Category Archives: -Easy

Tutorial – Ancient Whispers Earrings (Free)

Posted on by dianne

Tutorial - Ancient Whispers Earrings

Ancient Whispers Earrings (Free download)
8 pages, 43 photos, 43 steps
Level of Difficulty:  Easy

What do these earrings remind you of?  A lady of Ancient Rome strolling in her garden, admiring the mosaics and calla lilies?  The Ionic Columns of Ancient Greece soaring above the Acropolis? Whatever springs to mind, the classics are never out of style!

It’s been quite a while since I released a free tutorial! While I put the finishing touches on my upcoming (and first!) Intermediate tutorial, I decided I’d make available this pair of earrings, which were originally featured in Week 13 the Year of Jewelry 2010.

This project was developed for a workshop I’ll be teaching this week and next at Harbourfront Community Centre in Toronto.

Tools & Materials You’ll Need:

Tools:
Flat Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers
Flush Cutting Wire Nippers
Permanent Marker
Measuring Tape/Ruler
Jeweler’s File
Rouge Cloth		 Materials:
33 inches (75 cm) 20 gauge (.80 mm) Hard Round Wire  

Substitutions:
Half hard wire can be used for this project.
https://wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog/2010/03/yoj10-13-ancient-whispers-earrings/

Click here to download!

Other tutorials (fee and free) are available on my Tutorials page.

Tutorial – Clip-on Earrings

Posted on by dianne

For people who don’t have pierced ears, finding handmade earrings they can wear is a real challenge.  Back when I did shows, I’d occasionally get requests for clip-on findings, and lost sales because I didn’t have them.  Commercial findings were not an option for the types of shows I was doing.

So when, about a year ago, someone posted a message to one of the forums I’m on asking if there was a pattern for clip-ons, I thought “What a great idea!”.  I got out an old pair of my mom’s clip-ons and studied them to figure out a way to make a pair in wire.   And today I’m very pleased to announce the release of a new tutorial – Clip-on Earrings!

Clip-OnEarrings-Main

The Clip-on Earrings tutorial includes two variations:  Variation 1 makes a basic spiral, with a loop for adding a dangle.  Variation 2 forms a base on which you can add your own embellishment, so if you have a favourite bead, or button, you can add it.  Variation 2 also has a loop for adding a dangle.

13 pages, 45 photos and 40 steps
USD $8.00

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Tools and Materials You’ll need:

Tools:
3-Step Pliers
Flat Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers
Flush Cutting Wire Nippers
Permanent Marker
Measuring Tape/Ruler
Jeweller’s File
Rouge Cloth
10 mm Dowel/Knitting Needle (for Variation 2)

Materials:
15″ (38 cm) 20 ga. Hard Round Sterling Silver wire

Substitutions:
 20 ga Half Hard Silver wire can be substituted.

Available from my tutorials page and my Etsy Shop.

Tutorial – Double Celtic Cross & Scrolls Earrings

Posted on by dianne

dccsblog1
dccsblog2
dccsblog3
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

At long last, a new tutorial!

Double Celtic Cross & Scrolls Earrings

I created this design back in 1998, and it’s always been very near and dear to my heart!  For those of you who love all things Celtic, these earrings combine a couple of classic Celtic elements:  crosses and scrolls!

14 pages, 63 photos, 45 steps, plus design notes

USD $10.00

Available now from my Tutorials Page.

Tutorial – Undercurrents Earrings

Posted on by dianne

Undercurrents EarringsUndercurrents Earrings

The surface of the ocean shows only the smallest hint of the turbulence underneath the waves! This is a great project for practicing precise measuring and mirror images.

11 pages, 35 photos, 39 steps, plus design notes

USD $5.00

This tutorial was voted “Best Advanced Tutorial” &”Favourite Piece” by the Members of the International Guild of Wire Jewelry Artists, Earring Tutorials Contest 2007. IGWJA decided to put it into the advanced category for the purposes of the contest, but in my opinion, this is an easy project.

(FREE to IGWAJ members, login to the guild’s website to access the tutorials library. Note: IGWAJ version does not include all of the design notes)

Available now from my Tutorials Page.

Tutorial – Micki Ring

Posted on by dianne

Micki RingMicki Ring

This bold, geometric design was inspired by the work of Max Froehlich (1908-1997), a Swiss-born goldsmith who was part of the “Modern” school of jewellery design. With one change, it is possible to make two variations of this ring! In heavier gauges, it makes an appealing men’s ring! The ring is named after Micki Bleily of Parma, ID, for whom it was made as a Secret Santa gift in 2002.

Project instructions contain both variations – 11 pages, 52 photos, 43 steps, plus design notes

USD $5.00

Available now from my Tutorials Page.

Tutorial – Illusion Prong Ring

Posted on by dianne

Illusion Prong RingIllusion Prong Ring

This quick and simple ring creates an illusion prong setting for a 6 mm bead. A modified version of this project was published in “Contemporary Bead and Wire Jewelry” by Suzanne Tourtillott and Nathalie Mornu.

5 pages, 16 photos, 14 steps, plus design notes

USD $5.00

Available now from my Tutorials Page.

Tutorial – Ancient Horn Earrings

Posted on by dianne

Ancient Horn EarringsAncient Horn Earrings

This design is based on jewellery found in archeological excavations in Ancient Greece. Coiled beads of this shape were often used in necklaces. The beads were filled with wax to give them stability when strung. This design adds an ingenious trick to provide structure.

7 pages, 22 photos, 16 steps, plus design notes

USD $5.00

Available now from my Tutorials Page

Other Musings

Blasts from the Past

Photo of the Day

Judith Goldstein