Wire Wrapped Peridot Briolette Earrings
These beautiful peridot faceted teardrop briolette beads look beautiful hung off earwires. This project uses basic wire wrapping techniques for a simple yet effective design.
There are enough components to make 5 pairs of earrings - perfect for making gifts! Or why not wire wrap the extra briolettes you receive and make a matching necklace or a bracelet - just add a pretty chain of your choice.
For a solid gold version, swap plated wire and earwires for 0.3mm 9ct gold wire (you will need approx. 20cm for a pair of earrings) and 9ct gold earwires.
Please note that the earwires featured are slightly different to those listed in the shopping list.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Start by wire wrapping the briolette bead. Use side cutters to cut your wire to length - we recommend a length of wire approx 10cm for wire wrapping small briolettes.
Slip the briolette onto the wire around 3-4cm down. Ensure one 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.
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 access wire on the short side with side cutters.
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. Hold 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 wires - begin at the base and work downwards.
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 with the wrap, use side cutters to trim 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.
Using snipe nose pliers, twist open the loop of the earwire and attach the loop of the briolette bead before closing.
Repeat the process for the second earring. Your design is now complete!
SUGGESTED TOOLS FOR THIS PROJECT
Snipe nose pliers or flat nose pliers
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 your favourite jewellery supplies
HELPFUL PAGES
How to wire wrap a briolette bead
Read our wire wrapping advice pages with tutorials
JEWELLERY MAKING BOOKS
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.
Your Shopping List
You can buy all the products in this collection at once by clicking the button below or add individual products by clicking the button beside each one.
