Making Elegant Ear wires that are interchangeable

For years I've made ear wires to go on my earring designs. I use a simple elegant design that is interchangeable with different dangles. Instead of offering a "set" with one pair or ear wires and multiple choices of changeable dangles I thought you might like to make your own ear wires.

These are not the best photos, I make jewelry and make no claims to being a one handed photographer :)

Here is a photo showing the different dangles I wear on my interchangeable ear wires.

 Tools list.

2 pieces 3 inch round wire. You can use 20g to 24g. Just remember if you use 24g they must very light weight dangles. The ear wires on the far right side top are made with 24g round. They are dainty looking-but with heavy dangles can tear the ears. (Think of piano wire and an assassin)

My favorite too. A 3-step plier. Notice the back side is flat -not concave. I labeled the steps, as this is the way you'll make your earrings. *Remember the flat side will always be the -back-**

Place one end of your wire so it just shows above the first step on the pliers. This will make it easier for the other side to meet up with it.

Bring your wire around Step1 until it meets the tip to form a circle.

This is how your wire should look after you remove it from the pliers.

Next place your wire on -step2- of the pliers. Notice how my loop now touches the flat/back of the pliers?  Keep your loops on the back side and you won't turn your wire the wrong way.

Once again, bring your wire around to meet itself and form another loop.

 Step 2 of your earrings. This larger loop will be the bottom of the ear wire where your dangle will go.

Step 3. Place the loops next to the back of the pliers as above. I recommend placing both ear wires on at the same time so your earrings are identical in length. Wrap the wires around the third step in the pliers.

Your earring is almost complete.

Here you can change it up a bit .I "tipped" the end to give it a more professional look.

Variation:

I used the smallest tip of my round nose pliers in place of step 1, then step 1 on my pliers in place of step2 and finally step 3 for the ear lobe bend in the wires. This also gave me extra wire, which I sometimes clip off or leave long depending on the dangles I put on them.

You can also use a variety of items to make the ear lobe loop. An extra large Sharpie works great too.

As an added bling to your ears you can put a small crystal charm on the smalles loop.

Your next step is to use either a de-burring tool or sand paper to smooth the rough edges before placing them in your ears.

Labor Day Thank You Sale!

I'm having a Labor Day Weekend sale in my ArtFire shop with 20% off all bracelets!

If you've always wanted that custom Girlfriends-Mothers-Sisters-Generation Bracelet now is the best time to get one for yourself or for a special person in your life.

Regularly priced at $21.00 it will now hold  a sale price of  $16.80!

This sale applies to ALL bracelets in my store including Sterling Silver and Gold Fill.

Remember to use coupon code WRISTBLING  upon check out to get your sale price!

Hurry this sale will end on Tuesday September 6,2011.

Wow!!!! 2500 FaceBook fans!!!!

I can hardly believe it myself...

Quite a few give aways ago I asked "Do You Trust Me?" So many of you did that I was astounded.

Well, it applies here as well.. Only I know what the prize will be, but I can promise it will be a good one!

All I will say is this:

The winner will receive an item made of Sterling Silver & Gold Fill.

*******Please read all rules below********

1. To be entered sign up is on my Facebook Fan page. You must post in the comments section where you see the logo header above.  You may post comments on my blog-but they won't count as an entry.
2. You must put in your wrist size (not the size bracelet you wear), ring size,-AND- length of necklace preferred. Total of 3 measurements.
3. There must be a way to contact you should you win. If your FB page is tightly secured and I can't send a message I will regrettably be forced to redraw a new winner.
4. Comment posts without the above information will be deleted-to help keep a proper count.
5. You have enough time to find that elusive tape measure, because the winner will not be drawn until Saturday!

Have fun and SURPRISE!!!!!! 

2400 FaceBook Fans Part II

   I thought for a bit and decided that since the number 2 was in my 2400 fans there should be 2 bracelets to give away.  Two distinctly different bracelets celebrating my distinctly different fans!

