Wrecking Ball Earrings

by Sonja Kiser

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

These earrings incorporate the use of the rosettes and wrapped loops. One rosette is used wrapped tightly to keep the bead on the wire. The other rosette is wrapped loosely just for decoration and balance of the earrings. The bead used is 12mm but other sizes could be used, or more could be added to the bead wire.

Special Instructions: To create a mirror-matching pair of earrings, make both earrings at the same time, repeating each step in reverse on the second earring.

Materials

22 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-22SQH

Lesson Quantity: 15.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $12.88
Gold Club Price: $9.66

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Bird's Eye Rhyolite 12mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand

A1-39

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.08
Gold Club Price: $6.06

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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 4mm - Pack of 20

K9-142

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $5.56
Gold Club Price: $4.17

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Sterling Silver Hook Earwire 21mm - Pack of 2

K19-86

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $1.51
Gold Club Price: $1.13

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Tools

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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4.5 Inch Needle Nose Ergonomic Mini Plier - Pack of 1

G2-151

G2-151
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.97
Gold Club Price: $5.23

Out of Stock

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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Double Ended Pin Vise

G5-4

G5-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

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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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Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together

G13-5

G13-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.97
Gold Club Price: $4.48

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Instructions

Step 1

Straighten, measure and then cut two pieces of 22-gauge wire each 5" long and two pieces each 2 1/2" long. On each 5" wire, measure 2" from one end and mark. At each mark, use round nose pliers to form a full circle; bending the wire completely around the pliers until it almost forms a U, with the circle on the inside of the bottom.

Sonja Kiser's Wrecking Ball Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, 22-gauge wire being formed by round nose pliers.

Step 2

Carefully remove the wire from the pliers. From the shorter end of the wire, measure and mark at 1". At this mark, bend the wire 90° away from the circle and use the 1" to make a wrapped loop.

Sonja Kiser's Wrecking Ball Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wrapped loop being made.

Step 3

Use flat nose pliers to hold the center circle and a pin vise to twist the longer, straight wire.

Sonja Kiser's Wrecking Ball Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Twisting the wire with flat nose pliers and pin vise.

Step 4

Check both earrings, making sure the long twisted wires are the same length, trim if necessary. From the bottom of the top loop on the long wire, measure down and mark at 1 1/4". Using chain nose pliers to begin and flat nose pliers to roll, start at the bottom of this wire and working away from the unit, loosely rosette the wire upward, stopping at the 1 1/4" mark.

Sonja Kiser's Wrecking Ball Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Measuring the long twisted wires.

Step 5

To make the bead drop component, use a 2 1/2" wire. From one end, measure and mark at 1". Begin to make a wrapped loop, but before closing the loop, slip it into the previously made wrapped loop on the first component. Then wrap this new loop closed.

Sonja Kiser's Wrecking Ball Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wrapped loop wire.

Step 6

Measure and mark 1/2" from the bottom of this new wire, and then slide a 4mm metal bead and a 12mm round bead onto this wire. At the 1/2" mark, make a 90° bend to lock the beads on. Rosette the wire end up, completing the earring. Attach the center circle 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.