Aquamarine Briolette Iris Earrings
These delicate aquamarine iris flower earrings sparkle beautifully in the light and take very little time to make! This project includes enough wire to make several similar earrings.
Are you thinking of making these as a gift? Why not add a presentation box or gift bag to your order.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
1. Start by wire wrapping the briolettes. Use side cutters to cute your 0.3mm sterling silver wire to length. We recommend approx. 15-20cm for wire wrapping briolette beads.
2. Slip the briolette onto the wire around 3-4cm down. Ensure on side of the wire is longer than the other. Pinch both ends of wire together at the top of the briolette to form a triangle shape, making sure the briolette is central.
3. Hold both sides of the wire with round nose pliers and bend the longer length to a right angle. At this point, work half way up the plier nose to ensure you allow yourself enough room for a good wrap. If necessary, trim any excess wire on the short side with side cutters.
4. Use round nose pliers to form a loop with the longer side of the wire by bending it to a right angle and wrapping it around the tip of the pliers. Hod the loop flat between the tips of snipe nose pliers and take the long end of wire and use your fingers to tightly wrap it around the stem of the wire - begin at the base and work downwards.
5. Use snipe nose pliers to gently squeeze the coil together and continue to wrap upwards until you reach the top of the bead. Once you're happy wit the wrap, use side cutters to trim an excess wire and squeeze the end into the coil for a neat finish. (Click here for step by step instructions with photos of how to wire wrap a briolette.)
6. Using snipe or flat nose pliers, twist open a 3.5mm jump ring to attach your wire wrapped briolette to the open iris on the bottom of the earwire. Close the jump ring to secure.
7. Repeat previous step for the other earwire. Your earrings are complete.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS FOR THIS PROJECT
Side cutters - for cutting and trimming wire, head pins etc.
Round nose pliers - for bending loops in wire
You may like to get our pack of pliers & side cutters which is an economical way of buying all the pliers you will need for every project!
CUSTOMISE YOUR KIT
Make the design your own by using other briolette beads and earwires.
HELPFUL PAGES
How to wire wrap a briolette bead
JEWELLERY MAKING BOOKS
'The Encyclopedia of Wire Jewellery Techniques' by Sara Withers
'The Basics of Bead Stringing' by Debbie Kanan
'Beading Design' by Kim Glover
Kernowcraft's jewellery making kits are aimed to inspire you - therefore the step by step instructions are available online only with a shopping list, where you can easily customise the design to suit you. We recommend printing or bookmarking this page ready to follow.The suggested products used in this project are suggestions to inspire you. Products used were compatible at the time of making but do be aware that gemstones are natural and hand cut stocks can vary, so do use your own common sense as to the compatibility of each item when making.
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