Black Gem Chandelier Hoop Earrings

I saw these earrings and thought I could do a variation of that no problem. Took a few tries to figure out what I wanted mine to look like, but they came out looking very nice.

Supplies:

*Black Hex gems (about 25)
*Round semi black gems (about 15)
*Black tear drop gems (I used 4)
*bead wire (.45mm in dark silver)
*Flexible black wire
*Earring 'type' (2) (best to use hook earrings)
*Silver jump rings- large (2)
*Black link chain (in two different lengths)
*needle nose pliers
*round nose pliers
*wire cutters
*Measuring tape

*Tip 1- Plan It Out* As with all jewelry designs I laid out the design on my bead board before I started doing anything. Had to try out different style gem stones to see which one matched best, as I did not buy any of the beads at the same time.

*Tip 2- Measure* Always measure for each project to make sure the lengths that fit best are correct. This is important when making items for other people.  Once you have done them enough times you will know the required lengths and can skip this step.

*Tip 3- Tight Loops* Try and keep the loop as tight as possible to keep from having a big gap. This can be done by holding one end of the bead wire with a needle nose pliers and then taking the other end of the wire and pulling it tighter.

*Tip 4 - Consider Material and Purpose* You must always be aware of the type of give and strength your supplies have or you could end up with breaks, scrapping, and no flexibility. The heavier the wire the less bend and flexibility it has. String the beads too tightly together and some will rub together and break. String them too tightly and the beads will bunch and not bend well around your wrist. Some times you need to allow for "give room" with bracelets in order to get the bracelet to wrap. (or in this case the earring loop)

Steps:

-Measure out the length of bead wire you will need to create the hoops. Will need to measure both out at the same time. Use wire cutters to cut correct length.

-Use the round nose pliers to create an eye loop on one end of the wire. Use the wire cutters to clip the extra bit of wire left. (if any)

-Thread on the gems in the order of the design you picked ahead of time (see *Tip 1*). (Mine was round gem and then hex gem the whole way)

-Continue this until you have the length you determined earlier. (see *Tip 2*)

-Repeat second step for other side of the wire. Be sure the wire can be formed into a circle with out the gems rubbing too tightly before you make the eye loop.  (see *Tip 4*) Use the wire cutters to clip the extra bit of wire left (be sure to note how much you have taken off so you can repeat this for the other earring)

-Set this length of wire aside for now.

-Repeat steps 2 through 5 for other earring.

-Take the flexible black wire and cut 8 sections, no determined length for any of them.

-Slide a tear drop gem of one section of wire. Use the round nose pliers to create an eye loop and then wrap the extra wire around the bottom of the eye loop. (not around the top of the tear drop)

-Repeat the last step 7 more times. Then set aside.

-Take one of the lengths of black chain and then use the needle nose pliers to open the last link of the chain. Slide one of the tear drop eye loops onto that link. Use the needle nose pliers to close that link.

-Repeat the last step for the remaining lengths of chain.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open one of the large jump rings.

-Take the length of wire that you made to create the loop and slide one eye loops onto the jump ring. Then attach one end of the shorter lengths of chain (the end that obviously doesn't have the tear drop), then slide on both lengths of the longer chains, then the end of the remaining shorter chain, and finally the other eye loop from the wire. Use the needle nose pliers to close the jump ring. (This might be difficult to get all items onto the jump ring easily.)

-Repeat the last two steps for the other earring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open the loop on the hook earring. Slide on the jump ring that is holding all the pieces together. Try to slide the loop from the earring into the middle of everything on the jump ring. (i.e. in between the two longer lengths of chain) Use the needle nose pliers to close the loop on the hook earring.

-Repeat the last step for the other earring.

 That will finish off the earrings.

 

These ended up being a gift for a friend. They were fun to make and was one of the few things I really liked adapting.

Shell Dangle Earrings

Supplies:

*Flat shells (multi colors)
*Pendant being used (2 for pair of earrings)
*Beads (multi colors)
*Jump rings (4 for pair of earrings)
*Needle nose pliers
*Round nose pliers
*Wire cutters
*Head pins
*Earring 'type' (2)
*Tip 1- Plan It Out* As with all jewelry designs I laid out the design on my bead board before I started doing anything. Had to try out different style gem stones to see which one matched best, as I did not buy any of the beads at the same time. This also includes making sure the clasp and clamp beads match the color pallet.

