Cone and Chain Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): General Education
Skill Level: Beginner

Short pieces of thin chain pulled into cone findings make earrings with an eclectic look. Change the style of cone, the earring finding, and style of chain for a whole different look. This is an earring style that can be repeated many different times with no two styles ever being alike.

Materials

Sterling Silver Bead Cone 12x4mm - Pack of 1

K9-119

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $3.94
Gold Club Price: $2.96

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Sterling Silver Bead Cone 6.5x3.5mm - Pack of 1

K9-120

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.06
Gold Club Price: $1.55

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Sterling Silver Chain Cable Knurled 2.6mm - 10 Feet

C8-101U

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $54.60
Gold Club Price: $40.95

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Charm Flat Oval 9x6mm - Pack of 1

K1-31

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 4.00 each
Price: $2.31
Gold Club Price: $1.73

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Sterling Silver Name Tag w/ Ring Oval 5.5x10mm - Pack of 2

C8-116T

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $2.26
Gold Club Price: $1.70

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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2mm - Pack of 25

K9-139

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.32
Gold Club Price: $1.74

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Beads Bright 3mm - Pack of 25

K9-140

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.70
Gold Club Price: $2.78

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Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.030) 20ga. (OD) 4mm (ID) 2.53mm - Pack of 10

K11-27

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.08
Gold Club Price: $1.56

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Tools

WireJewelry - Essentials Jewelry Pliers Set with Case, Set of 5

G15-21

G15-21
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $124.95
Gold Club Price: $93.71

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

22 gauge wire was used to make a hook that fits both the cones available on wirejewlery.com. The size wire can be larger if the top hole of the cone will accommodate two wires side by side, or smaller if the top hole in the cone will not fit two wires. The length to cut the wire depends upon what will be done with the wire above the cone. If decorative beads will be added to the wire above the cone, it should be cut longer. A longer wire could also be made into an integrated earring finding so one does not need to be added.

At one end of a 3" to 4" piece of wire, make a sharp bend ½" from the wire end. Pull the wire and hook through the cone. If needed, make the bend a little sharper so the hook end is a bit inside the cone. Remove the hook from the cone.

Judy Larson's Cone and Chain Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , cone and chain earrings

Step 2

How many chains to thread on the hook depends on the interior diameter of the cone. Three chains used here are all that will fit inside the smaller of the two cones listed above.

Once the number of chains is determined, thread the wire hook back through the cone, pulling tightly to secure the chains and hook inside the cone. Don't worry about making a wire wrapped loop to secure the chains before threading them into the cone. The wire wrapping will not fit inside the cone but the chains will be very secure on the hook without it.

Step 3

Trim off the wire hook tail as close to the top of the cone as possible.

Step 4

Optional: Thread a silver bead that compliments the cone on the wire.

Step 5

Start a wire wrapped loop. Decide on which earring finding best fits the design. Here, an inverted teardrop shield lever back was chosen because it carried through the shape of the cone. Because it has a closed loop, it had to be threaded on the earring loop before the wrap was completed.

Step 6

If dangles are desired, it is best to attach them in odd numbers at different heights using jump rings that blend in size with the chain. Attach a dangle to the longest chain. The bottom of the next attached dangle should be across from the top of the first dangle. The third dangle is placed between the two.

Step 7

Cones do not have to be used to corral chains, but they are a nice touch. A jump ring works just as well to connect a few chains to earring findings.

Step 8

Chains of different lengths, sizes, and designs add interest to any design.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!