Delicate Jasmine Earrings

by Abby Hook

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Twisting
Skill Level: Beginner

This delicate, feminine design is reminiscent of the buds of May, but could be done in holiday hues as well. The organic nature of the structure makes it very versatile for different kinds of jewellery and works particularly well for earrings as it is so lightweight.

The earrings have a drop of 1 1/2" including the earwire and are 1/2" wide.

Materials

28 Gauge Round Dead Soft 14/20 Gold Filled Wire

H4-28D

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $6.97
Gold Club Price: $5.23

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Onyx 4mm Rondelle Faceted Beads - 8 Inch Strand

A1-322

Lesson Quantity: 18.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.80
Gold Club Price: $12.60

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teardrop briolettes 6mm x 3mm

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each

Gold Filled Hook Earwire Glitter 19.5mm - Pack of 10

J19-69

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.86
Gold Club Price: $10.40

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Tools

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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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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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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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

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Instructions

Step 1:

Prepare the wire

Cut a 12" length of 28-gauge wire. Straighten it using either your fingers of the nylon-jaw pliers. Measure the center and loosely fold in half.

Step 2:

Add beads

Thread 5 x 3mm rondelle beads onto the wire and pass down to the loop.

Cross the wires over themselves, forming a small circle for the flower shape in the beads.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Add beads, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , thread on 5 beads

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Add beads, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , cross the wires

Step 3:

Secure the flower

Carefully twist the wire, by grasping the beads between your thumb and forefinger and turning, while holding the straight wires in position in your other hand.

Take care not to over twist, as this will cause the wire to snap. Twist just enough to hold the flower firmly, approx. 3 - 4 times.

Pro Tip: To make a matched pair of earrings, work both earrings at the same time, so that you can ensure that they are a mirror image.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Secure the flower, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , twist the wires

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Secure the flower, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , twist the wires together

Step 4:

Secure the stem

To space each 'bud' and flower evenly, we use coiling to stop all of the beads bunching up and sitting on top of each other.

Coil one wire around the other 3 times

Pro Tip: To keep the coils neat, guide each pass of the wire into place with your thumb nail, while holding the straight wire taught in the other hand.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Secure the stem, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , coil one wire arounc the other

Step 5:

Form a bud

Thread one 3mm rondelle bead onto the wire that you just used to coil. Leave a gap of about 3 - 4mm on the wire and cross it over itself.

Carefully twist, until the wire becomes stiff and the bead is held in position, approx. 4 - 5 times.
Take care not to over twist.

Coil 3 times again.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Form a bud, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , string on one bead

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Form a bud, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , twist the wire

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Form a bud, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , coil the wire

Step 6:

Form a second bud

Repeat step 5 to create a second bud on the opposite side. Notice how the central core is forming a zig zag pattern.

Step 7:

Add a briolette

Thread a briolette onto the wire. Carefully bend the wire against the stone and cross it at the point of the stone.

Twist the wires together approx. 5 times.

Coil 3 times.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Add a briolette, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , add a briolette bead

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Add a briolette, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , twist the wires together

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Add a briolette, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , coil the wire

Step 8:

Complete the buds

Follow step 5 again to create 2 more buds.

Step 9:

Form a loop

Now the intricate detail is complete for the earring, we need to form a loop to attach the ear wire to.

Twist the 2 wires together for ¾".

Measure ¼" from the last bead and bend the twisted wire up by 45 degrees.

Form a loop with the round-nose pliers.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Form a loop, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , twist the wires together

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Form a loop, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , form a loop

Step 10:

Close the loop

Coil the two straight wires around the twisted wire stem, until you reach the first bud.

Trim the wires as close to the stem as possible and tuck the ends in, using the chain-nose pliers.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Close the loop, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , form a wrapped loop

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Close the loop, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , trim any extra wire

Step 11:

Final step

Attach the ear wire, by opening the loop on the ear wire by lifting the loop rather than pulling apart, which weakens the metal.

Attach the earring and close the loop.

Abby Hook's Delicate Jasmine Earrings - Final step, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, , wire earrings

Reviews

Abby Hook

In 2009 I decided to pursue a dream I had harboured for many years, to start my own jewellery business! So that is exactly what I did. I love what I do, it is not just a job to me - it my passion and obsession! Born and raised in North London, I grew up surrounded by artistic people. Living in a very close community with a diverse mix of characters, I was able to try my hand at a whole array of crafts, from sewing to polymer clay modelling. I come from a long line of artists, my Great, Great Grandfather was Frank Paton, well known for his realistic portrayal of both wild and domestic animals using oil paints, but he is probably more fondly remembered for his pencil etchings. Many other family members have continued the tradition of painting and drawing. Although I enjoyed drawing, I wasn't particularly good at it. Imagine my delight when I discovered the possibility of bringing things to life with wire! I am the Author of Wire Jewellery Masterclass. The idea for writing this book seemed to me like a natural progression from the writing of individual tutorials. It allows me to place the various skill levels in order, offering a starting platform for the complete novice, through to the more advanced levels, as well as giving ideas for more experienced wireworkers to develop their existing abilities