In this mini tutorial you will learn step by step how to make a pair of stud earring from wire and a couple of beads. I recommend starting this project with copper wire, and as you become familiar with the technique you can begin working with sterling silver and gold wire. I always use dead soft wire for this project. Always take safety precautions by wearing protective eyewear.
Materials:
3 1/2″ – 4″ of 20 Gauge Wire
2 6mm Round Beads
Tools:
Wire Cutters
Flat Nose Pliers
Jeweler’s File
Step 1: Taking one length of your 20 gauge wire and your flat nose pliers and bend back 1″ of the wire at a 90 degree angle.
Step 2: Add your bead onto the longer length of wire, bringing it all the way to the bend. Then take the shorter length of wire and bend t all the way over the bead. Using your flat nose pliers, bend the wire back out starting at the middle of the bead. This will be your post.
Step 3: Holding the post between your thumb and index finger with the front of the bead showing, begin wrapping the wire around the outside of the bead. When you get where the wire first went through the hole, you want to continue wrapping over the front of that wire, then bring it back behind when you reach where you started wrapping.
Step 4: Your wire should be wrapped around the outside of the bead two times. Using your wire cutters, cut off an excess wire.
Step 5: Leaving a post length of 3/4″, use your wire cutters to remove any excess wire. File the end of your post smooth with your jeweler’s file.
Step 6: Now that your first stud is complete, all that’s left to do is repeat steps 1 through 5 to complete the other earring. Now you can experiment with different beads and gemstones and a variety of wire.
they look cute! as soon as my wrist gets better, I’ll try this tut, thanks for sharing
)
Great tutorial…thanks!
great tutorial! i’ve been looking around for a tutorial for this exact thing!
Love this….thank you!
Great tutorial! Thank you!
Very Helpful! Thank you!
What type of wire? Dead soft, half hard? Thanks
Nevermind! I should read first haha, I’m usually drawn in by pictures first
I tried the ring design and was pleasantly surprised that I could do it. Now I want to do more. Thanks for giving me the incentive.
You’re very welcome
Hi Heidi!
Thank you for this wonderful Tut! I’ve been wanting to offer these on my shop for a long time! Super easy to follow and very helpful! I was struggling on the start of these but your way is great! I was having issues with a way of hardening the wire before the bead is placed on ( the stud portion of the earring ). So the wire doesn’t bend especially when taking on and off the backing. I plan on having these done in my Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold Filled options. Thank again!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/lilmisskaties?ref=si_shop