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Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. With a lot of motion, these sturdy earrings have a delicate appearance and are fun to wear.
Lucky Chandelier Earrings
by Dale Armstrong
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
With a lot of motion, these sturdy earrings have a delicate appearance and are fun to wear. You can make them as shown, (graduated in size from the top down, small to large), or reverse the order. Seemingly simple to make, they are based on the Horseshoe Link. They can be a bit tricky to connect; be sure to follow all of the directions carefully. Explore variations, by using your own favorite combinations of beads and/or crystals, for a new addition to your line!
Special Instructions: Hint: To make earrings that match perfectly, make them both at the same time, mirroring each step from one to the other.

Materials

21 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-21SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 16.50 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 25FT
  • Price: $69.50
  • Gold Club Price: $52.13
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7x5mm Natural Multi-Color Freshwater Rice Pearls - 16 Inch Strand
A8-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 12.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.70
  • Gold Club Price: $8.78
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Silver Filled Headpins 22GA 1.5 inch - Pack of 10
S8-11
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $2.52
  • Gold Club Price: $1.89
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Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.040) 18ga. (OD) 6mm Heavy (ID) 4.2mm - Pack of 10
K11-33
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $4.92
  • Gold Club Price: $3.69
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Tools

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
Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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Instructions
Step 1
For each earring, straighten, clean and cut 8 1/4" of 21-gauge square half hard wire. Use a pin vise or wire twister and twist each piece. Trim 1/4" off each end of both wires, leaving you with two 8" pieces of twisted wire. Cut each 8" piece of wire into the following lengths: 2 1/4", 2 3/4", and 3". Mark the center of each new length of wire.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 2
Place the center mark of the 2 1/4" wire at size 1 on a ring mandrel and push evenly on both sides of the wire, simultaneously, until the wire forms a horseshoe U shape, or an open teardrop. Repeat with the 2 3/4" piece on size 2, and the 3" piece on size 3.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 3
To make the "open eye" connection hoops on each horseshoe: with the U shape facing you, place your round nose pliers at the very tip of a wires' end, grasp firmly, and in one smooth motion roll the wire toward the back of the shape, away from you. Loosen your pliers' grip on the wire, but do not remove the pliers.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 4
Roll your pliers around the loop you just made until they are in the front, and where they just hit the wire in front, tighten your grip and bend the wire slightly toward you, forming an "open eye." Repeat on both ends of every U shape. (Remember that you are making eyes to go around another 21-gauge wire, leaving room for "swing.")
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 5
To shape your U into an open teardrop that will swing properly, use flat nose pliers to gently bend each open eye straight up. Finish by grasping both open eye ends of each U together with flat nose pliers.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 6
Make each charm by using a 22-gauge 1 1/2" headpin and the following sequence, with the first item listed being the first put on the headpin:
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 7
- For Pearl Design:
Top charm: pearl;
Middle charm: two pearls;
Bottom charm: pearl, corrugated saucer, two pearls.
- For Crystal Design:
Top charm: 7 x 6mm teardrop, 2mm metal bead;
Middle charm: 10 x 8mm teardrop, 2mm metal bead, 4mm round bead;
Bottom charm: 10 x 8mm teardrop, 2mm metal bead, 4mm round, 2mm metal bead, 4mm round.
Step 8
After adding the beads or pearls, place the chain nose pliers just above the last bead and bend the headpin over the edge of the pliers at a 90° angle, locking on the beads and proceed to make a wrapped loop.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 9
Assembly
Lay all components out in order. Start with the middle U. Use chain nose pliers to slightly open the eyes, bending the ends toward either side of the U. Slip on the bottom, longest charm, and set this piece aside.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 10
Take the bottom, largest U and open the eyes slightly. Gently squeeze the U together with your fingers, and hook it over the bottom of the middle U, and on either side of the charm. Close the eyes, making sure not to squeeze them tight, so the U will swing.
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 11
Slide the top, shortest charm onto the 7mm jump ring. Open the eyes of the smallest U, slip on the middle charm, and then hook this smallest U onto the jump ring, on either side of the charm, and close the eyes. Now, hook the eyes of the middle U onto the top U, and on either side of the middle charm. Finish by attaching ear wires to the jump ring, and enjoy!
Dale Armstrong's Lucky Chandelier Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,

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