*Suggestion 2* When finishing the eye loop you should think ahead to whether you plan to use a jump ring to connect the eye loop, or if you are going to connect straight to the eye loop. If you are going to use a jump ring you can go ahead and close the eye loop. If you aren't going to use a jump ring then you should leave the eye loop open a little in order to connect it to what you want.

- Take a head pin and slide on the beads that you would like to use in whatever order you have decided. (see *Tip 1*)

- Use the needle nose pliers to bend the head pin at the top of the bead.

- Use the round nose pliers to create the eye loop. (see *Suggestion 2*)

- Use the wire cutters to remove the extra of the head pin. Set aside for the time being.

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the bottom of the shell. Then attach the previous made eye loop beads. Then close the jump ring with the needle nose pliers.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open another jump ring. Slide this jump ring into the top of the shell. Then attach the jump ring (see *Suggestion 2*) to whatever type of earring you chose (I picked a hook earring.). Close the jump ring with the needle nose pliers.

-Repeat steps to create second earring.

This will finish the earring set.

I did several types. The black set went to my friend Sarah, the Koi fish pair  and the lily pair went to my Mother, and the owl pair were for me.

 

Round Bead Necklaces

I think every one has seen the round glass beads that are available in Michael's and JoAnn stores. My mother has always liked them, but she has rather tiny wrists, so the bracelet that comes with several of the beads is far too big. I figured it wouldn't be hard to just make a necklace with the same beads.

I even used the ribbon the beads are displayed on for the necklace.

Supplies:

*Beads (as many as you like)
*Ribbon clamps (2)
*Jump rings (2)
*Small length of chain
*Ribbon
*Lobster clasp
*Needle nose pliers
*Flat nose pliers

*Tip 1- Plan It Out* As with all jewelry designs I laid out the design on my bead board before I started doing anything. Had to try out different style gem stones to see which one matched best, as I did not buy any of the beads at the same time. This also includes making sure the clasp and clamp beads match the color pallet. (This doesn't really apply for this necklace)

 *Tip 2- Measure* Always measure for each project to make sure the lengths that fit best are correct. This is important when making items for other people. Once you have done them enough times you will know the required lengths and can skip this step.
 Steps:

-Measure out the length of ribbon you will need to fit around your neck. (see *Tip 2*)

-Take one ribbon clamp and position it at the end of the ribbon.

-Take the flat nose pliers and secure the ribbon clamp into place.

- Take the open end of ribbon and slide on the beads (in the order determined in *Tip 1*)

-Take the other ribbon clamp and position it at the open end of ribbon.

-Take the flat nose pliers and secure the ribbon clamp into place.

-Take the needle nose pliers and open one jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the open end of the ribbon clamp. Leave the jump ring open.

-Attach the lobster clasp to the open jump ring. Then close the jump ring with the needle nose pliers.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open another jump ring. Slide that jump ring onto the open end of the other ribbon clamp. Leave the jump ring open.

-Attach one end of the small length of chain to the open jump ring. Then close the jump ring with the needle nose pliers. (The other end of the chain will remain not attached to anything, as to allow for 'give room' incase you ignored *Tip 2*)

-At this point everything should be connected and you have a finished necklace.

You can also do this same idea with just a length of chain instead of ribbon. I did both because Mom found several more she liked and wanted the necklace to seem fuller.

Gold Toggle Flower Bracelet

Supplies: *Painted flower Brackets (as many as needed to go around wrist)
*Multi toned gold beads
*bead wire (.45mm in copper)
*gold toggle clasp
*clamp beads- Gold/Copper (6)
*needle nose pliers
*clamp pliers
*wire cutters
*Measuring tape

*Tip 1- Plan It Out* As with all jewelry designs I laid out the design on my bead board before I started doing anything. Had to try out different style gem stones to see which one matched best, as I did not buy any of the beads at the same time.

*Tip 2 - Measure* Always measure for each project to make sure the lengths that fit best are correct. This is important when making items for other people.  Once you have done them enough times you will know the required lengths and can skip this step.

*Tip 3- Tight Loops* Try and keep the loop as tight as possible to keep from having a big gap. This can be done by holding one end of the bead wire with a needle nose pliers and then taking the other end of the wire and pulling it tighter.

*Suggestion 1* Doing one clamp bead at the end to make sure everything stays tight and then another to create the loop is NOT required. You can choose to use only one clamp bead, just be sure to keep the beads together tightly enough to not end up with large gaps when you wear it. I do it for both ease and strength. Beginners can do this until they get better at re-threading the closure clamp.

