Raglan Earings

...and here they are.

Raglan Earings Step 3

Step 3.

Assemble, all parts. I have used three links to attach the beads, then eight links to the earwire.

As I have used an open link chain I did not use jump rings, the same method applies to both. Gently open the link/jump ring using both the needle nose and flat nose piers just enough to link to the head pin/ eye pin loop, then using the same motion carfully close, making the joint as flush as possible. Finally add the earwire, and thats it.

You can experiment with the length of the chains, the colours of the beads, and earwires, to produce a wide variety of looks from the same basic pattern.

Raglan Earings Step 2

Step 2.

This time thread your bead selection onto the eye pins, then finish in the same way as the head pins, by creating a loop and winding excess wire around (I have had to trim my wires as they were a little to long, be careful of winding to much wire as this can put pressure onto your bead and the loop of the eye pin).

Raglan Earings Step by Step

Raglan Earrings.
These are a variation of a pair of earring inspired by a visit to Raglan Castle.
They are incredibly easy to make in only a few steps, they are however very comfortable to wear and will be noticed.

Materials
A length of Antiqued copper chain (I have used one with open links so ther is no need for jump rings).
A selection of beads of your choosing.
2 x head pins
2 x eye pins
2x earwires (bought or handmade)

Tools
Round nose, flat nose & needle nose pliers
Wire cutters/snips.

Step 1.

Thread chosen beads onto head pin, using round nose pliers create a loop and wind reaining wire around, making sure this is pushed in neatly with the needle nose pliers. Reapeat with second head pin.

Wire Earring Variations.

The finished earrings.

This basic pattern can be used and by altering the length of the wire, the number of wires, the size or shape of the jump ring, the tools used for texturing, and polishing methods you can create numerous variations.

I hope that this will be the first of many step by step projects.
Have fun creating and let me know what your finished earrings are like..x

Wire Earring Step 5

Step 5.
Polish, this can be done in a variety of ways, tumbler, dremel, polishing motor, with rouge, or my chosen method for these earrings by hand. Hand polishing leaves a subtle shine and gives you complete control of which part you want to gleem more than others.

Wire Earring Step 4

Step 4.
Once oxidised lengths are cooled, hammer with the ball pein hammer, this not only hardens the wire and creates a pattern, but also gives a lovely sheen to the metal.

All pieces are now ready to be assembled, using the round nose pliers, create loops (like an eye pin) in one end of each length. These are the placed on to the hammered jump ring and carefully adjusted with the round & flat nose pliers.

Finally, add an earwire to each hammered jumpring. ( I will also to a step to step on creating your own interesting earwires)

Wire Earring Step 3

Step 3.
Oxidisation.
This step may be skipped, I have added it for contrast.
Take 2 of the lengths, I have used the 1.5mm wire, gently heat with torch (I have my used hand held kitchen type torch as these are more accessible for everyone, but any blow torch will do) until it reaches a dull glow, at this point remove heat. Leave to cool, but do not pickle.

Wire Earring Step 2

Step 2.
Cut 6 lengths of wire, two of each length. I have used 1mm & 1.5mm wire to add interest, but you can use a gauge of your choice, and even alter the amount of lengths used.
These need to have sharp ends and burrs filed away, ready to be lightly hammered.
Don't over hammer, as this will result in flimsy and split lengths.

Wire Earring Step by Step

Beaten Wire Earrings.

These are eye catching earrings, that are simple to make. It is a great basic pattern that can be added to in a variety of ways, to make the design your own.

Materials
2 x soldered silver jump rings 15-20mm (depending on your preference)
6 x lengths of silver 2 of each length. (I have used 1mm & 1.5mm wire)
2 x earwires

Tools
Steel block/anvil
Cross pein hammer & ball pein hammer
Round nose & flat pliers
Files
Polishing cloth
Blow torch (optional)

Step 1.

To start hammer the two soldered jump rings (I have made my own and will do a step by step for this also). I hammer until a nice flat surface is created. I then hammer each a second time, with a ball pein hammer, to create texture.

A few new bits and bobs

Have had another day working in the beautiful sunshine, have managed to finish quite a few piece today. I am not sure why, but earrings seem to be my main passion at the moment, and each time I sit to create....along comes another pair.
Have been sketching new ideas aswell...and they all seem to be earrings too. Now all I need to find and some customers who love my earings!!

Made for my pleasure..

I tend to make some pieces for my sheer pleasure, with no thoughts for selling them. This may be a technically difficult item or an oversized piece that may not be to anyones taste, but my own.

Painted Resin

Have not been spending quite as much time as I would like playing with resin, but have finished this one. I cast the resin, and then mixed some pigment, and used this to created the billowing finish of the piece.

Translated........!

Have managed to grab an hour or two today, and make some pieces inspired by yesterdays Raglan Castle visit.
Copper and antiqued copper earrings, and antiqued copper and glass bead and crystal earrings.

A little more inspiration.

A few more inspiration pictures, will post more work this week.
I realy do love wandering around looking for interesting shapes and textures, wondering how to translate them to my work.

New Inspiration

Photos from our travels this week, from these I hope to create a new range.