This bracelet is a square knot wire wrapped bracelet in copper.  It will be custom made to size, so please state your wrist size as your post along with a name to contact you on FaceBook..

Yes you can enter both celebrations!

2400 Facebook fans-What can I say?

When I started this FaceBook venture I so wanted to be like a few of the fan pages I saw.  You know the ones that had 1500-3000 fans. I thought oh my how can I ever get there? I promised myself I would never forget what it felt like to be just starting out with 100 fans. And I haven't.  I like to help newly starting pages get more fans as best I can and promote other fans/friends stores through ArtFire Curator Collections and Etsy Treasuries.  This is a great joy for me. Giving back.

My greatest joy in all this? Without a doubt meeting some of the most wonderful, caring, sharing fans many of whom are now my dearest friends. Though we have never met face to face, I would jump to their aid in a heart beat. Those of you who have encouraged me personally as well as professionally I cherish. All my fans on my page are dear to my heart in ways they could never imagine.

How do I celebrate and say Thank You for all you've done for me? In a Giveaway of course!

My 2400 fans giveaway is for a Byzantine chain maille bracelet in multi colors of Anodized Aluminum. I wanted to giveaway something that celebrated every type of fan I cherish with every color I could find. The bracelet is not finished because you the winner will choose the clasp. Hand made hook clasp, toggle, or lobster claw.

To sign up for the giveaway just post your comments below... Please remember to leave a name so I can find you on Facebook- or check back here to see if you won and how to contact me..

The giveaway will run until Thursday morning..

Good luck and thank you my fantabulous fans!

A Tale Of Two Crosses

Those who know me, know I collect crosses. With all the health issues I experienced if not for my faith I doubt I would have made it.

              The cross in this photo my Mom made for my Grandmother many years ago. It is lovingly done using plastic canvas and yarn. I remember helping her cut the canvas to just the right size for those lovely Lillies draping the  Easter Cross. I had to make one, and did. However mine was given to Sister Jean at church, but I always had the best intentions of making one for myself again. We all know what happens to those best intentions right?

               When my grandmother passed away I asked for this cross. It now hangs on my living room wall. I see it each and every time I go out my front door, reminding me to be safe and careful in my daily endeavors. I have always wanted to give Mom something to take it's place, but never found exactly what I wanted . That is until 2 good friends I found on FaceBook peaked my interest and inspired me to get off my rear.

                Thanks to Karen Snyder  and Marie Frazier  we will all three warm my Mom's heart and make her smile once I get to deliver my finished product to her in Jacksonville.  You see Karen makes these gorgeous earrings and rings in a Romanov weave of chain maille. They are daintier than other patterns I've seen -which is why they caught my eye. I kept thinking, now why can't that be made into a cross. I wanted to make one but as usual never got around to it.. (Yeah we all know that story).

       Now, Here is my version of Marie's Romanov Cross. Mine is not to be worn but framed for Mom's wall.  It is 4 inches long. The Swarovski crystals I chose tell the story.. They are Caribbean Blue Opal. Blue was my Daddy's favorite color and the color of his eyes. The Opal is my birthstone.

      I've met so many wonderful friends and artists on FaceBook who share knowledge and ideas and am so proud to know each and everyone of them. More than I could ever say. 

Special thanks to Karen Snyder and Marie Frazier for the untold inspiration and friendship.

Let's Celebrate 2100 fans!!!!

  

 

Those who know me , know I love giveaways. I also love sales too, but giveaways have a way of freeing your soul.

Now that you, my Facebook fans have helped me to create such a wonderful family, I'm inviting you to celebrate with me.

You see 1 bracelet-but 4 different designs.

One lucky winner will be able to choose how they want their bracelet made.

The bracelet will be in sterling silver and will have Swarovski crystals.

You can choose whether to  make it a Mother's bracelet #1

a Classic bracelet with 3 crystals #2

Either of these can be made like #3 being open

Or a simple elegant bangle #4

How to enter?

Just post on my Facebook fan page how much YOU like bracelets! 

You have until Saturday Feb 12,2011 to enter..Winner will be chosen on Sunday!!!