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Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. Do you love the look of briolette and top drilled bi-cone beads, but when it comes to using them, you put it off because they can be difficult to wrap? This design, for a simple yet stunning pair of earrings, centers around one of the ways to combine wire and these gorgeous beads.

Briolette Earrings

by Dale Armstrong
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Do you love the look of briolette and top drilled bi-cone beads, but when it comes to using them, you put it off because they can be difficult to wrap? This design, for a simple yet stunning pair of earrings, centers around one of the ways to combine wire and these gorgeous beads. After making these, I’m sure you will find lots of variations and develop your own beautiful earring designs!
Special Instructions: **Tip: practice using less expensive beads until you get the procedure down, as sometimes the top of the bead can snap off when applying too much pressure while making round wire components.

Materials

21 Gauge Round Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-21H
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $6.93
  • Gold Club Price: $5.19
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21 Gauge Square Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-21SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $8.93
  • Gold Club Price: $6.70
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Gold Filled Earwire w/ Coil Only 17.5mm - Pack of 10
J19-62
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.84
  • Gold Club Price: $11.13
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Gold Filled Cable Chain 1.8mm - 10 Feet
C4-122U
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $83.60
  • Gold Club Price: $62.70
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8mm x 12mm briolette
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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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
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Double Ended Pin Vise
G5-4
  • G5-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
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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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C.H.P Milano Angled Flush Cutter, 5-1/4 Inches
PLR-489.00
  • PLR-489.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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Marker -extra fine
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Straighten, clean then measure and cut all necessary wire. Find and mark the center of each 3-inch long wire, (at 1 1/2 inches).
Step 2
Place round-nose pliers directly on the center mark of a 3-inch piece. Hold with wire with the pliers and use fingers to bend the wire ⅔ around the pliers jaw. Repeat on the other 3-inch wire.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 3
Use flat nose pliers to hold the loop just made and use a pin vise to twist each end of each looped wire.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 4
From the end of the loop, measure down each twisted wire to ž inch and mark. Use angle cutters to trim each twisted wire at this mark.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 5
Place round-nose pliers on one twisted end, grasp firmly and roll the pliers toward the center, forming a complete circle at the end of the twisted wire. Repeat on the opposite end as well as on both ends of the second twisted wire.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 6
On one 1-inch round wire, use the tips of fine-tipped chain-noses pliers to grasp the end and rollback toward the straight wire, forming a ‘P’ shaped loop. Repeat on one end of the other 1-inch round wire.
**(Please note that the size of these loops will depend on the size/weight of the chain chosen; as the chain will be inserted into these loops later, make the loops an appropriate size.)
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 7
Insert this looped round wire through the briolette so the loop is about 1mm away from the bead. Place the fine-tipped chain-nose pliers on the straight wire side, approximately ⅛ inch away from the hole. Roll the pliers/wire toward the bead, forming a complete loop.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 8
Place flat-nose pliers on the loop just created and roll the loop toward the bead until the distance away matches the other side.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 9
Use chain-nose pliers to open each of the loops just made and insert a ž-inch segment of chain into each, then close the loops.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 10
Return to the twisted wire components; use chain-nose pliers to open each loop, insert the opposite end of the chained briolette component into each and close.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 11
Place round-nose pliers on the twisted wire, immediately above the loop and roll the pliers in slightly, until the desired arch is made.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 12
Add your favorite ear wires.
Experiment! Add a headpin drop to the center loop under the ear wire; make the chain segments longer or shorter; add headpin drops to each of the twisted wire component loops with the chain segment, etc.
Dale Armstrong's Briolette Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,

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