Earrings Andesine Rondelle Beads and Hammered Gold-Filled Wire
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Design Idea RF26
-- Designer --
Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
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- Andesine hand-cut faceted rondelle bead 8 inch graduated 3x1mm-5x4mm
- Ear wire, 14Kt gold-filled, 14mm flat fishhook with 2mm coil and open loop,
22 gauge - Head pin, 14Kt gold-filled, 2 inches, 26 gauge
- Jump ring, 14Kt gold-filled, 9mm round, 6.6mm inside diameter, 16 gauge
- Wire, 12Kt gold-filled, half-hard, round, 18 gauge
Instructions
Step 1
Using a wire straightener, straighten a section of 18-gauge gold-filled half-hard round wire, then cut one 3-1/2 inch length from it.
Step 2
Make an andesine dangle by threading 12 graduated andesine faceted rondelle beads onto a 26-gauge 2-inch gold-filled head pin, starting with 4 large beads, then 4 medium and finally 4 small, in a color pattern that pleases you—dark to light in the example. Make a small, wrapped loop to finish off the dangle.
Step 3
Center the 3-1/2-inch length of gold-filled half-hard round wire on the smaller barrel of Wubbers® Designer Mandrel extra-large round mandrel pliers. Bend both sides of the wire around the barrel so the tips touch, making a teardrop. Make simple loops in both ends of the teardrop, on the opposite plane from the teardrop.
Tip: For more instructions on Using Wubbers pliers, read the instructions or watch the videos at this link.
Step 4
Place the teardrop on a steel block with the loops just off the block. Hold it firmly at the loops. Hammer the teardrop flat with medium force using the domed surface of a convex head chasing hammer, starting at the bottom then working your way up both sides so the bottom is fairly flat and the tops near the loops are very slightly flattened.
Step 5
Flip the hammer around, and using the ball peen end, texturize the teardrop, starting at the bottom, then working your way up both sides, working side to side on the wire, allowing your blows to fall off the sides a little as you go, so the whole flattened surface has a neat, hammered finish. No need to anneal. Straighten the teardrop using flat, nylon jaw pliers if it has curled up in hammering.
Step 6
Open a 9mm 16-gauge gold-filled jump ring, then add on a gold-filled flat fishhook ear wire, one loop of the teardrop, the loop of the andesine dangle and then the second loop of the teardrop. Then close the jump ring.
Step 7
Repeat Steps 1 through 7 for the second earring.
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