How to Craft Hand-Woven Thread Earrings
Woven thread earrings are also known as "Peruvian threaded earrings" and are made by winding a piece of thread around a piece of coiled wire. These earrings are usually round or in a teardrop shape and can have up to three colors of thread in the design.
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Things You'll Need
- 14-gauge wire
- 24-gauge wire
- Ruler
- Wire cutters
- Coiling Gizmo
- Pliers
- Scissors
- Embroidery thread
- Clear nail polish
- Earring wires
Instructions
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1
Bend a piece of 14-gauge wire into a teardrop shape or circle so you know how long you need to cut it. Add 4 inches to this length so you will have enough to wind it together at the top. Cut two pieces of 14-gauge wire at the length you determine.
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2
Cut 3 or 4 feet of the 24-gauge wire, just to make sure you have enough. Attach the end of the wire to the Coiling Gizmo and coil the wire. Slide the coiled wire off of the Coiling Gizmo when you are done and gently pull the two ends to stretch the coil. You need the coils to be about 1 or 2 mm apart.
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3
Slide the coiled wire onto the 14-gauge wire so that it covers it all the way around. Use your pliers to help you wind the ends of the wire at the top to close your teardrop or circle but leave about 2 inches of wire extending from the top of the shape. Straighten the wire so that your shape is even on all sides.
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4
Begin adding your thread. Tie the thread tightly at the top of your shape and bring the thread directly down to the middle of the bottom of the shape. Continue wrapping by bring it around and back up to the top next to where you started. The spaces in the coil will hold the thread in place. Keep winding the thread back and forth from the top to the bottom until you come back around to the top. Tie the thread tightly at the top to finish.
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5
Add a second color to the design, if you want. Start it the same way that you started the first color but bring the thread down to the middle of the bottom and then up to the middle of the side instead of back to the top.
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6
Dab some clear nail polish over the thread on the edges of the shape so it doesn't come loose. Let the nail polish dry. Make a loop at the top of the shape with the extra 2 inches of wire. Wrap any excess wire around the knots to cover them up. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 to make the other earring.
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7
Attach the two earrings to the loops on a pair of earring wires.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not wrap the thread too tight or you will distort the shape of the earrings.
References
- Photo Credit thread image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com
