Directions for Earrings Made With Coiled Springs & Thread

Combine two or three thread colors for a bright pattern.

Coiled wire and thread make striking earrings and are created using a technique similar to making string art. The earrings are formed from hand-twisted coils with two or three colors of embroidery thread strung around the coils in a precise pattern similar to peacock feathers. Once you get the hang of forming and stringing these thread earrings, you can create a collection of them to match different outfits in your wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

• 18-gauge wire
• 24-gauge wire
• Coiling Gizmo
• Wire cutters
• Round-nose pliers
• Embroidery thread or floss
• Clear jeweler's glue
• Embroidery scissors
• Flat-nose pliers
• 2 earring hooks

Instructions

Make the Frame and Coils

1. Cut two lengths of 18-gauge wire about 5 1/2 inches long with wire cutters. Form both wires into matching teardrop shapes without closing the ends. Cut the 24-gauge wire about 32 inches long to make the coil, and set aside.

2. Set up the Coiling Gizmo to a table or counter edge. Attach one end of the 24-gauge wire to the turning rod on the Coiling Gizmo. Turn the rod around clockwise to make an evenly spaced coil on the rod until it is about 3 inches long.

3. Remove the coiled wire, and slide the 18-gauge wire down the center of the coil. Stretch the coil so that the ends of the 18-gauge wire are even on both sides.

4. Cross the 18-gauge wire ends over each other into an "x" to close the teardrop and start a briolette-style wire wrap used to create a wire loop on a briolette, a gemstone pendant with pre-drilled holes.

5. Clip one side of the wire with wire cutters, about 1/4 inch from where the wires cross. Bend back the cut wire using round-nose pliers until the cut wire lays vertically on the uncut wire.

6. Twist the uncut wire into a loop using round-nose pliers at the top of the cut wire. Wrap the rest of the uncut wire below the loop about 4 or 5 wraps.

String the Earrings

1. Split a 4-yard length of each color of embroidery thread into single strands. Take a strand of the first (main) color and tie it off below the wire wrap.

2. Bring the strand down the center of the oval coil, wrap it through the center opening in the coil at the bottom of the teardrop shape, then back up towards the pointed, wire-wrapped end.

3. Move over to the next opening between coils at the top, wrap the string through that opening, then back down toward the bottom. Wrap the string through the opening next to the center of the coil at the bottom and back up around toward the top.

4. Repeat this wrapping pattern, moving over one opening between coils until the whole teardrop is strung with thread.

String a Second Color

1. Take the second color thread and tie it off like the first one below the wire wrap on the pointed side of the teardrop. Bring the thread down to the opening in the middle of the center coil at the bottom as before.

2. Go around to the other side, but instead of moving over one coil opening at the top to string the pattern, wrap the thread between a coil opening about one-third of the way down from the top.

3. Go through that lower coil opening and bring the thread back down toward the next coil opening over from the bottom center as before.

4. String the thread until the pattern is complete one-third of the way down from the top on both sides, so the first color shows through the top center of the earring, and tie off.

5. Glue the thread using jeweler's glue or super glue at every thread wrap along the outside of the coiled wire; clip any loose threads. Attach the earring hooks through the wire loops at the top of the earrings using flat nose pliers.

References

• Jem Library: Woven Thread Earrings
• YouTube: String Art Pendant Tutorial
• How to Make Beaded Jewelry: Briolette Wrap
• YouTube: How to Wire Wrap a Briolette

Resources

• Coiling Gizmo: Coiled Wire Jewelry