Double Spiral Wire Earrings Video Tutorial
Making spirals from wire is a whole lot of fun, although a lot of people have problems at first. However, once you get that “ah hah” moment, making spirals, and double spirals, is very easy. And they are a perfect choice for earrings that swing and sway as you wear them. 🙂
In this video tutorial, I’ll teach you how to make spirals, both open and closed. Then you’ll take the next step and make double spirals from wire.
And you’re not limited to just plain spirals, but also ones with beads.
These earrings can be made longer or shorter that what is shown on the video. You can substitute larger jump rings if you like, to add more length with a minimum of weight.
This technique can also be used to make a bracelet, although I would suggest using 18 gauge wire if you do that. And what about a necklace? It’s a great technique for necklaces as well.
Supplies Needed
You will need just a little in the way of supplies for these earrings — 20 gauge wire, jump rings, earring findings. Then a pair of wire cutters and two pairs of pliers. And if you want to make a beaded version, a few beads. 🙂
The specific supplies needed for each set of earrings are as follows.
Set 1:Â Double Spirals (photo at the top of the post)
- Four pieces of 20 gauge wire, about 3 1/4 inches long each. I used red brass.
- Eight jump rings, 18 gauge, 5mm inside diameter. I used amethyst.
- Pair of earring findings.
Set 2:Â Double Spiral With Beads
- Four pieces of 20 gauge wire, about 4 inches long each. I used red brass.
- Eight jump rings, 18 gauge, 5mm inside diameter. I used amethyst.
- Four 6mm beads. I used rondell shapes, in metallic peacock.
- Two 4mm beads I used rondell shapes, in metallic peacock.
- Pair of earring findings.
Let your imagination be your guide!
Chain Maille and Jump Rings
Sterling necklace made with a variation of the Byzantine weave.
Chain maille (also spelled chain mail) is weaving chains and sheets by using rings. Traditionally, this was done using metal rings, although today’s patterns can make use of jump rings made of metal, fabric, beads and rubber or plastic. It’s a brave new world!
Before you run out and buy a bunch of jump rings, you need to be aware of their aspect ratio.
The what?
Every jump ring has an aspect ratio (also known as AR), which is calculation based on the size of the ring compared to its gauge. And the various weaves are made with rings of a certain AR. (Read on a little further and you’ll get more detailed info on this subject.)
Jump Rings and Metals
You can buy rings from all kinds of places, in all kinds of metals and in a rainbow of colors. You can get rings made with precious metals (silver, gold) or base metals (pretty much anything but silver or gold).
When learning how to do chain maille, you may want to start with an inexpensive metal such as copper, which is also relatively soft (and therefore easy to open and close). Aluminum is nice and light (and can also be andonized in several colors), but it can be stiff and tough to close in thicker gauges, until you are used to the stiffness.
With This Ring…
Here are some things you need to be aware of when going jump ring shopping, especially if you are shopping online:
- Wire Gauge: thicker gauges make thicker weaves, which is nice when you want a substantial piece of jewelry. But for some projects, like earrings, you may want a finer, lighter gauge. 18 and 20 are the most commonly-used gauges in jewelry.
- Diameter: To calculate AR you need to know the inside diameter (ID) of the jump ring. However, sometimes you only get the measurement for the outside diameter (OD). Yikes!
- Material: Are you making a casual piece of jewelry or something extra-special? When it comes to chain maille, almost anything goes. Special pieces may call for precious metals. Casual jewelry is fun in colors.
- Cut: I go into it more in the free ebook below, but how the jump ring is cut off the mandrel is important. With precious metals, you want rings that are saw-cutl other ways of cutting will have one end of the jump ring that is flush, and the other cut end will have a slight point.
Free Ebook Tutorial
And here you go — a free ebook tutorial for Chain Maille Rings. You’ll get all kinds of info on:
- What to look for when buying jump rings.
- The two main wire measuring standards and how they differ.
- AR Chart — Gauge, ID, OD and AR for common gauges and sizes of jewelry.
- Examples of chain maille weaves made with different ARs.
- Mini-tutorial for a 4-in-2 weave.
It’s 9 pages total, and yep, it’s free to you, so enjoy! 🙂
Cool Down With Snowman Earrings!
This snowman earrings tutorial is kind of an “in between” look. It’s not holiday-only, like the Christmas tree earrings, nor is it a year ’round look like angel jewelry. But these teeny-tiny relatives of Frosty look good any time it’s winter!
Like the other two pieces of jewelry mentioned above, these are beginner-level. Intermediate an advanced beaders will undoubtedly come up with their own takes of these classic earrings.
Supplies and Directions for the Snowman Earrings
Very simple for the supplies; you’ll need the following.
- Two 10mm round beads
- Two 8mm round beads
- Two 6mm round beads
- Two 6mm marguerite beads
- Two 4mm cube beads
- Two headpins
- Pair of earring findings
- Pliers, cutters
I’ve made these with the Swarovski crystal beads in the new color called ivory. I thought it looked appropriately “snowy”, but this also looks amazing in crystal AB.
It will probably take you less than 3 minutes to make these frozen delights, which makes them great for last minute presents. So be sure to keep some extra supplies around. 🙂
You’ll also see a larger snowman that I made for a pendant, in the course of the video. He’s done in crystal AB.
Now that I’ve said all that, it’s time for the video. I hope you enjoy it!