*Tip 4 - Consider Material and Purpose* You must always be aware of the type of give and strength your supplies have or you could end up with breaks, scrapping, and no flexibility. The heavier the wire the less bend and flexibility it has. String the beads too tightly together and some will rub together and break. String them too tightly and the beads will bunch and not bend well around your wrist. Some times you need to allow for "give room" with bracelets in order to get the bracelet to wrap.

Steps:

- Measure out the length of bead wire you will need to fit around your wrist and then give yourself about 2 inches to loop back through at the ends. Use wire cutters to cut correct length. Do this twice.

- Take a clamp and thread it on the bead wire; then slide the bead wire through the loop on the toggle clasp. Loop the bead wire back through the clamp bead and then use the clamp pliers to clamp it the bead in place. This should allow for a loop to hold the one end in place. (see *Tip 3*)

- Repeat last step for other side.  (see *Tip 3*)

-Thread on the beads and brackets in the order of the design you picked ahead of time (see *Tip 1*)

-Continue this until you have the length you determined earlier. (see *Tip 2*)

-Once you have finished your design for the length, slide on a clamp and use the clamp pliers to secure it in place. (see *Suggestion 1* and *Tip 4*)

-Take another clamp bead and thread it on first, then slide the wire through the loop on the other end of the toggle clasp. And then thread the wire back through the clamp. Now tighten the wire until you have a small loop. Use the clamp pliers to close the clamp when you have the loop the size you want. (see *Tip 3*)

-Take a wire cutters and clip off the extra wire as close as possible to the last clamp bead. If the wire is bend-able enough and the bead holes are big enough you can thread the extra wire back through the beads instead of cutting it.

- Repeat the last two steps for the other loop on the toggle clasp.

That will finish off the bracelet.

Gold Chain and Pearl Necklace

 

 

Supplies:

*2 detail links (in preferred color)
*Medium chain (in preferred color)
*Lobster Claw Clasp (in preferred color)
*4 large jump rings (to match chain)
*needle nose pliers
*Gold and pearl design (Purchased from Michael's)
*Measuring tape

*Tip 1- Plan It Out* As with all jewelry designs I laid out the design on my bead board before I started doing anything. Had to try out different style gem stones to see which one matched best, as I did not buy any of the beads at the same time. This also includes making sure the clasp and clamp beads match the color pallet.

*Tip 2- Measure* Always measure for each project to make sure the lengths that fit best are correct. This is important when making items for other people. Once you have done them enough times you will know the required lengths and can skip this step.

*Tip 3 - Consider Material and Purpose* You must always be aware of the type of give and strength your supplies have or you could end up with breaks, scrapping, and no flexibility. Use large items if you think the smaller version will not allow for flexibility. (i.e. large jump rings over small/medium ones)

 Steps:

-Measure out the length of chain you will need to fit around your neck. (see *Tip 2* )  Use the needle nose pliers to open a link to shorten the chain to your length needed for one side of your neck, and then do it again for the other side. You should have two chain lengths.

-Take a pair of needle nose pliers and open a jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the end of the lobster claw clasp, then on one end of the chain length you just made, close the jump ring.

- Take a pair of needle nose pliers and open another jump ring. Slide the jump ring onto the end of the other length of chain. Then close the jump ring. This is what the lobster clasp will connect to.

- Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring and attach one end of the chain (either length will do). Then slide on the circle link and close the jump ring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open another jump ring. Attach the other side of the circle link. Then slide on one side of the chain/pearl design. Close the jump ring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open a jump ring and attach one end of the chain (The other one now). Then slide on another circle link and close the jump ring.

-Use the needle nose pliers to open the last jump ring. Attach the other side of the circle link. Then slide on the other side of the chain/pearl design and close the jump ring.


  -At this point everything should be connected and you have a finished necklace.

Gold Chain Gem Stone Earrrings.

Supplies:

*Chain covered gem stones
*Jump rings- gold (4)
*Earring 'type' (2) gold
*needle nose pliers


- Take the needle nose pliers to open a gold jump ring.

- Slide the jump ring in the opening on the gem stone.

- Take the needle nose pliers and close the jump ring.

- Repeat first 3 steps again for other earring.

- Use the needle nose pliers to open another gold jump ring.

- Slide the previous jump ring onto the jump ring you just attached.

-Then slide the other end of the same jump ring into the earring type picked.

- Use the needle nose pliers to close the jump ring.

-Repeat last 3 steps to finish second earring.

This will finish the earring set.