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Natalie Patten's Bead and Micro-Crystal Wire Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire. This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create a pair of earrings or a pendant.

Bead and Micro-Crystal Wire Earrings

by Natalie Patten
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping, Weaving
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create a pair of earrings or a pendant. The design is easy to duplicate to create a matching pair of earrings, without having to reverse any of the process to create mirror symmetry. The size of the main focal bead and micro crystals can be adapted as can the gauge of weaving wire used.

Materials

Blue Crazy Lace Agate 10mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.45
  • Gold Club Price: $7.09
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1.5mm micro crystals or beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 24.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 24.00 each
20 Gauge Round Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 15.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $39.22
  • Gold Club Price: $29.42
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28 Gauge Round Dead Soft 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-28D
  • Lesson Quantity: 30.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $6.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.23
Add to Bag
Gold Filled Earwire 19mm - Pack of 2
J19-46
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.30
  • Gold Club Price: $10.73
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Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
Add to Bag
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
Add to Bag
6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
Add to Bag
C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
Instructions
Step 1
Cut three lengths of 0.8mm/ 20-gauge wire at 5 inches each. Starting approximately 2 inches in from the end of the wire, wrap the weaving wire three times to anchor it on to the 0.8mm/ 20-gauge base wire to secure.
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Step 2
Taking another length of the 5 inch 0.8mm/ 20-gauge wire position this on top of the previous base wire and wrap the weaving wire around both wires, twice to bind them together.
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Step 3
Take the third wire and position on top of the second, so that they are sitting close and parallel together. Bring the weaving wire in between the bottom and middle wires to wrap the weaving wire twice to bind together the top two wires.
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Step 4
Bring the wire from the bottom across the bottom and middle wires, in between middle and top wire to wrap over the middle and bottom wire twice.
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Step 5
Continue this "two-two weave" for 15 repetitions, occasionally using your pliers to compress down and neaten the weave.
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Step 6
Finishing the length of weave by binding the top two wires together.
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Step 7
Cut off the starting tail of weaving wire and tuck in.
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Step 8
Leave attached a length of weaving wire (approx. 6 inches).
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Step 9
Gently curve the woven section of the frame.
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Step 10
Add your focal bead to the weaving wire.
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Step 11
Continue to shape the woven wires around the bottom of the bead in a curve, so that the weaving wire running through the bead crosses horizontally to the other side of the frame.
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Step 12
Wrap the weaving wire once around the inner wire on the left hand side, so that the weaving wire is taught and the bead sits in the center of the frame.
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Step 13
Bring the weaving wire back through the bead again and wrap once around the inner wire on the right hand side to secure. Leave the tail of weaving wire attached.
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Step 14
Starting with the inner wires, left side first, bring the wire to the opposite side so that it frames across the top of the bead. Bring the inner most wire on the right hand side behind the last and across to the other side of the frame (it doesn't matter which wire you bring across first as long as they alternate behind each other).
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Step 15
Do the same with the middle wires, bringing behind the one in front to create an alternating criss-cross.
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Step 16
Bring the outer wire on the left over to the right hand side of the frame, and position the right outer wire behind over to the opposite side to create a tear drop shape.
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Step 17
Splay these crossed wires evenly so that you are happy with the size and shape.
Pro Tip: Start the next earring at this point to help ensure perfect symmetry between the two earrings.
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Step 18
When the wires are splayed and you are happy with their positioning take the very back wire and where the wires cross bend slightly so that it runs vertically upwards. Using the outer wire that came across in front, wrap it around the vertically positioned wire.
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Step 19
Once hooked around, cut off the remaining 0.8mm/20-gauge wire.
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Step 20
Tuck in to firmly secure it.
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Step 21
Bend the remaining crossed wires around the back of the frame.
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Step 22
Cut each one, leaving round 1-2 mm enough to bend over and hook onto the frame.
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Step 23
Pinch down around the outer wire of the frame to secure in place.
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Step 24
Ensure your crossed wires are positioned how you would like them to sit (bringing them closer together or spacing them out further from each other will change the size and shaping of the frame).
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Step 25
Using round-nose or the smallest point of 6-step bail-making pliers, create a loop with the vertical wire to form a bail.
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Step 26
Wrap the wire around the neck of the earring to secure the loop.
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Step 27
Cut off any excess 0.8mm/ 20-gauge wire and tuck in firmly.
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Step 28
Reposition the loop if necessary, so that it sits central at the top of the earring.
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Step 29
Using the attached weaving wire, thread on Micro crystals, (approximately nine or ten this can be adapted depending on the size of beads you are using) enough to run around the bottom of the bead and weaved section of the frame.
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Step 30
Position them so that it fills any gap between the bead and the frame and stitch these in place with the weaving wire by threading the weaving wire between the bead and the frame.
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Step 31
Bring the wire back over the top of the frame, in between the second and third micro-crystal and back behind, in between the bead and the frame.
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Step 32
Keep the weaving wire taught and wrap between every two crystals until they are all firmly in place and secured down onto the frame. Use your pliers to flatten the weaving wire to the stone so that it is taught and blends in with the weave. Using your fingers, position the micro-crystals firmly around the bead.
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Step 33
Wrap the weaving wire onto a base wire (the inner most wire if you can position it between the gap in your frame to secure and cut off and tuck down).
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Step 34
Using a small length of weaving wire (about 3 inches) wrap to secure underneath your loop.
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Step 35
Slide on another micro-crystal to this weaving wire and position in the top diamond section created by the crossed wires.
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Step 36
Bring the weaving wire through the bottom diamond section and wrap once to secure the micro-crystal, bringing it out to the front through the top diamond shape.
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Step 37
Add on a second micro-crystal to the weaving wire and bring the wire through the back of the earring between the bead and crossed wire closest to the bead, wrap around the 0.8mm/ 20-gauge wire to secure the crystal, so that it is positioned below the other.
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Step 38
Cut off any remaining weaving wire and tuck in, ensuring that there are no sharp exposes ends.
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Step 39
You can now add on your ear wire by attaching it through the loop. Repeat all steps for a second earring, or add a jump ring if wearing as a pendant.
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