Amber Chain Earrings

by Kylie Jones

Category: Chain Maille
Technique(s): Chain Making
Skill Level: Beginner

Amber is made from the fossilized resin from ancient trees, some pieces contain other organic matter like seeds or insects. To set off the amazing shapes and colors of these chip beads I have designed this pattern so the amber hangs in a bunch, almost like grapes.

Materials

New! 1 Kilo Tumbled Undrilled Small Gemstone Chips - 1 Kilo Bag

E6-5

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

Out of Stock

18 ga jump rings 8mm sterling jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 10.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 10.00 each

20 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-20H

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $3.39
Gold Club Price: $2.54

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Tools

4.5 Inch Flat Nose Mini Pliers

G2-88

G2-88
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Premium Jump Ring Mandrels - Set of 2

G7-50

G7-50
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.97
Gold Club Price: $11.98

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Instructions

Step 1

The ear wires I made to go with these earrings are small and plain to allow the shape of the drooping amber beads to dominate the design. Using the silver wire make the 2 ear wires. With round nose pliers make a small loop on the ends of both pieces of wire. Hold the small loops against your mandrel and wrap the wire around it to form the ear wire shape. With flat nose pliers bend the tail of the wires down to align with the loops on the other end. Hammer or tumble your ear wires to harden them so they are ready to wear.

Kylie Jones's Amber Chain Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , amber chain earrings

Step 2

With an open ring go through the small ring of the ear wire and close the ring. I chose to make these earrings directly on the ear wire because it easily shows which side is the front and back of the design which is important in the steps of this pattern. (2)

Step 3

Take an open ring and place an amber chip on the ring and go through the ring that is hanging from the ear wire and close the ring. The hole in the amber chip bead needs to be slightly larger than the ring wire, this is to allow the chip bead to move around the curve of the ring without getting stuck and sitting out at a weird angle. Do this step twice so you have 2 rings with amber hanging from the original ring.

Step 4

ake an open ring, add an amber chip and attach the ring to one of the already hanging rings, this new ring needs to go behind the amber chip that was already there, so the amber chip is at the front of the design and the newly added ring sits behind. Repeat this step so that you have an amber ring hanging from each of the original amber rings.

Step 5

Take an open ring, add an amber chip and attach the ring to the bottom ring added in step 4, this new ring needs to go behind the amber chip that was already there, so the amber chip is at the front of the design and the newly added ring sits behind. Now take the open ring and attach it to the top ring added in step 4 the new ring needs to go behind the amber chip, now close the ring. Make another earring in exactly the same way.

Reviews

Kylie Jones

I am a jewelry designer living on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia. I love the challenge of designing jewelry, the mix of creative energy and problem solving. I love chain maille because it is low tech, it makes gorgeous ornamental patterns and textures, and it has a strong link to the past. You can see more of my work at: www.ringsandstones.com.au