EARRINGS
By Linda Jones (www.wirejewellery.co.uk)
Materials: 2 x natural chip M.O.P. shell beads, 0.8mm silver-plated wire, 2 x fish hook ear wires.
Tools: Round and chain nosed pliers, wire cutters.
(materials can be found here)
1. Using 0.8mm wire, follow the ‘Pearly Mum’ Necklace project steps 1-3 to create the links on the chip shell beads. To create the suspension ‘hangers’ for each earring: cut 2 x 4” (10cm) of 0.8mm wire and place your round nosed pliers at the centre of each length. Cross the wires over on each side, to create a loop at the centre of the wires.
2. Place the wider part of your round nosed pliers at the projecting end of each of the ‘hanger’ units and create a link on each side of the central loop. Spiral the links in towards the centre until they correspond in width to the top links of your M.O.P. beads.
3. Using 4 jump rings attach the ‘hangers’ to the side links on each of the M.O.P. beads.
4. Connect ready-made fishhook ear wires to the centre loop of each hanger to suspend.
5. Optional: If you wish, you can create a wire frame at the base of your earring, by making a curve of wire (wrapping it around a mandrel) and create links on each side to connect into the small loops projecting from each side of the M.O.P. shell beads.
