How to Make Basic Wire Earrings

Using good quality wire, you can construct your own earring wires.

Steps:

1. Cut two 2 1/2-inch long pieces of 26-gauge wire.

2. Make a loop on one end of each wire with round nose pliers by clamping the wire end in the pliers and twisting to form a loop. As much as feasible, the loop should be closed. The bead will then glide up and cover the wire’s end in the next step.

3. Thread a small bead onto the wire and slide it up to the loop and over the wire’s end. This will conceal the wire’s severed end.

4. To keep the bead in place, make a coil to slide next to it. Wrap a short piece of 28-gauge wire four times around a piece of 26-gauge wire to make the coil; slip the coil off the wire and onto the earring wire up to the bead.

5. Bend the earring wire upward from the coil with pliers.

6. To form the hook part, wrap the earring wire around a dowel rod or a thick ink pen.

7. Smooth the end of the wire that will go into your ear with a burr cup. To use a burr cup, insert the wire’s end into the cup and twirl until it is smooth.

Tips:

To produce wire jewelry, you can buy jigs or make your own (see “eHow to Make Curly Wire Napkin Rings”). Jigs allow you to manufacture the same design again and over again, giving your necklace and earrings a consistent look.

When constructing your new wires, use an old French wire earring as a guide.

To hang the earring, use a bead on wire set or twist a piece of wire into a colorful shape.

Warnings:

Make your earring wires out of hypoallergenic wire, surgical steel, gold, or silver wire.

When cutting or trimming wire, wear safety glasses.