Because I have forgotten the nuances on making jewelry this last year, I'm just putting up the photos I took a year ago. It will still offer some use I think. The only tip I can clearly remember is to roll your wrist as you try to loop circles around the needle-nose pliers.
You will need
- french wires to go through the ears
- closed ring, soldered (~10-15mm)
- metal wire (if using silver or gold, remember that they can be very soft so try to choose a wire that will be hard enough to not bend with every hand tremor. I like a 20-22 gauge half-hard silver wire)
- beads of choice (be aware that some gemstones and pearls are easier to scratch than other types of beads)
- jewelry making pliers (good descriptions here)
above and below, using round-nose pliers.
Looking above, you can see my loop is off-center. If you bend the wire 90 degrees just above the bead and then roll it over, you can make more symmetrical loops.
Of course, you will close the loop above using chain-nose or round-nose pliers once you have it hooked around the closed ring.
Above: gently and slightly open the french wires with round-nose pliers. Slide the closed ring with the attached beads onto the french wire.
Using the round-nose pliers, gently squeeze the french wires closed again.
You can also use the basic loop to attach pearls, beads or gemstones onto chain. Use a thinner gauge wire, 24-26 gauge, that fits through the individuals rings of your chain.
Comments