These sweet, petite earrings feature Rings & Things ear threads and 3mm Swarovski crystal XILION bicone beads. The featured jewelry is the perfect color for October. But don’t be limited to our pink color choice–there are dozens (and dozens) of colors to choose from–so why not make a rainbow of earrings?
*Makers Note: Sadly, in 2021 Swarovski left the DIY Market and no longer sells their crystal beads and elements to the general public. But not to worry, Rings & Things now sells sparkly Preciosa Crystals and their 4mm or 6mm bicone beads will work great for this project (just use fewer beads)! You can shop for Preciosa Crystals here:
https://www.rings-things.com/crystal/preciosa-bicone-rondelle-beads
Swarovski 5328 Beads Color and Shape Chart Sample Card
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Here are the suggested supplies:
- 1 pair precious-metal ear threads with jump ring (I used item #53-501-5)
- 2 each ball end head pin (I used item #37-575-A)
- 2 dozen Swarovski 5328 faceted XILION bicone beads (I used item #05-328-03-17)
- Or 4mm Preciosa Crystals https://www.rings-things.com/crystal/preciosa-bicone-rondelle-beads
Here are the tools you will need:
EURO TOOL Glitter, Four-Piece Set
4-piece 4.5″ Glitter Line™ EURO TOOL® basic jewelry tool set with roll-up purple pouch. Includes chain-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, round-nose pliers and semi-flush side cutters. These comfortable pliers, with glittery PVC grips, have fine, precision ground tips, double-leaf springs, and box-joint construction.
Step-by-step how to:
String the beads onto the head pin. You can vary the number of beads to preference; I used 8 beads per head pin (about 3/4″ long). Repeat with the second head pin.
Use round-nose pliers to form a simple loop on the end of the head pin.
Form loops on both bead dangles and check to make sure the loop size matches.
Use semi-flush side cutters to cut off the excess head pin “tail”. To make a flat cut, the flat side of the cutter blades should face toward the loop.
Twist open the loop and attach it to the jump ring on the end of the ear thread. Twist the loop securely closed. Repeat with the second earring.
Rings & Things’ ear threads are stamped with the “925” quality mark on the earring post. (You may need a jewelry loupe to see the mark.)
“Scottish Heather” Ear Threads by Rings & Things’ designer Mollie Valente.
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New to jewelry-making? Be sure to check out our free online resources!
Visit Rings & Things Design Gallery for FREE birthstone-related jewelry projects.
Make things,
Mollie
2 Comments
I’m more curious how to make the treader part
Hi Rose,
To make the threader part itself, you would cut a piece of 21-gauge sterling silver wire to the desired length (a bit longer than most of the post earrings in your jewelry box), and use easy-grade silver solder to solder it to your desired length of fine box chain, fine curb chain, or fine rope chain (approx. 0.7mm chain, similar to the diameter of 21-gauge wire, so the chain goes comfortably through the ear). The trick is to have a light touch so you make a very small, clean solder joint, so it doesn’t make an uncomfortable spot when it goes through the ear. After enough practice, this is fairly easy, but it does take a lot of practice. Then solder a sterling jump ring to the bottom of the chain (again, with a light touch, because this is a highly visible spot).
~Polly
— Helpful links: —
gauge chart: https://www.rings-things.com/Products/Wire-Chart/
easy-grade paste solder: https://www.rings-things.com/Products/Hard-Jewelry-Solder-Flux-and-Pickle/EURO-TOOL-Solder-Silver-Paste-Soft.html
more info and supplies for soldering sterling silver: https://www.rings-things.com/Products/Jewelry-Soldering-Tools-and-Supplies/
jump rings: https://www.rings-things.com/Products/Bulk-Jump-Rings/