Fuchsia Bud Earrings

by Abby Hook

Category: Weaving
Technique(s): Weaving
Skill Level: Intermediate

In this tutorial you will learn to make these beautiful woven earrings. The weaving sweeps its way around the oval barrel bead and swirls to a finish at the bottom to resemble a fuchsia bud. You will use three methods of weaving, making this a great project to practice or learn new weaving skills. There are many variations possible with this design, including adding beads and charms align the weave to create a whimsical effect.

There is also a variation where the earrings have been embellished with leaf charms and beads for a more 3 dimensional effect.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-20D

Lesson Quantity: 28.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $16.94
Gold Club Price: $12.71

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32 gauge round sterling wire

Lesson Quantity: 136.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

4mm round silver beads

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 4.00 each

Sterling Silver Earwires Semi-Circle 23.5mm w/ 3mm Bead - Pack of 2

K19-64

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.72
Gold Club Price: $2.04

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oval sterling jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each

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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

G15-20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Instructions

Step 1

Cut a piece of 20-gauge wire 8" long.

Abby Hook's Fuchsia Bud Earrings - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, fuchsia bud earrings

Step 2

Using the round-nose pliers, hold the wire in the centrer, bring each end of the wire tightly around the end of the pliers, forming a small loop.

Step 3

Holding the loop with the chain-nose pliers, grasp one straight wire with the flat-nose pliers at the point where the wires cross, bend 90 degrees

Step 4

Again holding the loop with the chain-nose pliers, bend the other wire 90 degrees so that the 2 wires sit parallel.

Pro Tip: Give the loop a squeeze with the flat-nose pliers to flatten.

Step 5

Cut a piece of 32-gauge wire 23" long. Attach it to the thick wire by coiling 3 times (leaving a 1" tail to hold onto) to one of the wires just past the loop.
Notice how the thick wires spread as you push the thin wire down to the loop with your nail.

Step 6

Bring the thin wire over the first thick wire and under the second.

Step 7

Bring the thin wire over the second thick wire and under the first.

Step 8

Continue weaving over and under. Every 4 - 6 turns push the weave towards the loop by sliding your thumb nail along the thick wire.

Pro Tip: You may find it easier to hold the loop with your pliers for this first bit.

Step 9

Continue weaving until you have woven ¼" longer than your bead (approx ¾" - 1").

Step 10

Coil one of the thick wires 8 times to secure the thin wire. Trim the thin wire and its tail. Tuck the ends in with the long nose pliers.

Step 11

Hold the woven wire against the left hand side of the bead, so that the center of the bead is level with the center of the woven wire and gently bend to the contours of the bead.

Step 12

Hold the loop with the flat-nose pliers and bend the loop 90 degrees inwards to the curve of the wire.
Set aside.

Step 13

Cut a piece of 20-gauge wire 6" long. Using the round nose-pliers make a semi circle loop in one end.

Step 14

Using the flat-nose pliers, squeeze the loop together to close it.

Step 15

Add a 4mm silver bead, the loop on the woven wire and a barrel bead.

Step 16

Pull the 2 thick wires from the woven section (one each side of the central wire) round over the top of the bead.

Step 17

Hold the thick straight wire 1/10" from the top of the shaped thick wires, bend 45 degrees.

Step 18

Hold the thick wire at the bend with the round-nose pliers and form a loop by bringing the thick wire round the top of the pliers.

Step 19

Holding the loop with the flat-nose pliers, coil the thick wire around itself 3 times.
Be careful not to kink or bend the thick wires.

Step 20

Pull the middle wire down against the bead, between the two woven wires.

Step 21

Cut a piece of 32-gauge wire 50" long. Attach it to the outer thick wire that you did not coil earlier. Coil 8 times, leaving a 1" tail.

Step 22

Push the coils up to the weaving with your nail.

Step 23

Bring the thin wire over the first thick wire, under the middle one and over the outer wire.

Step 24

Coil the outer wire once.

Step 25

Bring the thin wire under the outer thick wire, over the middle one and under the next outer wire. Be careful that the central wire does not move out of line.

Step 26

Coil the outer wire once.

Step 27

Follow steps 23 - 26, pushing the weave together with your nail and keeping the thick wires close to the bead. Notice how the central wire is now held in place.

Step 28

Continue weaving until you are just past the middle of the bead.

Step 29

Gently pull the outer thick wire outwards and the inner one inwards to the silver bead, whilst holding the weaving in place.

Step 30

Continue weaving, but this time only coil the outer thick wire. So bring the thin wire over the outer thick wire, under the middle one and over the inner thick wire.

Step 31

Bring the thin wire under the inner thick wire, over the middle one and under the outer wire.

Step 32

Coil the thick wire once and push the weave up with your nail. Make sure that the thick wires stay in shape.

Step 33

Follow steps 30 - 32 until the weave on the inner wire is level with the top of the silver bead. Notice how the weave is beginning to slope.

Step 34

Continue weaving, but this time miss out the middle thick wire. So take the thin wire under the inside thick wire and the middle wire and over the outer one.

Step 35

Coil the outer thick wire once.

Step 36

Bring the thin wire under the outer thick wire and the middle wire and over the inner one.

Step 37

Follow steps 34 - 36 until the weave on the inner thick wire reaches the bottom of the loop. Notice how the centre wire is exposed.

Step 38

Thread the thin wire through the loop and round the thick wire 4 or 5 times.

Step 39

Coil the thin wire around the thick wire 5 times to secure.

Step 40

Trim the thin wire and its tail and tuck the ends in with the long nose pliers.

Step 41

Cut the outer thick wires to ½" from the weave.

Step 42

Make 2 semi circle loops in the ends of the 2 outer wires using the round-nose pliers.

Step 43

Pinch the loops together to close them using the flat nose pliers.

Step 44

Holding the loop with the flat nose pliers, gently form a spiral by working the wire round.

Step 45

Cut the central thick wire ½" from where it is exposed in the weave.

Step 46

Add a 4mm silver bead and form a semi circle loop inwards with the round-nose pliers.

Step 47

Pinch the loop together with the flat-nose pliers to close. Gently curve the thick wire inwards slightly.
Set aside.

Step 48

Make the second earring by following steps 1 - 47 but make the weaving in the opposite direction. That is in step 11 shape the woven wire to the right hand side of the bead.

And bend the wires to the left.

Step 49

Continue following the instructions until you have completed the second earring.

Step 50

Open a jump ring, add the earring and ear wire. Close the jump ring.

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