I started making these earrings for my jewelry line Crafty Little Gnome Jewelry but they are so fun to make I thought I would share a tutorial with you. These earrings are a great statement piece and an easy way to add a boho vibe to an otherwise plain outfit.
Supplies
- 16 gauge brass craft wire (thicker wire)
- 24 gauge brass craft wire (skinny wire)
- Assortment of beads. I used 3mm swarovski pearls and 4mm czech bicone crystals.
- Brass jewelry chain
- Pre-made earring hooks (or make your own with 18 gauge wire)
- 4mm jump rings (or you can make them yourself out of 18 gauge wire)
- Round nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Bent nose pliers
Start by cutting two lengths of 16 gauge wire about 5 inches long. Cut a piece of the 24 gauge wire about 12 inches long. Begin to wrap the 24 gauge wire very tightly around 16 gauge wire about 4 or 5 times.
Next take a small bead and string in onto the 24 gauge wire, hold it tightly and then wrap the 24 gauge wire around the 16 gauge wire 3 times. String a different bead onto the skinny wire and then wrap it tightly around the thicker wire 3 times.
Alternate between the two different types of beads until you have a row of beads wrapped approximately halfway around the thicker wire. Even if you wrap the wire super tight you should still be able to slide the entire section of beads over the thicker wire so that it is placed correctly in the center of the thicker wire.
Next, take the beaded wire and wrap it around a cylindrical object, like a fat marker. Place the center of the beaded wire at the base of the marker and pull the ends so that the wire is now curved.
Take the free end of the 24 gauge wire and wrap it around the 16 gauge wire a few times to secure it, then string on a row of small beads. Stretch the row of beads our until it reaches the other side of your beaded wire then wrap the 24 gauge wire around the 16 gauge wire several times until it is nice and tight. If you like you can pull the row of beads down ever so slightly like I did, so that it is curved. Trim the 24 gauge wire with wire cutters flush against the thicker wire.
Related: Check out how my earrings were featured in a German magazine here.
Next take the free ends of your 16 gauge wire and loop the ends using your round nose pliers. The earring should be taking the shape of a U.
Cut two, one inch pieces of jewelry chain and secure them to the loops with jump rings, then connect them to each other with another jump ring and attach an earring hook. Working with wire can be tricky sometimes. Like any new skill, practice makes perfect so don’t be discouraged it takes some time for your earrings to look picture perfect.
Tada, beautiful DIY boho earrings. Now get your booty to a music festival to show off your sweet style!
