Sterling Silver Swirl Earrings

Dateline: 09/07/98

I was thinking about the first project I posted on this site and decided it was time for another wire project. This week’s project will show you how you can use sterling silver wire to make a pair of earrings. Then come back next week and I’ll show you how to take these earrings one step further for a different look.

Though I'm using sterling silver wire in this project, you can use copper, gold, or gold-filled wire depending on your budget and preference. If you’ve never worked with any type of wire before, I suggest practicing using copper wire first. Then graduate to the precious metal wires when you feel comfortable. You can find copper wire in different gauges at your local hardware store for just a few dollars.

These are all the supplies you’ll need:

• 8 inches of 18 gauge sterling silver round wire
• 2 sterling silver ear hooks

*The tools you’ll need are:

• wire cutters
• jeweler files
• ruler
• round nosed pliers
• flat nosed pliers

*For a good source of jewelry tools, you can see what is availble at my Supplies link.

1. Using the ruler to ensure your two pieces are even, cut the wire in half. You should now have two 4 inch pieces of wire.

2. Now use a jewelry file to file down each end of the wire so they are flat. This is important so that later the wearer of the earrings doesn’t accidentally get poked by a sharp piece of the wire.

3. Take one of the wires and use your round nosed pliers to make a small curl on both ends of the wire. Try to make sure both ends are about the same size curl.

4. Next, use your flat nosed pliers and grasp one of the curled ends of the wire and hold the other end with your hand. Use the pliers to continue to roll the curled end of the wire inward. Do the same on the opposite end of the wire. Stop when you have no less than 2 inches of straight wire inbetween the curls.

NOTE: It is usally best to roll one curl at a time. Then stop and do the same thing on the opposite end of the wire to ensure they are as similar in size as possible.

5. This next step you will do with your hands. Hold onto your curled wire pieces with both hands so that one end (the left if you're right handed) is holding a curled end and the tip of the thumb of your other hand is placed in the center of the piece of wire. Bend the wire towards you while you use your thumb to push the middle away from you.

6. Add ear hook to middle of earring.

7. Follow steps 3 to 6 for second earring.

This is a simple and quick project, but still creates a very pretty pair of earrings. You can also take this simple swirled pattern and dangle a bead, like a rose quartz heart or star, in the middle. Just slip the bead on a head pin and add it to the ear hook before or after you put the swirl piece on. There are lots of possiblities. Let me know what type of wire you picked and about other swirl variations you come up with. And don't forget to come back next week to see what else you can do to get a different look from these swirls.

All graphics created by Tammy Powley.

Previous Features