Wire Earring Tutorial with Pendants: Free Project | Jewelry

Recently, I needed a pair of earrings for a special event. They had to be ready to wear within an hour. I don’t usually gather my tools and supplies in an hour let alone have a design thought out, let alone(!) have a design finished! Quick and easy it had to be if I was to have the perfect accessory, so I started rummaging.

Above: Finished wire earrings made using electroformed lampwork pendants made by Patty Lakinsmith, copper wire, copper chain, and a few tools.

I grabbed some favorite pendants stashed away during the pandemic (thank you Patty Lakinsmith for continuing to make and sell online the past two years), some wire, chain, and tools. The pendants could make anything look pretty, the electroforming accents helped guide my hand on which metals to work with, and the tools led the way from there.

Here’s how I made them:

Materials:

Tools:

Wire Earring Tutorial Featuring Electroformed Pendants

Step 1:

Flush cut one end of a length of wire. Form a small, simple loop around the 2mm barrel of forming or bail-making pliers.

Place the wire in the jaws of the parallel pliers so the top of the loop rests against the barrel of the parallel pliers. Form the wire around the larger barrel.

Trim the wire about 3/4″ beyond the pliers. Gently curve the end of the wire against the smaller barrel of the pliers for a nice finish. Repeat to create two earwires.

Optional: Use a wire rounder or cup bur to “round” the end of the wire. This step provides extra comfort for the wearer.

Step 2:

Place an earwire on the bench block. Hammer the earwire to harden the wire. This will help the earwire hold its shape when being worn and when stowed in a jewelry box.

Tip: Read Wire Jewelry Making Basics for more on wire and basic information.

Step 3:

Open the link on one end of the chain and add the loop on one large pendant; close the link. Open the simple loop on the earwire and slip on a link in the chain, about 1″ above the pendant; close the loop.

Open the chain link about 2 1/2″ from the earwire, remove the remaining chain, then slip on the loop on the small pendant drop; close the link.

Tip: If the chain link is too small to accommodate the pendant loop, use a jumpring to connect the two together.

Repeat to create a matching earring.

Related: 10 Earrings to Make in an Hour

The steps in this wire earring tutorial can be repeated to create so many varieties of earrings—for a quick and easy pair, draw inspiration from the beads and pendants already in your stash or take your time and have fun shopping for something new.

Take things a step further and learn how to make your own lampwork designs. Patty is offering an electroforming workshop in late July 2022 through our Interweave@Home program that will show you how to elevate your glass work.

If you make a pair of earrings using this method, we’d love to see them! Tag @interweavejewelry on Instagram or share a picture in the comments of this tutorial.

Tammy Honaman
Director of Content

Projects and Techniques for Wire Earrings