Turquoise Chip Bead Earrings
This on trend earring design is really easy to make and needs only some pliers and side cutters for the wire work - a great project to practice basic wire wrapping skills! We have used our stunning Chinese turquoise chip beads which are a real favourite. If you like the design but fancy using an alternative gemstone, browse our huge collection of chip beads here.
Remember to ensure your wire size is appropriate for the beads you are using. In this project, we have used 0.3mm wire.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
1. Firstly, find the half way point in your chain and cut with side cutters.
2. Take one piece of the chain and find the half way point. Twist open a jump ring and thread through the middle link on the chain. Catch in the hoop on the ear wire and close the jump ring.
3. Next, take about 10cm of 0.3mm round wire. You may wish to harden the wire a little before use as it is quite fine and flexible. An easy way to do this is to hold either end of the wire with snipe or flat nose pliers and twist gently in opposite directions, you will notice after twisting a few times the wire will feel a little stiffer.
4. Now use round nose pliers to form a loop about 2cm down from one end. Thread one end of the chain into the loop and then create a tight neat coil with the wire by wrapping the shorter end around itself. For a detailed step by step instruction including clear photographs to help you learn the technique click here.
5. Next, start to thread the beads onto the wire. You can decide on the length of the bar that you want for your design, we have covered a length of 3cm with beads. You will have some spare beads that you could make into a complimentary necklace or bracelet (this project also has more wire than you need for just this earring design, so you will have some spare to create other designs with).
6. After threading on your turquoise beads, leave enough wire on the other end (about 2cm) to complete the earring by using the same wire wrapping technique to attach the wire onto the other side of the chain and wrap around the wire neatly to secure.
7. Repeat these steps to create the second earring.
Your earrings are now finished!
Tools You May Need
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
Helpful Pages
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.
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