Free Pattern: Twisted Lapis Earrings

by Judy Ellis, Wirejewelry.com

Wire Jewelry Pattern for June 1st, 2017

Twisted Lapis Earrings

by Delilah

Make a beautiful pair of twisted wire earrings with barrel shaped lapis gemstones and silver plated wires. Basic wire wrapping techniques are required for making these earrings. Step-by-step instructions and close-up pictures will be your guide throughout the process.
Although this tutorial is marked as intermediate, every beginner should give it a try, it will be totally worth it.

Materials:

• 20 Gauge Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire – 18 ft  (Pattern Quantity – 28 Inches, Product ID: H17-I20-18FT)
• 28 Gauge Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire – 45 ft (Pattern Quantity – 10 Feet, Product ID: H17-I28-45FT )
• 10mm x 15mm lapis barrel beads (Pattern Quantity – 2 Pieces)
• 2mm silver metal beads (Pattern Quantity – 20 Pieces)

Alternative Materials:
You can replace the silver-plated craft wire with any wire you want or that you have on hand; lapis beads can be replaced with any other beads, of course, just pay attention to the length of the wire — the larger the beads, the longer the wire you’ll need.

Tools:

• Acculoop Precision Round Nose (Pattern Quantity – 1 Piece, Product ID: PLR-741.00)
• Classic Wubbers Chain Nose Pliers (Pattern Quantity – 1 Piece, Product ID: G2-1234)
• 5 inch Plato Slim Flush Cutters for Wire Working or Beading – Pack of 1 (Pattern Quantity – 1 Piece, Product ID: G35-3 )

Directions:

Step 1: Cut 4″ of 20g wire and set it aside. Cut the remaining 20g wire in half. Insert one of the wires through the bead, measure about 2.5″ (6-7 cm) and bend the wire against the bead. Bend the longer end of the wire against the bead on the other side.

Step 2: Pinch the wires together so they cross, and make a sharp bend in the longer wire 1.5″ from the bead.

Step 3:
Cut the 28g wire in half. Bend the long frame wire down next to the short frame wire. With one piece of 28g wire, begin weaving, leaving about a 12″ tail. Coil 4 times around the inner wire, then 4 times around both wires. Repeat this weave pattern until you reach the bead.

Step 4: Coil the 28g wire along just the outer frame wire beyond the stone for 15 wraps, then add a silver bead. Take the 28g wire over and around the bead and continue wrapping 15 times and adding a bead until you’ve added 10 beads.

Step 5: Hold the coiled wire with your fingers and twist it around the bead as shown.

Step 6: Hold the two frame wires together and weave up the other side, just as you did the first side.

Step 7: If you run out of 28g weaving wire, begin weaving down from the top with the 12″ tail. When the frame is fully woven, trim off the 28g wire. Pinch snugly against the frame with chain-nose pliers. Bend the outer wire across the other frame wire and wrap it once snugly around the longer frame wire. Trim any excess 20g wire.

Step 8: Trim the last frame wire to about 1/2″ and make a small simple loop with round-nose pliers.

Step 9: Add your favorite ear wires, or use the 20g wire we set aside to make your own.

Happy Wrapping!

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2 Comments

1. 

   Kathleen Ruth

   June 1, 2017 at 12:16 pm

   Very pretty! I may try a multicolored version as I have only some of my wire with me right now–mostly colored craft wire.
2. 

   Maria Perez

   June 1, 2017 at 2:33 pm

   I love the method use here to make this earrings. The photos are amazing and easy to follow. I am not this good, so your free patterns helps me to learn new methods with new styles. thank you so much.
   maria