About This Tutorial
This project will introduce you, step-by-step, to the basics of making twisted wire jewelry. Once you get the hang of these basic steps, you can use extra long lengths of wire and lots of different kinds of beads to create not just earrings, but also bracelets, necklaces, wrapped barrettes and other jewelry items.
I like to do this project with folks of all ages, especially young people who want to learn to do beadwork. It's a good warm-up to working with beads and thread, and no special tools are required! Just warn kids (and adults) that thin craft wire can hurt when you poke the end of your finger with it, so always come at the wire from the sides and feel your way toward the ends.WHEN YOU'RE DONE with this tutorial, and you want to make more jewelry, scroll down toward the very bottom of this lens and see my recommendations for books, kits and tutorials especially hand-picked for beginners!
ESSENTIAL MATERIALS
Have these items on hand to complete the project as pictured here.
- 26 to 28 ga. craft wire (or sterling, gold, copper, brass)
- 2 leaf beads
- 2 flower beads
- 6 faceted fire polished beads, 4mm
- 2 French earring wires (aka "findings")
OPTIONAL MATERIALS
These materials also work nicely in this project.
- Larger or smaller fire polished beads, e.g., 3mm to 7mm
- Lentil beads (flat, with a hole to one side)
- Small accent beads such as ladybugs, butterflies, or dragonflies
- Freshwater pearls
TOOLS
- Craft scissors (or jewelry wire cutters)
- Jewelry pliers (optional)
Terminology
I use the following terms when describing how to make these earrings:
- TRUNK: The twisted center of the earring
- BRANCH: A twisted loop that goes off to one side of the Trunk.
- BUD: Leaves, flowers, or other beads at the end of a Branch (or Trunk).
Step-by-Step
Follow the steps below to create your twisted wire earrings.
STEP 1
Cut a length of wire about 18" long.
This might be a bit longer than you'll need, but it's better to have too much than too little.
This might be a bit longer than you'll need, but it's better to have too much than too little.
STEP 2
Fold the wire in half and pinch it at the fold to make a crease.
STEP 3
Feed the wire through the loop at the bottom of one of the earring findings, resting the crease on the loop.
Now you'll have 2 wires to work with!
Now you'll have 2 wires to work with!
STEP 4
Hold both sides of the craft wire firmly with your thumb and forefinger, and twist the French earring finding 3 times in the same direction. This is the start of the Trunk.This step secures the craft wire to the earring finding.
STEP 5
To make the first Branch and Bud, bend one of the wires to the side, more or less at a right angle to the Trunk.Put three fire polished beads onto the wire and push them up the wire, almost to the Trunk, leaving about a 1/4" gap between the beads and where the Branch joins the Trunk.
Bend the wire back toward the Trunk, folding the 3 fire polished beads into a tight loop. This takes just a little practice -- you'll catch on quickly!
STEP 6
Hold the earring finding and Trunk firmly in one hand and the loop of 3 beads with the other. Twist the loop of beads 3 to 5 times, so that the Branch they are on becomes twisted. Don't over-twist.
This is awkward the first time, but it gets easier!
TIP: It looks best to twist all Branches the same number of times. Count as you twist. If you twisted 3, 4 or 5 times for this first Branch, twist the same number of times for all Branches on both earrings.
This is awkward the first time, but it gets easier!
TIP: It looks best to twist all Branches the same number of times. Count as you twist. If you twisted 3, 4 or 5 times for this first Branch, twist the same number of times for all Branches on both earrings.
STEP 7
After forming the first Branch, cross the 2 wires, holding them in a more or less parallel line (not lined up together side by side) and twist them 3 to 5 times to form some more of the Trunk.TIP: It's easier to twist the Trunk if you hold the two wires like this:
______| |______ instead of this: ==========
This step is also awkward the first time, but it's easier to get a tight twist when the wires are splayed out than when they are lined up together.
Congratulations, you have completed 1 Branch and 1 Bud. Plus, you've also completed most of the Trunk!
STEP 8
Let's make another Branch, this one with a flower bead for the Bud. This time you should use the side of the wire you didn't use last time.TIP: To keep the 2 lengths of wire more or less even, always alternate making Branches with one wire, then the other. In other words, always use the longer of the 2 wires. You can find the longer wire by rubbing your fingers along the two wires together, until the short one falls away. The one that's left in your hand is the one to use!
Bend the longer wire to the opposite side of the first Branch. (No need to be perfect, you'll straighten and adjust the whole earring when you're done.)
