Simple Silver Earrings

Very simple earrings that uses finding most of us have lying around in our studios.

Supplies:

3 sizes of Sterling Silver Jump Rings (total of 6 Jump Rings)

6 small Jump Rings (I used twisted jump rings)

Ear Wires

Bench Block

Hammer

Chain Nose or Flat Nose Pliers

These are great for when you need a gift fast. Plus they look fantastic.
You can use as many Jump Rings as you would like. Graduate the sizes either up or down. Beads can be added but aren't necessary. Especially if you are in a time crunch.

Hammer the 3 different sizes on your bench block. Try not to distort roundness much if possible. The rings will open up. I held the rings with my pliers and tapped them closed. I also tapped them back in round.

Use the 6 small jump rings (twisted jump rings in the photo) to connect the 2 sets of 3. I needed to tap my small jump rings on the bench block to make them oval shaped. I didn't have the next size up.

Attach to earwires.

You're done! I'm a lazy beader, so this works well for me. No muss, no fuss.

How to Make Decorative Ornament Hooks

I posted this last year. It seems fitting to post again this time of year.

As we get closer to the holidays it's time to start thinking about gifts. I always make ornaments every year. I can't seem to get out of it and everyone expects one every year. Here is a Decorative Ornament Hook that can be used to hang many things. Using copper looks great and it's inexpensive.

Start with 4" piece of 18 gauge copper wire. I picked a spool up at Ace Hardware. Don't try to straighten the wire too you will put kinks in the wire that you can't get out.

With the curve of the wire facing away from you, use your round nose pliers to make a small loop at the end of the wire. Always roll your wire away from your body.

Using the handle of a large paintbrush, about 1/2" up the loop end of the wire bend the wire over handle. Do this by smoothing the wire as you bend it. Bring the wire slightly under the handle and begin curving the other end to form an "S".

Begin making the coil on the end by using the large end of your round nose pliers to create an open loop.

Complete the coil by rolling it upwards towards the top of the hook with your fingers.

I like my hooks hammered. Use a hammer and a striking plate to hammer the small loop and coil.

Completed Hook.

Combining your hook and ornament.
Cut 10" of sheer ribbon. I get mine at Michaels. To give the ornament and ribbon a nice finished look and to keep the ribbon from doing the annoying split, I slide a 10mm glass donut over the ribbon. Fire Mountain Gems has a great selection. The clear glass donuts go best with all ornaments.

Don't forget to add your artist tag so everyone knows they have a hand crafted item by you. This one is 1" x 1"

Tie the ribbon onto the bottom of the hook using an overhand knot. This keeps your ornament and hook together and secure.

You have a beautiful finished product hanging from a handmade copper hook. Colored wire works wonderful also. Just don't hammer it.
18 gauge wire will hold most ornaments. The heftier the ornament the thicker your wire needs to be.