Sky Twirls Earrings

by Sonja Kiser

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Wrapping
Skill Level: Advanced

A uniquely different earring design that is created by using a combination of round wire, rondelle beads and jump rings. The top of this earring has just a hint of chain maille to create interest. I specifically used stepped pliers to create the circles for this design; and of course, the bead and/or wire colors can be changed to alter the finished "look."

Special Instructions: If you make one earring according to the pattern while making another in its mirror image, you will create a matching pair.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-20D

Lesson Quantity: 14.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 25FT
Price: $84.70
Gold Club Price: $63.53

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10mm rondelle beads

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

6mm rondelle beads

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Gold Filled Bright Beads 3mm - Pack of 10

J9-322

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $3.02
Gold Club Price: $2.27

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4mm pearl beads

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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

K11-27

Lesson Quantity: 12.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Price: $2.08
Gold Club Price: $1.56

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Sterling Silver Earwire w/ 2.5mm Ball & Coil - Round Wire 25mm - Pack of 2

K19-38

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

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Silver Filled Headpins 24GA 2 inch - Pack of 10

S8-15

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.59
Gold Club Price: $1.19

Out of Stock

Silver Filled Jump Rings Open (.040) 18ga 5mm - Pack of 25

S11-15

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.00
Gold Club Price: $2.25

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Beads Bright 4mm - Pack of 20

K9-142

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.56
Gold Club Price: $4.17

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6mm daisy spacer beads silver

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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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

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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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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 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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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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Marker -extra fine

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Multi-Size Wrap 'N' Tap Pliers, Large Barrels

PLR-746.03

PLR-746.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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Instructions

Step 1

Using the 20-gauge round wire, straighten, measure, and then cut two pieces each 7 inches in length. Measure and mark the center of each wire. Place the center of one wire at the largest step on the Wrap & Tap pliers.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Marking 20-gauge round wire.

Step 2

Bend both wire ends completely around and halfway back again. Remove the wire from the pliers, making note of which wire is on top, as it was bent around.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Bending the 20-gauge round wire.

Step 3

Place second wire on step pliers; and repeat Step 2 with the opposite wire on top. This will create a matched pair. Remove from pliers.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Repeating step 2 with the 20-gauge round wire.

Step 4

Slide beads on the front wire (the one on top of the stack) in this order: 4mm round, 6mm rondelle, 6mm daisy spacer, 10mm rondelle, 6mm daisy spacer, 6mm rondelle, 4mm bead. (If the holes of the beads are too small, the beads will not slide on the curved wire.)

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding beads to the 20-gauge round wire loops we've made.

Step 5

Pull the ends of the wires to top center, and trim so they are the same length.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Trimming the ends of the wire.

Step 6

Using round nose pliers, on each earring and in opposite directions, make an outward loop at the end of each wire as shown.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Making outward loop with round nose pliers.

Step 7

Using flat and chain nose pliers, open two 4mm jump rings. Using your hand, press the two loops made on the unit, together. Insert one 4mm jump ring through these loops and close it firmly.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Using flat and chain nose pliers, open two 4mm jump rings.

Step 8

Add the second jump ring and close. (Check to make sure the top wire is still on the top after the jump rings have been closed.)

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding second jump ring.

Step 9

Close another 4mm jump ring. Insert a different 4mm jump ring through the closed one.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Closing a jump ring.

Step 10

Now put the open 4mm jump ring through the loops of the unit, between the two previous jump rings.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Opening 4mm jump ring.

Step 11

Open two 5mm jump rings. Now the 4mm jump rings on the outside of the unit need to be pushed downward. Insert one of the 5mm jump rings into the two downward 4mm jump rings on the front and close. Repeat on the back side with the other 5mm jump ring and close.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding more jump rings.

Step 12

Open two 4mm jump rings. Push the two previous 5mm jump rings downward, insert one of the 4mm jump rings into the 5mm jump rings and close. Repeat with the other 4mm jump ring. Set the unit aside.

Step 13

Prepare the headpin charm by using a 24-gauge 2" headpin. Slide a 4mm bead and a 3mm bead on the headpin. Immediately after the last bead, begin a wrapped loop. Make the loop wide enough to be able to fit the last two jump rings into. Put the loop onto the two jump rings and finish wrapping the loop closed. Trim and tuck.

Pro Tip: This component should have some movement.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding headpin charm.

Step 14

Attach an ear wire to the top jump ring. Finish the second earring.

Sonja Kiser's Sky Twirls Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Attach an ear wire to the top jump ring.

Reviews

Sonja Kiser

While on a business trip with her husband, Sonja discovered an article written by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong in Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine. The article intrigued her so much that she contacted Dale and began taking classes at 'Cougars Creations' studio.

Sonja has a Master's Degree in Studio Art and presently teaches art at the middle school level. She has previously exhibited and worked in a variety of art media including watercolor, pencil, and photography. Before venturing into the world of wire, she had previously exhibited and sold jewelry made from wood and oven baked clay. Sonja now admits that making and creating her own wire jewelry designs is her favorite artistic endeavor, as she loves taking an idea or inspiration and forming it into a piece of wearable art. She credits her love of creating wire jewelry to the teaching and encouragement from Dale.

Sonja has recently published her first wire jewelry pattern in Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry, and also has a design featured in Dale's new Book "Wirework." Sonja resides in eastern Kentucky with her husband and their son.