Sometimes my Muse takes me on a scavenger hunt. Dropping little clues in front of me until I piece it all together. This happened recently at Bead Fest spring - let me take you through the process.
It started with these delicious enameled discs by Anne L. of
Gardanne Beads. She had posted them in her
FB sales group and I loved them - but what to do with them? So at
Bead Fest I go to see them in person...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlz03N6IfGFQtnKp2rkkaPCGWusrCeRI7C6PW1_JpQFqKwU2Nk1kPijJ42MOpqPpaUnYY1mgBQDY_pRLbuwQFhw7RtJtzxX5WKG-rXUYZgJGbwpf4N3KGJHuy8yzNJymmADsfjXUM/s640/IMG_8594.jpg) |
enamel discs by Anne of Gardanne beads |
In my travel jewelry tote - because OF COURSE you pack really cool stuff to wear when vending (or attending) a bead show - I had these earrings by
Melissa Manley. I met Melissa as I took her classes at Art Bliss a few years back. We have been friends and kindred spirits since that night! (Note to self - do not stay up too late drinking wine with your new friend when you have to be hammering in her class the next morning...) I adore her sense of color, and use of translucent enamels.You may have seen her book,
Jewelry Lab?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzcc_PLrs4t4ES-U7R0jPA2LTxZcZucBY_jBbkM4MEcIBMKbr0izOOY3E131ZcaEPDW_qpkCsNiGLzA75UprdHOgpPGqtLBsBnmxjHqJVyhJTKnGS67veh-LgyXDBAmjl8t5HYZdK/s640/Manley+earrings.jpg) |
Inspiration earrings by Melissa Manley |
Hey - Muse lights the light bulb! THIS style earring construction with THOSE enamel discs. OK! And it suits me - I like the inside of the discs where there are subtle color variations. You could use these discs facing either way... hang on. I will show you what I did. Its simple and ingenious!
(Thanks Melissa!)
Materials:
20 gauge sterling wire
torch/green scrubby/polishing pad
miscellaneous beads: spacers and gems
size 8 seed beads (matte black)
size 2 crimps/pliers
bur cup tool thingee
chasing hammer/bench block
marker
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_Qs48r6a_TSkae505fvBjKg7In8RALuTAPr-rAq0p6o_658iFhxYXFd1gIDKIFchn5uN2PFZWNfboisTM7bSHoxDphP9uHBlXg5giKSaYxL6hByuvqq5tYwCG4V-1mJPGfPlNs8z/s640/IMG_8595.jpg) |
To engineer the earring.... |
1. Cut 6" lengths of wire. Ball the ends. Pickle and or polish as you normally do...
2. Play with possible arrangements. I wanted to have a pop of interest inside the disc, but not take the attention away from the enamel. And not cover too much either...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GtgzuLacph6x3yXENgKCR9_oHKmXK0aNlMv8CQWn1B1ZObyELcTY9aIvXybU_rrXGpV3NZ6s3dTKUrtpC9Hebubap_Iq_2vZY6f-Y-7OoA_3OJE6a2iiwyjEuw02TtkHcQHlGzFY/s640/possibilitites.jpg) |
Endless opportunities: (from top left) copper flower spacer, vintage Lucite flower, turquoise, hematite flat rondelle, sterling bead cap, copper and mother of pearl heist bead. |
I have a motley collection of leather bits and pieces - from Lindsay and other friends that work in leather. I love a little piece as a contrast, and a new texture. Now - using this amount at a time I have enough to last me a dozen life times...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitORHjzyq-N6lrF4MbyQQPxIlOeLkvc9Xc1gFVHMDPIkmXcwhE1q-F-Slp2XKFbSQx1situoLwoyVF2Mx9zjcReMxRuwOjoOy-x7VuQpBZFrQfO1h2SMj33MRevenBetQuc4dlxs63/s640/IMG_8604.jpg) |
Leather scraps |
3. Decide on your combinations and thread them all together on your balled wire.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJsCzitu6ebJJhBMZaACLtYal_fzH1Fd_ounzzzk6plTI2kbsLI9DTcWR7SnC-Nno5haZPuTZoKhe1q268pjFZAPslHv_YqFEir7bmqkBgSpfs8Nj3DgO_mQwuxvI6TvGetXH5XiZ/s640/IMG_8608.jpg) |
first batch ready to go |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-5GMSV_9882m7Vdelxe9w_FAC4EeLvw-wJlpuezdEFSyDatJx5AYDsb6CpuyBhzQBKncjl6RfUxAghnleA5C1-axDMjeoIanMtN11Qp6cPLkcvycKlzwbTh8sfKDyecoLFG-Zm7a/s640/IMG_8605.jpg) |
scraps of leather for a visual contrast |
4. Slide on an 8 and a crimp, snug against the disc. Squeeze it flat with pliers. Hard. This secures your pieces against the head pin.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb2MIIJI2NXdwqyqUf0blAU1b9ndZp3i0rUz9Jn419pr2pdW2Ki4lEiXq6R8Y_x_6lm4HWe5vCZZ_De5gKehClEqHLd5rDEmV-DGipqRfGX_dLBzmi97IznL-fdNGo5Qa6QdhRCZo/s640/IMG_8606.jpg) |
ingenious! |
5. Shape your ear wire. Hammer/ work harden the ear wire at the bend with your chasing hammer. Now your ear wire will maintain its shape during wear.
6. Trim wire to desired length - leaving a bit long as the counter balance to the earring. Smooth wire end with bur cup so it will be gentle on you ear.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsjDAnnytT2SzDpMC2Wu1S5m4Qz6mhWU3bNhyphenhyphen5hAj3vcq9TcbMyXrBbHWSm67hsLwSqLQmkNQXsxgUfrme3rvY-zNoChLkgfHEdpx80VLLhsdTVHALGgY_8zjH48vgdnEkdAPfwj0/s640/IMG_8612.jpg) |
Form the ear wire shape. Get a manicure! |
Now - my local gallery had been asking me for more enameled earrings... so this is very timely. These pretties are off to
The Palette and the Page this week! Its a pleasure to work with such gorgeous components and I hope you find this informative and/or inspirational. Until next time...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4PLFkcTXO8ATxXue4gHQCf6lXaJIEyQ2wy4Cw_N4Bjoxk2O8aAwnrf3MVBm5Qygu9A2aVSyFOxhga1uhya5rc8VIDEIMn8ri3av-OC7ewVk5baDOeEdblpHgX2aS7y1FIwHRLT_K/s640/finished+pairs.jpg) |
Ready to deliver to the gallery |
such a great idea of using leather - it would act as a buffer between the metal and the glass thereby reducing friction and noise produced as a result
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove your earrings, very ingenious way to make everything tight with the crimp.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a brilliant idea to make use of some leather scraps I unearthed in my stash last winter! Thanks, Jenny, for the great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThese are way cool.
ReplyDelete