ECT TV Episode 77: Wire Wrapped Upcycled Chandelier Crystal Earrings
H! Welcome to the latest episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV)!Today I will show you how to wire wrap an upcycled chandelier crystal and make a sparkly, dangling pair of earrings. 
This is also Part 3 of my 3 Part Series: Getting Started with Wire Wrapped JewelryPart 1 is all about where to get wire, which is one of my most asked questions.Part 2 is about the tools you need to get started.And Part 3 is today and we're making these fun earrings!Here's today's video episode:
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Where to get upcycled chandelier crystals:
- Where I have found most of my crystals is at antique stores.
- Check thrift shops. I often find them there.
- eBay seems to always have them whenever you want them. (Antique stores and thrift shops are more hit or miss.)
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:Materials and Tools:
- 2 matching upcycled chandelier crystals
- 20 gauge, half-hard, round wire
- Earring wires
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Bent nose pliers
Step #1
Remove any findings or wire from the crystals.You may be able to use your pliers to bend the wire and remove it or in some cases you may need to use your wire cutters to cut off any of the findings.Step #2Cut 5 inches of wire.Step #3
Usually the crystal will have a couple of holes, but for these earrings we'll just use one and ignore the other.Slide the crystal onto the wire and center it.Step #4
Cross the wire in the middle of the crystal.Step #5
Twist the wire at least one complete time. You want the wire to end as seen in the photo.Step #6
Hold one of the wires in round nose pliers about 1/4 inch above the twist.Step #7
Wrap the wire around the pliers to form a loop.Step #8
Hold the loop in round nose pliers. Wrap the wire around the bottom of the loop once while straightening the loop so it's centered in the middle of the crystal.Step #9
Wrap around a couple of times with that wire. Then wrap around the other wire a couple of times.You can use your hands or your bent nose pliers to help you with wrapping.Step #10
Trim off the excess wire and use chain nose pliers to make sure that the ends of the wire are not poking out.Step #11
Add an earring wire.Repeat to make a matching earring.
My Upcycled Chandelier Crystal Jewelry:In the video I promised to show you the jewelry I made for a holiday party I attended over the weekend using upcycled chandelier crystals.
I made two tier earrings using the same concept as above.(In Wire Wrapping for Beginners eCourse I show you how to make different types of tiered earrings, how to make your own jump rings and earring wires.)
Wire Wrapped Ring with chandelier crystal and spirals on the sides. (Learn how to make this ring with a bead in Wire Wrapping for Beginners eCourse.)
This is my bracelet from the set. I decided simple was best, just a bunch of crystals.
I am crazy about this necklace set. It's actually 2 necklaces layered (which is really on trend right now.) I made the chain for the pendant necklace (another tutorial from Wire Wrapping for Beginners eCourse) and then layered it with a choker length necklace of crystals.
Here's a photo of me wearing the necklaces, although they're kind of covered up by my big hair.
This is the final install of the 3 part series:
Part 1 is about where to get wire, which is one of my most asked questions.Part 2 is about the tools you need to get started.And Part 3 is this post.You can find each of these 3 parts free on my website at the links above.However, I know that a lot of you love PDFs that are easier to download and save, so I created a 20 page eBook with all the information (including the step-by-step photos and instructions for the tutorial in part 3), so you can keep it handy.(Note: The information in the eBook is the same as the blogposts; however, it's in one easy-to-access place in this eBook. You can download it and save it so you can find it to access it again and again!)
You can get the eBook by purchasing it below:
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