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An original design by Barb Switzer
Supplies
6 inches of chain with unsoldered links
4 18-gauge jump rings, 4mm inner diameter
2 earring wires
10 4mm beads
10 6mm beads
4 8mm beads
24 24-gauge headpins, 1.5 or 2 inches long
Tools
2 pairs chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Flush cutters
Instructions
 
1. Repeat the full group of prep work twice, or double each of the quantities given in this step to create the right number of dangles for both earrings. String four 4mm beads onto four headpins. String four 6mm beads onto four headpins. String two sets of one 6mm and one 8mm bead onto a headpin. String an 8mm bead onto a headpin. Above each bead, form a loop to prepare it for wire-wrapping, but DO NOT wrap the loop, just shape it. Set these prepared links aside.
2. Cut two 1.75-inch pieces of 18-gauge wire, and mark both in the center, at 7/8 inch. Position chain-nose pliers right next to the mark (on the same side as your dominant hand), and use the pliers to make a crisp 90° bend. Repeat on the second piece of wire.
3. Use round-nose pliers to grasp the end of the wire, and turn a round loop, rolling the wire down toward the point at the center. Repeat on the opposite side. Repeat on the second piece of wire. Don't make the loops small, because it will be used to hold multiple chains and jump rings, work at least halfway up the jaw of the pliers.
4. