April 30, 2013

Nailed Pearl Earrings


While I was threading pearls onto headpins for another project, the way they were lying on the table brought this idea to me. Of course, you can change the color of the pearls or the metal; or even use crystal beads instead of pearls, to alter this "cluster" design. Making an ear hook from a headpin really saves time too, because its end is already filed!

Materials and Tools

  • 12  8mm freshwater pearl beads
  • 12  3/4" head pins, in a gauge that fits your chosen pearls
  • 2   2" 21-gauge head pins
  • Round nose pliers
  • Chain nose pliers

  1. Slide one pearl on one 3/4" headpin. Do this six times.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  2. Using round nose pliers, make a simple loop on the end of one pearled headpin (headpin 1).
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  3. Insert another pearled headpin, headpin 2, into the loop just made on headpin 1.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  4. Make a simple loop on the end of headpin 2.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 until you have a cluster of six pearls.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  6. To make an ear hook from a headpin: Using round nose pliers and a 2" headpin, place the tip of the pliers very close to the "head" of the headpin. Roll the round nose pliers, making a loop that resembles the letter P at the end of the headpin.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  7. Using either the widest part of round nose pliers, or 6-step barrel pliers, or even just a round pencil, bend the headpin's wire end around, forming a hook.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  8. Approximately 1/4" from the end of the headpin, use chain nose pliers to slightly bend the tip of the wire away from the loop.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
  9. Attach the newly-created ear hook to the last loop on the nailed pearls. Make the other earring in the same manner.
    Nailed Pearl Earrings
Hope, you enjoyed this tutorial. See more tutorials HERE

3 comments:

  1. I want to learn do just as beautiful!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was just thinking of making myself some pearl earrings! Thank you for sharing this idea!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great explanation! I want to make these. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete