How to Make Earrings With Beading Chain
Beading chain is the same jewelry grade metal chain that necklace chains are made of. Using beading chain to make earrings instead of thread allows the earring to move about and sway more freely. Simple, classy and elegant are a few words that describe earrings made with beading chain. Earrings made with beading chain create a lovely, delicate and flirty accessory. Making your own is a great way to personalize them.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 equal lengths of chain (gold, silver, copper, etc.)
- 2 accent pieces (beads, stone, crystal, etc.)
- 2 headpins
- 2 ear wires
- 2 jump rings (matching the chain metal)
- Pliers (round nose and chain nose)
- Wire cutters
Instructions
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1
Cut the chain to the length you wish.
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2
Use the pliers to gently twist open one link from one side of each chain length.
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3
Thread an ear wire onto the open links.
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4
Use the pliers to gently twist the links closed again.
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5
Thread your accent piece onto each of the headpins.
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6
Trim the headpins if necessary.
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7
Bend the wire of the headpins into loops using the tip of the round nose pliers as a guide. Do not close the loops all the way.
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8
Thread a jump ring into each of the loops. Continue twisting to close them.
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9
Open the last links on the free ends of the chain lengths (the ends not attached to the ear wires).
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10
Thread the jump rings onto them.
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11
Use the pliers to gently twist the links closed.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The cut edge of the headpins will be sharp; you can press them with the pliers or gently hammer them to dull them. Either way, press them into the wire and bead so that they are away from the skin when worn.
Take into consideration the weight of your accent piece and the strength of the bead chain you have chosen as heavy stones or crystals can pull on the chain links causing them to open or break.
Always twist jump rings and chain links apart. Pulling them apart often will break them; and if they do not break immediately, it will weaken them, causing them to break at some point.
