Maker's Monday: Gold and Denim Blue Earrings

 Another Maker's Monday, another pair of earrings! I'm using gold-filled findings this time and some lovely Swarovski rondelle crystals in Denim Blue. Variations on this basic jewelry project are endless! I linked to where I purchased my supplies but you can buy them elsewhere. 

A dainty pair of earrings

A note about gold findings:
When I first started making jewelry, I didn't want to use gold because it was expensive and the findings I could get locally were gold-plated and just looked cheap. Gold-filled findings have more gold in them as compared to gold-plated so they should wear longer, be less prone to tarnishing, and the gold won't "flake off." A brief explanation can be found in this Artbeads.com article. 

Supplies:
2 gold-filled headpins (2 inches long)
2 8x6 mm Swarovski rondelle crystals in Denim Blue
4 gold-filled saucer beads
2 gold-filled ear wires

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

Instructions:
1.  Slide a gold-filled saucer bead onto a headpin and follow it with a Swarovski and then another golf-filled saucer bead. 

2.  With the tips of your pliers, make a 90 degree bend in the headpin just above the last saucer bead. Repeat for the other headpin.

3.  Line up two headpins and cut them so they are just under 1/2 an inch long.

4.  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 two headpins.

  6.   Now you'll add your looped headpins to your ear wires. 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. 

 

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

I hope you like this earring style!