Sonja Kiser's Love Drop Earrings | Contemporary Wire Jewelry

Love Drop Earrings

by Sonja Kiser

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Wrapping
Skill Level: Beginner

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I took out several of my heart shaped beads to see what designs I could create for that special day. I had purchased several of these crystal heart beads, drilled from front to back. (Not realizing at that time, just how difficult it would be to make use of these beads.) My goal then became to create a design, using these beads. This "Love Drops" earring pattern is the culmination of this effort. I hope you enjoy making this design as much as I enjoyed creating it. Feel free to use your own imagination to alter the pattern, by changing the colors, sizes and/or styles of the beads.

Materials

22 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-22SQH

Lesson Quantity: 13.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $11.12
Gold Club Price: $8.34

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Crystal Hearts, 10mm drilled from front to back

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2mm - Pack of 25

K9-139

Lesson Quantity: 6.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $2.32
Gold Club Price: $1.74

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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2.5mm - Pack of 25

K9-138

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $2.32
Gold Club Price: $1.74

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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 3mm - Pack of 25

K9-140

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $3.34
Gold Club Price: $2.51

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4mm Garnet 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 12

A13-82C

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.57
Gold Club Price: $2.68

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Sterling Silver Bead Heart 5mm - Pack of 1

K9-124

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Price: $2.04
Gold Club Price: $1.53

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Tools

3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)

G5-15

G5-15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $42.97
Gold Club Price: $32.23

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Chain Nose Wire Plier

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Flat Nose Wire Plier

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Round Nose Wire Plier

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler

G7-30

G7-30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.97
Gold Club Price: $2.23

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Marker -extra fine

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Instructions

Step 1

Use the 22-gauge wire to straighten, clean and then cut one 12 ½" piece. Twist the entire length and then cut it in half, making two 6" pieces. Mark both wires at their center. One wire at a time, place the center mark on the largest part of the round nose pliers. Bend the wire around the pliers, creating a U shape. Repeat procedure on the other wire.

Sonja Kiser's Love Drop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,

Step 2

Thread a 10 mm crystal heart bead onto each U shaped wire.

Step 3

Mark both wires of each component, at 1 ¼" above the heart bead.

Step 4

On one component, add the beads in the following order: three 2mm silver, two 3mm silver, two 3mm silver, and one 3mm crystal. On the opposite wire of the same component, put one 3mm silver. Repeat on the second component.

Step 5

Bend front wire (the one with the most beads) at the 1 ¼" mark, to the right, making a 90° angle. Bend same wire on the second component to the left.

Step 6

Using the corner of each angle just created, begin a wrapped loop (turning the round nose pliers to keyhole the loop).

Step 7

Finish the wrapped loop by using the opposite wire to make the binding. Wrap 3 times and end with the wrap wire extended to the front. Trim this extended wire to 1/2", rosette and place it over the binding just made. Repeat same procedure on second component, in the opposite direction.

Step 8

While holding the wraps with flat nose pliers, use your fingers to pull the center wire out and to the right, creating a 90 degree angle. Repeat using the second component pulling the wire to the left instead of the right.
Trim each of these center wires to 1". Using the round nose pliers (about midway from the point) curve each extended wire around and into the inside, and out of the opposite side, of the component. Repeat on second component going in the opposite direction from the first component.

Step 9

On each earring, from the end of each extended wire, measure 3/8" up and mark. Using flat-nose pliers at this mark, bend each wire downward, forming a 90° angle.

Step 10

Put a small, vertically drilled, sterling silver heart bead onto this wire, making a small loop at the bottom of the bead to hold it in place. Repeat same procedure on the second component.

Step 11

If needed, use flat nose pliers to reposition the wire so the silver heart bead is turned toward the inside of the component. Repeat on the second component if necessary. Attach ear wires.

Reviews

Sonja Kiser

While on a business trip with her husband, Sonja discovered an article written by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong in Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine. The article intrigued her so much that she contacted Dale and began taking classes at 'Cougars Creations' studio.

Sonja has a Master's Degree in Studio Art and presently teaches art at the middle school level. She has previously exhibited and worked in a variety of art media including watercolor, pencil, and photography. Before venturing into the world of wire, she had previously exhibited and sold jewelry made from wood and oven baked clay. Sonja now admits that making and creating her own wire jewelry designs is her favorite artistic endeavor, as she loves taking an idea or inspiration and forming it into a piece of wearable art. She credits her love of creating wire jewelry to the teaching and encouragement from Dale.

Sonja has recently published her first wire jewelry pattern in Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry, and also has a design featured in Dale's new Book "Wirework." Sonja resides in eastern Kentucky with her husband and their son.