Famous Jewelry Collections: THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Don't Like Dangles? Make Spiral Stud Earrings!

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 04:00 AM PST

I'm not really fond of stud earrings as they aren't comfortable when I have the phone receiver to my ear. However, they do appeal to those who don't like dangles.

The good part about making your own is the ability to get the right length posts. Sometimes bought studs do poke because the posts are too long.

One of the easiest ways to make studs is to construct them from 20G wire using a spiraling technique. Having said that, Jeanette Blix Ryan's stud earrings tutorial on Beading Daily (you need to register for free to get the download) will need some practice if you are not experienced with wire.
Her design has the post in the middle while the end of the wire after scrolling for the spiral is used to form a smaller spiral on top of the first one for dimensional interest.

The little round accents in the middle is actually balled head pins which are cleverly wire wrapped

on the posts just behind the spirals. You could also use ordinary head pins and 4 mm gemstone rounds for the same look. The butterfly backs can be bought from many bead suppliers.

If you don't mind the spiral being "off center" for stud earrings, then check out Emi Harrington's video tutorial for an easier version.