To make a pair of Golden Crystal Dragonfly Earrings, you'll need:

2 - 12mm topaz colored fire polished crystal beads
2 brass dragonfly charms
*16 inches of 20 or 21 gauge gold-filled round wire
round-nosed pliers
wire cutters
flat (or bent) nosed pliers
jeweler's file

*Note: 12 inches of wire is used for the wire wrap around the crystal beads, and 4 for the ear hooks. If you don't want to make your own ear hooks, then you just need 12 inches of wire.

1. Start by using about 4 inches of wire to make two earring hooks, and set these aside for later.

2. Cut six inches of wire, and file your ends.

3. Then make a wrapped loop on one end of the wire, and thread on one crystal bead.

4. Now make another wrapped loop on the opposite end of the crystal, but this time, slide on one of your dragonfly charms before closing the loop. You're going to have lots of extra wire….don't cut it off…you'll need it for the next step.

5. Now bring the extra wire up and around your bead, and wrap it around the previously wrapped loop.

6. Repeat the previous step, but this time, bring your wire down and around your bead.

7. Finish wrapping your wire, cut off excess, and file as necessary.

8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 above.

9. Finally, attach your two earring hooks to each piece.

I've already worn these a lot and gotten a number of compliments. While the gold looks great with everyday gold jewelry, like a 14kt chain, you could also make a nice pair in sterling. If you're concerned about the discoloring of the brass charms, though I sometimes like how the patina makes brass look antique, clean them up using an ionic cleaner or polishing cloth on occasion.

All graphics created by Tammy Powley.

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