How to Make Beaded Swarovski Earrings

Swarovski beads.

Swarovski, as a brand, was developed in 1895. Today, it is a market leader of cut crystal. Swarovski produces precision cut crystal products that are used as jewelry beads, crystals for light fixtures, embellishments for fabrics and decorative elements in other areas of design. With jewelry and beading designs, Swarovski crystals are often used as featured centerpiece stones supported by smaller beads, chains or other designs.

Things You'll Need

• Swarovski crystals
• Swarovski crystal beads
• Head pins
• Round nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Findings
• Jump rings
• Chain

Instructions

1. Select larger Swarovski crystallized beads to be featured on the earrings as a focal point. Current trends in the Swarovski catalog use one or two larger crystals supported by a silver chain and smaller Swarovski crystal beads attached to an earring finding.

2. Attach a jump ring to a large crystal. Thread the end of a fine silver chain through the ring and then close the jump ring. Cut the chain at 1/2 inch. Open the loop end of a loop head pin and thread the silver loop through the end of the chain. Close the loop. Add a small crystal onto the head pin. Use round nose pliers to form a second loop. Thread the second loop onto the long section of chain. Trim the loop and close it.

3. Measure 1 inch and cut the chain. Open a silver loop head pin and thread the loop through the cut chain. Close the loop. Add a crystal. Form a loop using round nose pliers. Pick up the long chain end with the new loop. Trim and close. Cut the chain at 1/2 inch. Add a jump ring to both ends of the cut chain. Close the jump ring. Cut the chain at 1-inch, add the bead and head pin loops. Cut the chain at 1/2 inch and add the bead and head pin loops. Cut the chain at 1 inch and add a jump ring and a second large crystal. Use an earring finding through the jump ring in the middle, and you will have an asymmetrical crystal earring that drapes from the center.

4. For a different style of earring, select 3 sizes of Swarovski crystal beads. Select clear seed beads. Mix 3 to 4 crystal beads, plus seed beads on flat head pins. Form a loop on the end of the head pin. Trim the wire and close the loop. Thread the head pin onto a looped silver earring. Fill the wire with randomly sized head pin and bead/crystal mixtures. This will create a star-like earring.

Tips & Warnings

• Use Swarovski crystals as the centerpieces of your design and use lesser expensive beads and crystals to support them. These crystals look particularly good when they are able to dangle and catch the light.

References

• Swarovski: Philosophy
• Fire Mountain Gems: How To Bead Swarovski