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Maker's Monday: Citrine and Silver Earrings

I had a citrine chip memory wire bracelet in my Etsy store and sold it to a friend and she wanted matching earrings to go with it to give as a gift. With the recipient in mind, I came up with this sweet pair of earrings and decided to post the how-to for Maker's Monday! Can't find citrine chips? Substitute with a different crystal.

Supplies:
2 sterling silver headpins (2 inches long)
6 citrine chips
4 sterling silver beads (3mm)
2 sterling silver ear wires




Tools:
Jeweler's pliers (one or two pairs, depending on your preference)
Flush cutters

Instructions:
1.  Look through your chips/beads to get six that are similar sized/shaped. Slide on a silver bead, three chips, and another silver bead.
2. Make a 90 degree bend in the headpin. Repeat for the other headpin.

3.  Line up two headpins and cut them about 1/8 inch from the tip of the tail.

5.  Now you'll make your loops. Line the very end of a 90 degree bent headpin and bead up with the mark on your pliers. Make sure the mark is facing up and clamp the pliers around the end of the headpin—hold the rest of the wire tightly with your other hand.  Line the headpin up on that mark and make sure the pliers are at the very end of the headpin.  Hold the pliers tightly and "roll" them toward you to make a loop.  You will notice that you can only roll them so far before you have to stop.  Readjust your hands on the pliers and make sure the pliers are snug in the loop you've started.  Finish rolling the pliers toward you. Repeat for the other headpin.


  6.   Slightly open one of your ear wire loops by clasping it in the pliers with one hand and holding it firmly between your thumb and index finger of your other hand. Gently twist the pliers away from you and the loop should open. Add your looped headpin. 

 

7.  Close the loop of the ear wire by reversing the twisting motion of step 6. Repeat for the other ear wire.


I'll be adding a couple charms to the bracelet just to give the set a more personal touch.

Hope you enjoyed this little how-to. Did it inspire you to create your own crystal chip earrings?
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