Tangled Wire Bead Earrings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Leaving wire on spool, string 12 glass seed beads onto wire. Use round nose pliers to make a loop with end of wire.  Use chain nose pliers to make a bend after loop. Use chain nose pliers to make a 90-degree bend ¼-inch from first bend.

2. Use your hands to freeform wrap wire around ¼-inch piece, forming core of bead. Continue freeform wrapping, occasionally sliding down a seed bead, until you’ve used all 12 seed beads and wire bead is desired size and shape.

3. Position wire on side opposite loop. Trim wire to 1 inch long. Use round nose pliers to form another loop, tucking end of wire into bead. Trim excess wire if necessary.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 to make second bead.

5. To make bead dangle, thread shell bead onto a head pin. Use chain nose pliers to grasp wire just at point where it exits bead. Bend wire at 90-degree angle. Grasp bend with round nose pliers and wrap wire around pliers as far as possible to start to make a loop. Reposition pliers to finish loop. Use wire cutters to trim wire where it crosses beginning of loop.  Repeat to make dangle with second shell bead.

6. Open loop of bead dangle and attach loop of a tangled wire bead. Open loop of ear wire and attach other end of tangled wire bead. Repeat to make second earring.

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