How to Make Handcrafted Wire Earrings

Designing and creating your own jewelry with beads and wire is a craft you’ll enjoy time and again. Make handcrafted bead and wire earrings with a simple technique and a few jewelry making tools.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 20 or 24 Gauge Wire
• Two 18mm Beads
• Wire Cutters
• Round Nose & Needle Nose Pliers
• Earring Findings

1. 
   Make a Loop

   Cut two pieces of wire, 12 inches each. Hold one section of wire with your round nose pliers, one inch from the end. Twist the end so that it folds around the tip of the pliers, like an upside down “U”. Place the bead on the wire and slide it down over both ends until it stops at the loop.

2. 
   Add the Bead

   Hold the wire about one inch from the open end of the bead. Fold the wire to make another loop. Hold the wire just above the bead with your needle nose pliers. Wrap the wire at the base of the bead, and then continue around the bead in a spiral. End by wrapping the last of the wire around the base of the bead to secure it in place.

3. 
   Wrapped Bead

   Open the jump ring on the earring finding and slide the bead on by one of the loops. Close the jump ring and enjoy your earring.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a small crystal or coordinating bead onto the dangling loop before you add the large bead.