How to Make Spiral Earring Wires
As you probably have noticed, I love making wire spirals! So this earring wire tutorial builds on the plain earring wire tutorial from ECT TV Episode 6.Learning how to make earring wires was almost life-changing for me. For years and years I purchased pre-made earring wires. Then I learned how to make them myself and it's so much easier than I imagined! It's simple and so much less expensive. Plus, you can always make earrings as long as you have wire!Here's how to make them!
Materials and Tools:
- 20 or 22 gauge wire (half-hard)
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Jewelry file
- Ring mandrel or other round object such as a paintbrush handle, highlighter or marker
- Nylon or rawhide hammer and metal block
A note about wire: The standard earring wire gauge is 20 gauge. If this feels uncomfortable for you, you might want to go to a smaller size such as 22 gauge. (The bigger the number, the smaller the gauge.)Also, if you don't have a hammer and anvil or metal block, you can still make these!Step #1
Cut 2 pieces of wire about 2". You can really make these any size you want, but I suggest 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" long. Just make sure they are the same length so you can make matching earrings.Step #2
Make sure that each end is cut with a flush cut. (Need help knowing what that means? Click here.)Hold one end in round nose pliers. (Click here for a tip about making uniform loops.)Step #3
Create a "P" shaped loop. Twist your wrist away from yourself, go as far as you can, readjust the pliers in the wire and finish the loop. Complete for both wires.Step #4
Bend the wire around a round object such as a ring mandrel, marker or paintbrush handle.Step #5
Repeat for both earring wires, keeping them the same.Step #6
Use your chain nose pliers to put a bend in the wire approximately across from where the loop is on the other side.Step #7
Gently hammer the earring wires with nylon or rawhide hammer on a metal block or anvil.Step #8
Working off the spool (don't cut a new piece of wire yet, just use the wire right off the spool), make a "P" loop as described above using the very tip of the round nose pliers.Step #9
Now we're going to create spiral. Hold the loop in chain nose pliers and wrap around the original loop. Hold the loop and push up the wire. Readjust the wire and repeat. Go around a couple times.Step #10
Bend the wire back so that it's directly above the spiral.Step #11Leave a tail of about 2" long below the spiral and cut the wire.Step #12
On the opposite side of the spiral, start a coil. Wrap the wire around the very end of the round nose pliers. As you wrap the coil will go off the pliers.Step #13
Continue until you use up the wire and spin the spiral on top of the coil.Step #14
Slide the coil onto the earring wire.Step #15
To keep the coil/spiral on the wire and facing the way you want, use chain nose pliers to push the coil/spiral against the earring wire.Step #16
File the ends of the earring wires (the part that will go into your ear.) I like to round them out.
Now you can use your earring wires to make some gorgeous earrings! Learn how to make simple dangle earrings in ETC TV Episode 6.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thirsty for more wire spiral jewelry? Get the Spiral Wire Jewelry Tutorials eBook!Click here.