Fashion gurus say earrings are making a comeback. That new wave of “statement earrings” added pop and pizzazz to recent runway shows. As a die-hard earring lover, I say, welcome back! I love earrings. I love watching styles come and go, then come back around again. I especially enjoy making earrings and you will too. Just start with a few simple wire work techniques, then finish them off however you choose. Once you get comfortable working with jewelry tools and wire, you’ll be able to create your own bold runway-style looks in about 30 minutes.
What are “Statement Earrings”?
That depends on who you ask. Statement earrings can be made with just about any material. They can be shoulder-grazing, fabric tassels or quirky, longish, geometrics in bright colors. Vogue.it shows the kitschy look models wore in recent runway shows. Statement earrings at Style.com are bold and shiny, like department store costume baubles. Fashionologie.com shows tassels and lots of longish, colorful, flashy looks. You may not be able to do exactly what these designers did, but your DIY earrings will be just as bold and colorful.
Basic Jewelry Making Tools
Needle nose pliers Round nose pliers Wire cutters
Materials
16 and 20 gauge wire in the metal of your choice Lightweight beads in your choice of styles and colors One package of fine link chain from a craft store like Michael’s Ear-wires
Tassel Love
Ladies will be wearing tassel earrings in all materials, lengths and colors. For a quickie version, grab a pair of ready-made tassels from the fabric store home décor section. Add a few beads, then ear-wires for a fabulous runway look.
You can also create simple metallic tassels with wire and chain.
Form a 2 inch eye-pin with a wrapped loop
Cut two 3 inch pieces of 20 gauge wire. Bend wire pieces to a right angle at a spot 2 inches down. Place round nose pliers just below the right angle. Curve the 1 inch segment of wire in the opposite direction to form a loop. (see photo)
The loop will have an extension of wire left over, but don’t cut it off.
Add Chain
Cut chain into six 8 inch pieces. (shorter pieces for shorter tassels) Find the center link of each chain piece. Slip the center link of 3 pieces onto each wire loop. Finish forming your loop, then wrap the remaining wire around, just above your finished loop.
Tassel versatility
Add colorful beads to the remaining 2 inches of wire, then add ear-wires.
Use round nose pliers to form a loop at the top of your tassel, cut away excess wire, then dangle tassels from an ear-wire. Add your tassels to creative wire shapes.
Circle, Circle, Circle Earrings
Cut wire pieces
Cut six pieces of 16 gauge wire: two 8 inch pieces, two 6 inch pieces and two 4 inch pieces. Cut eight 3/4 inch pieces of 20 gauge wire.
Create circular pieces and figure 8s
Check out the article Wire Jewelry Making: Circular Style to learn the technique for making circular wire shapes. Create 3 pairs of progressively smaller, circular shapes using the 16 gauge cuts of wire above. Read the article What Can You do With a Figure 8, then make eight figure 8s with the 20 gauge wire pieces. Use two figure 8s to connect each circular shape to the next, from largest to smallest. For longer earrings add another circular shape to the bottom or top. For a bold look, add a distinctive bead at the bottom. For a different look, make your three circular shapes the same size.
Now that you’ve got a few ides, try mixing and matching wire shapes, beads, colors and tassels. Create a few wire shapes of your own. For a different metallic look, use pre-cut metal shapes from your local craft store. Check out runway styles and get inspired by materials from plastic fruit to cast metal charms and focal points. Get creative and remember, if longish, shoulder-grazing earrings aren’t your thing, you can make yours as short as you please.
Source:
Vogue.it: Spring/Summer Earrings 2012:
http://www.vogue.it/en/shows/show-themes/2011/11/earrings-spring-summer-2012
Fashionologie.com: Earrings:
http://www.fashionologie.com/Spring-2012-Fashion-Week-Street-Style-Trends-Statement-Earrings-19436560?page=0,0,0#20
Style.com: Accessory Search:
http://www.style.com/accessories/search/jewelry