Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wire Crochet Dreams DO Come True!

As promised, here are my wire crochet earrings that I matched with my necklace. I just have to say that I love them! They were fun and a bit challenging and I think I was super rewarded with the outcome. I will be honest I had no idea what I was doing. I just made it up...and that is why I am so proud of them. They turned out just how I wanted them too!

The biggest challenge was the crochet hook. An I or J sized hook is recommended, I have always used a G size because I am stuborn (or lazy)...it's what I already had and I don't want to buy another one. So, G is already smaller than the suggested size and it makes it a bit tough. For these earrings I used a size D (which I already had, thanks to all the wonderful things I inherited from my mom)...lots smaller than a J or I...and it made a difference! Holy Cow! But oh so worth it!

So I started out just making a chain without beads. I did about three inches long and it really was perfect! Remember to keep two to three inches of tail on both ends. 

Once you get your three inch chains done, you just want to coil it up. Can you see how I just kind of wrapped it around each other...like a spiral

It ends up kind of looking like a nest...

Next you want to "sew" your nest together so it doesn't unravel. So I just took one tail and threaded it through the loops connecting them all together. Be sure to end with your sewing tail coming out the back.
(Gross! I know what you are thinking, and yes I do believe in washing my hands. This is what happens when you work with metal...your fingers get dirty. And sore, just a heads up)

Now you want to string your bead onto the other tail. Then thread that tail through the back.

Just do a little, gentle (remember you don't want to work this wire too much) twist-tie action to connect them together. Clip them close, then kind of bend the wires into your stitches so they don't get in the way of your earring posts or poke your ears. I just used my flat nose pliers to bend them in.

All that is left is assembling and waiting...(probably the hardest part!). There are a few jewelers or metal glues you can use. My absolute favorite is E-600. I sell it to anybody who will listen to me at work because I love it and it works wonders! This glue will hold hard to almost anything you adhere it to. Just put a good little blob on the earring then squish your post into it. I held it for just a few minutes then put them down to dry...I say let it sit and dry at least four hours. I usually let my stuff sit over night, just to be safe and I haven't had anything fall apart yet!

And there you have it. My dream come true!


6 comments:

  1. you crafty little crafter.
    i miss you again. meet me in the bread pocket at maceys!

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  2. Oh my! I want these so bad! They are so cute!! I want to buy a pair. Haha.

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    1. Glad you like them! They are one of my favorites! I really can make a pair for you if you want!

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    2. Ah, YES! I definitely want you to! I'd love to buy a pair from you. :)

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    3. Do you want the same beads or something different? Also do you have sensitive ears?

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