Squiggle Gear Earring Design

Steampunky-style wire earrings

Posted by Jean Campbell

About

I give pointers about making gift earrings on Beading Daily today, so I thought I'd whip up a pair of funky Steampunky-style wire earrings inspired by the work in Denise Peck's new book, 101 Wire Earrings.

Here's how I made them:

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You Will Need (8 things)

  • 2' of bronze 20-gauge Wire
  • 4 ' Of Brass 26 Gauge Wire
  • 4 ~10mm watch Gears in gold and silver (beadbury.com)
  • 2 gold 2" Eye Pin(s)
  • Wire Cutters
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Chain Nose Pliers
  • Metal File

Steps (7 steps, 40 minutes)

  1. 1

    Cut the 20-gauge wire in half. Form a wrapped loop at one end of one wire.

  2. 2

    Use chain-nose pliers to form a U-shaped bend 3/8" from the bottom of the coiling.

  3. 3

    Slide on 2 watch gears (one gold, one silver).

  4. 4

    Coil the working wire around the first bit of wrapping.

  5. 5

    Cut the 26-gauge wire in half. Messily coil the wire around the 20-gauge coiling.

  6. 6

    Use the widest portion of round-nose pliers to bend an eye pin 1/3 of the way down from the loop; file the end of the wire smooth. Connect the dangle.

  7. 7

    Repeat all for the second earring.

    What do you think? I think there will be no gifting with these babies...I'm keeping these for myself!