DIY wired earrings in blue tutorial

Classic blue is the theme of the first We’re all Ears Challenge of 2020. The brief – use blue to create a pair of earrings or more. Typically, the first post of the year on JOS is a tutorial. But since I decided to mix things up this year, this reveal post would double up as a tutorial. Here is my easy to make DIY wired earrings in blue for the reveal.

We’re All Ears :: January Inspiration :: Color of the Year: Classic Blue

In my Colour of the year – Classic blue post, I wrote about the various interpretations of the colour. I discussed Palettes from Pantone as well. Please do check out the article, if you haven’t already done so. I think that Pantone has played it smart by choosing all three metals – Gold, silver and copper. While blue is a safe colour it might also be daring depending on the proportion in which it is used. Therefore, by providing metals which in many industries and cultures are considered as neutrals, Pantone, has made blue versatile. Overall, What stood out to me loud and clear was a combination. Metallics + glitter + Blue + 2020. 

I was enticed by the thought of glittery earrings. However, I decided to save it for the rest of the year. Instead, I picked three elements as my buildings blocks for my earrings. They are colour – blue and copper, lines – curved and spiral, and texture – beaten copper. I picked blue glass teardrops which has in its 12+ years with them been used in many forms.

DIY wired earrings in blue

Technique – Wire work
Skill – Basic to intermediate – basic wire work skills are required
Time taken – 20 minutes

Materials

1. Copper wire, dead soft – 18g – 15 inches approx
2. Copper wire – 20g – 5 inches (for the earhooks)+16 inches (for the headpin)
3. Glass teardrops in blue – 2
4. any sealant like acrylic spray varnish or Renaissance wax
5. Tools – Nose pliers, Round nose or step nose pliers, cylindrical mandrel or equivalent, wire cutters, bench plate, chasing hammer

Method

1. Cut, clean, and straighten two pieces of 18g wire approx 7.5 inches each (please take the measurement according to the final size of the earring – I eye balled it – oops!).
2. Find the center of one piece of wire and make a loop using round nose pliers.
3. Wrap the wire around a mandrel (or in my case a water bottle cap) and shape it gently. Work on both pieces of wire, repeating the step one after the other so that they look like a pair.
4. Curl the edges outwards, making small loops. This will open up the hoop into a horse-shoe pattern.

5. Using your stepped nose pliers curl both sides inwards. Note how the loops still face outward.

6. Once both sides are bent, move then gently with your fingers so one side goes up and the other down to get an asymmetrical design. Repeat steps to create a pair.

7. Hammer on bench plate with chasing hammer to slightly flatten the components. Try to avoid hammering (hard) over the crossover of the top loop.Your components are ready and you can add ear hooks and danglers of choice.

Read further to learn how to make your own beaded danglers and ear hooks. Seal the components and hooks using spray varnish or renaissance wax before you assemble the earrings.

Make the danglers

1. Cut 2 pieces of 20g wire; clean and straighten the pieces. One end make a loop and curl into a tight spiral of 3 turns and bend to create a headpin.
2.  Insert the blue teardrop bead and fold the spiral over to one side. Press so that it catches the bead like a jacket.
3. Using your pliers create a loop. Attach the dangle to lower loop of your copper earring component and wrap to secure it. Cut and tuck in the wire. Repeat to create a pair and add ear hooks.

Make your Own Earhook

Cut, straighten, and clean 2 pieces of 20g wire, each about 2.5 inches. Holding both wires, make a loop on one end using your pliers. Turn around the wires and wrap them over the largest mandrel of the stepped pliers (shown in picture) or a regular gel pen. Bend 2-3mm of the wire at the tip at an angle. Cut any excess and file. work harden using a hammer.

I wore this pair of DIY wired earrings in blue an entire day and found them to be lightweight and easy to wear. I used a spray varnish and found the sealant held on after a day at the beach as well. You can see that the beads are old from this picture. But I am glad that I’ll get to wear them a few more times atleast in this avatar.

This is a blog hop. Check out how other designers have interpreted this theme.