Hello and welcome back to my mini-series, Handmade Components.
Today, I am going to walk you through a simple yet elegant way to add embellishment to the Copper Ovals with Eye Loops, we made a few weeks ago.
In today’s tutorial, I will demo how to make both versions of the component shown here.
Let’s start by taking a look at the materials used in this project.
Tools and Materials
I will be using the Copper Ovals I made in the first half of the series.
Of course you can use store bought components if you prefer.
My components measure 40x3o millimeters.
I have added my Amazon Affiliate links to these products for your convenience.
- Flush Cutters
- Chain Nose Pliers
- Round Nose or Multi Step Looping Pliers
- Weaving Wire – 26 Gauge Copper Wire
- Small Apatite Chip beads 2 – 4 mm
- 5×7 mm side drilled Freshwater Baroque Pearls
- 20 Gauge Copper Wire or 2 Brass Ear Wires
- 2 – 6 x 12 millimeter Faceted Drops – Top Drilled
I purchased these lovely turquoise drops with half metallic copper finish from Joann’s some time ago. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a link for you but any drops of your choice with work just fine.
Throughout the tutorial, you will see the instructions to flush cut the wire.
For most cutters, this is achieved by positioning the back side of the cutter against the portion of wire on the project.
Version 1 - Crystal Drop and Wire Scallops
Cut two 10 inch lengths of the weaving wire, one for each earring.
Thread on the drop bead and carry it to the center of the wire.
Using your thumb or forefinger, push the wire up along the top edge of the bead one one side.
Do the same on the other side of the crystal.
Bring the wires across one another slightly above the top of the crystal, so that it can swing freely.
Grasp the wires below the point of the crossover and push the wires down until the sit parallel to the pliers as shown.
Twist the wires around two times to form a full wrap.
Manipulate the wires upward to a 45 degree angle on each side.
Position the frame on top of the wire and mark the wrapping spots with a Sharpie. Let the ink dry for a few minutes.
With the weaving wires on top of the frame, line up the wire with the marks and wrap around the frame.
Make 3 wraps on each side.
Snug your coils tightly against each other.
Bring wires through the center of the frame to the front.
Use your thumb and forefinger to smooth the wires into a slight curve and determine where you want to attach them to the lower part of the frame.
Wrap 3 times on each side, snugging the coils tightly together without overlapping.
Use your chain nose pliers to tighten the coils if needed.
With left wire on top of the frame and the right wire behind, smooth the wires into a slight curve and position them as shown, slightly off center.
Wrap the left wire first, making three coils around the frame.
Use the flush side of the cutter to cut off the excess and the chain nose pliers to tuck the tip of the wire until you can no longer feel any sharp edges.
Wrap the right wire around the frame, pass the wire from front to back below he left wire.
Use your chain nose pliers to tighten the wrap.
Repeat the steps twice more for a total of three wraps.
Use the flush side of the cutter to cut off the excess and the chain nose pliers to tuck the tip of the wire until you can no longer feel any sharp edges.
Repeat all the steps for your second component.
You can add premade ear wires or see the video below to make your own perfectly matching earring findings.
Now let’s take a look at the gemstone and pearl version of the component.
Version 2 - Apatite and Freshwater Pearls
The wire wrapping for the Copper Oval is very similar to the technique used in the Brass Oval tutorial.
Once again, we will work with the natural curve or the weaving wire.
Begin by cutting a 10 inch piece of the 26 gauge copper and smoothing it out with your thumb and forefinger to create a slight curve.
Lay the wire across the top of the frame, leaving a few inches of tail on the bottom of the frame to wrap with.
Using the tail of the wire, wrap around the frame three times below the intial wrap.
Use the chain nose pliers to snug the coils together.
Flush cut the excess and tuck the tip of the wire with the pliers until you can not feel any sharp edges.
Thread on several of the tiny Apatite gemstone chip beads and one of the pearls.
Check often to get enough chips to fill the wire, leaving room for the pearl until you are satisfied.
Bend the end of the wire over the frame. You can shorten the wire down to a few inches before wrapping this end if you prefer.
Wrap three tight coils, working upwards towards the eye loop. Use your chain nose pliers to tighten the coils and to snug the coils together. End the wire with your flush cutters and tuck the tip as before.
Smooth the remaining wire again, forming a slight curve.
Position the wire on top of the frame leaving a few inches of tail at the bottom end.
Wrap three tight coils, using the tail end of the wire, working towards the existing coils.
Flush cut the excess and tuck the tip.
Position the top end of the wire to your desired connection mark and wrap three tight coils, working upwards towards the eye loop again.
End the working wire as before.
Smooth the remaining working wire forming a slight curve.
I chose to attach the wire at the top of the frame first.
End the wire as before and snug the coils together with the pliers before adding the beads.
Thread on the Apatite chips and two pearls, position the lower end of the wire and bend sharply across the frame.
Cut the wire down to a few inches before wrapping if you prefer working with a shorter wire.
Wrap 3 tight coils towards the existing wraps on the base.
Flush cut the excess and tuck the points. Check all the wires to make sure there are no sharp edges.
Now to make the mirror image,
Use the first earring as a guide for the second earring.
You can create the mirror image by holding the first one upside down to ensure your wires are positioned identically on the second one.
In this way, both earrings will have the wraps going over the frame when adding the ear wires.
Since I have made my own components, I prefer to make my own ear wires for this project.
Check out my Video for making Perfectly Matching Earrings Findings.
In the next post....
In the next post of the Handmade Components mini-series, I will demo how to wire wrap gemstone chip beads directly to the frame to create the Bronze Diamond Amazonite earrings.
They are funky and fun to make, so stay tuned for more from The Alluring Bead Boutique and A Jeweler’s Life Blog.