Hello Handmade Jewelry Club readers! Remember this pair of earrings?
We posted this at the Fanpage last week. We we're hoping to get at least 50 likes and surprisingly we went overboard and got more than 50 likes :) A promise is a promise and so here is how to make the Crisscross Wired Earrings!
Step 1: Preparation
Cut 14 inches 21ga wire.
Step 2:
Using your round pliers, grip the wire at the center and make a loop by bringing each wire to the opposite side and wrapping onto the tip of the round nose pliers.
Step 3:
Cut another 14 inches 21ga wire and insert the wire into the loop with both ends of equal size. Position the wires like so and get ready to fold the wires.
Looking at the diagram follow the step how each wire is folded. This 1st diagram is showing step 3. The black line and circle is the wire with the loop you created on Step 2. The red line shows the wire you created on Step 3. Each side of the wire is numbered 1 - 4 so it is easier to name which side of the wire is folded.
Step 4: Weaving - folding the wires
Take #2 wire, bring it to your left and fold.
You can use your forefingers and thumb or you can use your flat nose pliers. Just consistently uses the same way of folding throughout the creation to ensure consistent weave is created.
Now your #2 is on your left and beside #1.
Take #1, bring it to your right and fold.
Now you have #1 & #2 folded in opposite directions.
Step 5:
Take #4, bring it up and fold.
Take #3, bring it down and fold.
Now you have all the wires folded in opposite directions.
Notice that as you fold the wire you create a knot/loop.
Step 6:
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 and keep folding the wires in opposite directions until you have 1 wire about 2 inches left and unfolded .
Step 7: Creating the stud
At the end of the earring, you have 4 wires left. Keep the longer wire and cut off the excess wire. Use your flat nose pliers to press these wires to form a nice loop. File it if you feel a sharp edge. Take the remaining wire and bend 90 degrees like so.
Step 8:
Take a mandrel and create a "U" shape. Ensure the stud is facing the direction of loop from the other end.
Bend the end of the stud wire slightly upward. File the end to ensure no sharp edge. You're done with 1 earring. Just place the stud wire into your earring hole and hook it to the loop to close it securely. Now repeat the whole process for the other side of the earring.
Happy with your new wire earrings? I'm sure you are...Cheers!
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