end of the wire.

3. Hold one loop flat between the jaws of a pair of flat-nosed pliers. Use your free hand to curl the wire around the circle carefully to form a spiral. Repeat to form a series of flat spirals until you reach the middle of the wire.

4. Repeat step 3 with the loop at the other end of the wire but curl the wire in the opposite direction. The spirals should meet in the center like an "S." Ensure that both are identical in size.

5. Fold one spiral over the other. Flatten them together between the jaws of the flat-nosed pliers.

6. Pull out the loop in the center of each spiral with the round-nosed pliers. Pull gently until they are at right angles. Hold one loop with the pair of round-nosed pliers and hold the other with the pair of flat-nosed pliers. Gently pull the loops in opposite directions to extend the spirals. Ensure that the spaces between the spirals are even.

7. Open the center of the cage and place a bead inside. Press the wire coils around the bead to keep it secure in the cage. Use the flat-nosed pliers to hold the loop at one end of the cage. Fold it down to close the opening at the bottom of the cage.

8. Hold one end of the jump ring with the flat-nosed pliers and the other end with the round-nosed pliers. Gently pull the pliers in opposite directions to open the ring.

9. Slide the extended loop on the caged bead and the loop on the ear wire onto the jump ring. Use both pairs of pliers to close the ring.

10. Repeat the previous steps for a second earring.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice with inexpensive jewelry wire to learn the technique before you work with precious metal wire.

References

• Making Bead & Wire Jewelry: Simple Techniques, Stunning Designs; Dawn Cusick; 2002
• Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry; Linda Jones; 2004