Put on 1 flower bead and push it up almost to the Trunk. Twist it as you did in step 6.
STEP 9
With the Bud wire bent toward the Trunk, cross the 2 wires, and then twist 3 to 5 times to make a bit more Trunk.
STEP 10
Now you're ready to add the bottom leaf Bud. Put both wires together, slip a leaf bead onto both wires, and bend the wires up to form a U-shape around the top part of the leaf.BUT if the hole in the leaf bead goes from top to bottom instead of side to side, just fold the wire up against one side of the bead (as in the earring in the photo).
Wrap both wires around the Trunk, all the way up the Trunk to the earring finding loop (skip wherever Branches join the Trunk). If you have enough wire, pass it through the earring loop again for extra reinforcement.
STEP 11
Make 2 or 3 tight, close wraps at the top of the Trunk, and cut off the excess wire very close to the Trunk.If some of the wire sticks out, flatten it with your fingers (you can wrap your fingers in a tissue or paper towel so the wire doesn't poke you), or with jewelry pliers.
STEP 12
The last thing to do is to fiddle with the branches so they go in opposite directions. Give the trunk the shape you want (straight, curved, bent, or whatever you like), and flatten the earring so it's more or less 2-dimensional. You can do this by laying the earring on the table and pressing down.
Make one more earring, and you've got a pair!
When you get really good at this, try using flower beads, expensive fine sterling or gold wire, and make many more Branches and Buds!
Make one more earring, and you've got a pair!
When you get really good at this, try using flower beads, expensive fine sterling or gold wire, and make many more Branches and Buds!
Make your own variations of this project!
My Favorite Jewelry Books
My top picks for making cool jewelry with wire and beads
Excellent Basic Jewelry Making Books from Amazon
Hand-picked especially for the beginner!
More Jewelry Making Books from Amazon
Buy Beads and Beadwork
Check out my Etsy shops!
- Mary Tafoya Mixed Media Beadwork
- Handcrafted beaded jewelry, specializing in repurposed vintage components, sterling silver, gemstones, and seed bead designs. Also featuring small scale mixed media art and paper crafts.
- Mary Tafoya's Seriousbeadin'
- Specializing in unique, vintage and handcrafted bead and jewelry supplies for the discerning craft fanatic! Vintage nailheads, couture sequins, cabochons, jewelry stampings and polymer clay.
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- beadmaniac beadmaniac Mar 28, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
- Thank you for the very informtive tutorial.I am a complete beginner and I found your tutorial easy to follow and very cler.I look forward to seeing more of your tutorials for complete beginners.Excellent work and thank you for sharing your knowledge with everyone.
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- beadmaniac beadmaniac Mar 28, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
- Thank you for the very informtive tutorial.I am a complete beginner and I found your tutorial easy to follow and very cler.I look forward to seeing more of your tutorials for complete beginners.Excellent work and thank you for sharing your knowledge with everyone.
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- lc2u2 lc2u2 Aug 21, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
- Nice tutorial. My daughter is getting married in October and wants a crystal bouquet in place of flowers. Your easy twisting technique will be a great help.
Thank you
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- PKsToy PKsToy Aug 11, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
- Aloha, Love your lens. Very informative. I love all things wire. Great job on your lens, clear, nice and neat, and friendly.
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- marytafoya marytafoya Jul 23, 2008 @ 10:38 am
- Susan, thank you so much! I'm definitely not an expert at this type of work (but don't tell my friends' daughters ;-) so I'm really excited that you give this tutorial your thumbs up! Best wishes to ya, bead on, Mary T. 8-)
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- Susan Henry (zannedelions) Susan Henry (zannedelions) Jul 23, 2008 @ 10:30 am
- A great introduction to twisted wire work. I've worked in this style for many years and think you've done a wonderful tutorial for getting someone started in this artform. Looking forward to seeing the creations this inspires. Thanks!
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- corinne corinne Jun 1, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
- thank you for giving us so much fun! I love reading these articles and I will be trying this.
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- Diana Chavis Diana Chavis Mar 13, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
- Wow! I can't wait to try, this weeks newsletter has had me on here for hours!
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- GypsyPirate GypsyPirate Jan 7, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
- What a great, informative lens. Thanks to your step-by-step instructions and photos, I actually think I can try this.
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- freebird (Timaree) freebird (Timaree) Jan 7, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
- I've made lots of baby's breath flowers this way but never thought to turn it into earrings. Can't wait to do that now. What a wonderful idea.
by marytafoya
I earned my degree in fine arts but they didn't teach me beadwork in school!
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