ECT TV Episode 86: How to Make Spiral Earrings
In today's episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV, learn how to make spiral earrings.Once you know this technique, you can make all kinds of jewelry with spirals!This month is Earrings Every Day Month! It's not too late to join in (but it soon will be!)Learn more about Earrings Every Day Month and how to participate here: Earrings Every Day Month 2017.You can participate for free by making a pair of earrings of your own choosing each day or get a new earring tutorial each day for the month of September with Earrings eCourse. (Registration for Earrings eCourse will close on Tuesday, September 19th. You can still join until then. You'll get all the earring tutorials and have access to all the tutorials in the future as well!)Video Tutorial:Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:
Materials and Tools:
- 16 gauge half-hard, round wire
- Earring wires (or make your own - tutorial here)
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Chasing hammer and steel block
Wire: I used 16 gauge wire, but you could try a thicker wire like 14 gauge for a thicker spiral or a thinner wire, such as 18 gauge for a daintier spiral.Hammers: In the tutorial, I used a chasing hammer which flattens the wire. If you prefer your wire to remain round, use a nylon, hard plastic or rawhide mallet/hammer. It will harden the wire without flattening it.Uniform loops: for a tip on how to make your loops uniform throughout a project, click here.Step #1
We'll work right from the coil or spool of wire. (Don't cut any wire off.) Make a flush cut on the end.Step #2
We'll start by making a loop.Make a mark on your round nose pliers. (See this tip on uniform loops.)Hold the end of the wire in round nose pliers. Line up the wire with the mark. The wire should be at the top of the pliers, but not poking through.Twist your wrist away from you, wrapping the wire around the pliers beginning to form a loop. Twist as far as your wrist will allow and then readjust your wrist and the pliers in the wire. Then complete the loop. It will look like a "P."Step #3
Hold the loop in chain nose pliers with the wire off to the side. Push the wire up starting a spiral.Continue readjusting the loop in chain nose pliers with the wire to the side and pushing up creating a spiral.Continue until the spiral is the size you would like.Step #4
Leave about 1/2" tail and cut the wire making a flush cut.Step #5
Now we'll make a loop. Follow the directions above in Step #2 to make a loop.Step #6
If the loop does not touch the spiral, return the spiral to chain nose pliers and push the wire so it's close.Step #7
Place the spiral on a steel block and hammer it. If you're using a chasing hammer to flatten the wire, the more you hammer the flatter and wider the spiral will become.Step #8
Follow the steps above to make a second spiral. You can just hold the second spiral against the first spiral to make sure it's the same size.Step #9Add earring wires and you're done!
PDF of this tutorial:This PDF is exactly the same photos and instructions as you see above, but just in a form that you can download, save and/or print. I’ve added the earring wire tutorial to the PDF as well.[wp_cart_display_product name="ECT TV Episode 86: How to Make Spiral Earrings eBook" price="3.00" thumbnail="http://kimberliekohler.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ECT-TV-Episode-86-Blog.png" description="PDF eBook for ECT TV Episode 86 (Same instructions you see above, but in PDF form.)" file_url="http://kimberliekohler.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ECT-TV-Ep-86-Spiral-Earrings.pdf"]
Earrings Every Day Month is held each September!You can participate by simply making a pair of earrings each day for the month of September.Or sign up for my newsletter to get free weekly inspiration and encouragement.Or get an earring tutorial each and every day for the month of September with Earring eCourse!You get a video and PDF each day for the entire month!Sign up and read more here.