Make your own unique chandelier earrings with just a bit of practice, some wire, beads, and a few tools.
First, decide on the beads you'd like. You can find beads at any craft store, or you can be pickier at an online store or a local bead shop. Bead shops usually have more unique beads, but even plain beads at your local Michael's or Hobby Lobby will work just fine.
The size of your beads depends on the size of the frame you'll be making. Try 4mm and 6mm beads to start out with, and once you get the hang of making chandelier earrings you can judge the proper size of your beads yourself.
Next you'll need wire. Wire comes in different gauges, which is a measurement of their thickness. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the size of wire. Try a 20-gauge for your main frames, and then a 24-gauge for attaching dangles to the frame. (You may want to use headpins instead, which are short pre-fab lengths of wire with a loop at one end to stop the bead from falling off.)
Now collect some tools. Jewelry-making usually involves small-nosed pliers. For this project you'll need flat nose (for attaching pieces to each other) as well as round nose (for making loops to attach your dangles). If you use headpins, you may not need round nose pliers. Don't use electricians' needle nose pliers, as the jaws have grooves which leave unattractive marks on your wire
If you don't want to make your own earwires (the pieces of wire that go through the holes in your ears), you may buy pre-made earwires at a craft store.
A flush cutter is also a good idea. They easily cut your wire, and have two different cuts - one is a flat cut, and one is a sharp cut, which we won't be using for this project.
Lastly, in order to make two identical earrings, you'll need a jig. Look for one at a craft store or a specialty jewelry-making or bead shop. A jig is basically a flat base with a framework of pegs, which you wrap your wire around in different directions to make the loops and swirls you see in chandelier earrings. If you don't want to buy a jig, you can download jig templates from the internet that show you where your pegs will need to be placed, and you can simply use a piece of wood for the base and finishing nails for the pegs.
Once you've collected all your supplies, you're ready to make your first pair of chandelier earrings. Before you start, however, please remember that this first pair probably isn't going to be as pretty as you hope it will be. Jewelry making takes practice.
You'll also want to keep in mind some safety tips as you begin your project. The most important tip is to hold both ends of the wire as you cut it. Otherwise, you'll have mini wire missile that could catch you in the eye. Also, when you cut a length of wire from your spool, cut it so that the flat cut is left on the spool. This way nobody will be hurt by a sharp end when they pick up the spool later.
Now it's time to set up your jig. The pegs are removable so it's easier to wrap your wire without anything in the way. Try making a diamond shape with seven pegs that's elongated on top where it'll be attached to your ear. For a template, you might try the internet. Start at the top and wrap your wire around the jig clockwise, making loops around each peg counterclockwise, pushing down on the wire between pegs, until you reach the top again. It takes a bit of practice to keep constant tension on the wire. Your top peg will have two loops around it right next to each other, kind of like a jump ring (a ring that you can open by twisting it apart, not by pulling it open). Cut off your ends close to the top loop using your flush cutters. The wire will probably spring open, unless you're using very soft wire. Stretch your frame a bit so it'll fit on your earwire without trying to spring apart.
Next you'll want to attach your earwire to the frame by getting the loop between the two loops of wire you made. You can twist the loops of your frame to get them apart a bit, and insert the earwire loop into it. Make sure the frame's top loop is completely closed when you're finished - if you know how to solder feel free to solder this loop closed.
The fun part is adding the beads. String a bead on a headpin (you might want to use teardrop-shaped beads for the dangly parts) and thread the other end through one of the chandelier frame loops. (If you're using just 24-gauge wire, make a loop on one end of your wire with your round nose pliers and cut off a small length of the wire to make your own headpin.) Make a wrapped loop around the chandelier loop in order to secure the bead to the frame. You can be creative when you add these beads - you can make loops or spirals under the beads, for instance. Repeat this step for all the dangly beads you want to put on your frame.
If you made your chandelier frame long enough, you can even hang a bead from the top loop (the one that's attached to your earwire). Use the same process to attach the center dangle to the top loop of the frame.
There are so many possibilities when it comes to designing and crafting chandelier earrings. And each pair is unique, which makes them that much better. With a bit of practice, you can sport gorgeous chandelier earrings with the best of "˜em!
