Spiral Chain Drop Earrings

by Sonja Kiser

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

Sometimes when I am working on a particular design, another idea comes to mind. That is how this design came to be. While I was working on the Merry-Go-Round earring design, the idea to use a chain and a teardrop bead seemed like a possibility. After adding a few more steps and doing some things a little differently, "Spiral Chain Drop" earrings are now a reality. Feel free to explore different variations by using various chain designs as well as different bead shapes and sizes. (Within this pattern, I have also included instructions for making the earrings a bit shorter.)

Special Instructions: Make both earrings at the same time, working one step on one earring, and then the same step on the other.

Materials

22 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-22SQH

Lesson Quantity: 25.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $12.88
Gold Club Price: $9.66

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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2.5mm - Pack of 25

K9-138

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $2.38
Gold Club Price: $1.79

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4mm Crystal Aurore Boreale 5328 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10

A13-94A

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.67
Gold Club Price: $1.25

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2mm - Pack of 25

K9-139

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $2.32
Gold Club Price: $1.74

Out of Stock

Blue Tiger Eye 10x14mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand

A1-95

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $8.95
Gold Club Price: $6.71

Out of Stock

Silver Filled Oval Cable Chain 2.85x2.15mm - 10 Feet

C10-325U

Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $28.20
Gold Club Price: $21.15

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Silver Filled Headpins 24GA 2 inch - Pack of 10

S8-15

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

Out of Stock

Silver Filled Earwire w/ 2mm Ball 18mm - Pack of 10

S19-22

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $3.48
Gold Club Price: $2.61

Out of Stock

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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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3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)

G5-15

G5-15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $42.97
Gold Club Price: $32.23

Out of Stock

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

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Instructions

Step 1

Using 22-gauge square half hard wire, straighten, clean, and cut one 25" piece. Twist this wire using an automatic wire twister. So that the twists are consistent, cut the 25" wire in half, and then cut 1/2" from the end that was in the twister and 1/2" from the end that was in the pliers or vise. Each twisted wire should now be 12" long. Cut 2 pieces of chain, each 2 1/2" long (or 1 1/2" long if you want your earrings to be shorter.)

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Twisting 22-gauge square half hard wire.

Step 2

Mark 1 1/2" from one end of each wire. Use flat nose pliers to make a 90° bend at each mark.

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, 90 degree turn made using flat nose pliers.

Step 3

At each bend, use round nose pliers to begin a wrapped loop.

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Step 4

After making just the loop, slide the end link of one piece of chain into the loop.

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Step 5

Finish wrapping the loop in, trim wire, and tuck in the end.

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Step 6

Mark 1/4" above bottom of each wrapped loop. Using flat nose pliers, make a 90° bend at the 1/4" mark. Make a wrapped loop, then do not cut this twisted wire. Leave it extended to the side.

Pro Tip: It may be easier to complete the wraps using your hands instead of the pliers.

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Using Flat nose pliers to bend angle and make more wrapped loops.

Step 7

On each 2-inch head pin, put a 2.5mm sterling silver round bead, a 4mm crystal AB bi-cone bead, a 14mm teardrop bead, and a 2mm sterling silver round bead.

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding beads.

Step 8

After the last bead, begin a wrapped loop to connect the headpin to the bottom of the chain. Remember to place the last link of the chain into the loop and then complete the wrap.

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Step 9

Using the long extended wire, beginning at the bottom, wind the wire tightly around a round pencil, forming a spiral. Carefully slide the pencil out of the wire.

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Forming spiral with wire.

Step 10

Use chain nose pliers to grasp the end of the spiral, and gently pull downward. Pull until the bottom of the spiral is below the bead. When you let go of the spiral, it should spring upward and be about even with the top of the bead.

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Chain nose pliers working on spiral.

Step 11

Use chain nose pliers to make a tiny loop at the end of the spiraled wire. Now gently work the chain (with the bead) to the inside of the spiraled wire. Curve the end of the spiraled wire, creating a circle containing the chain with the bead inside the spirals.

Sonja Kiser's Spiral Chain Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Chain nose pliers making loops in spiraled wire.

Step 12

Attach each component to an ear wire.

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.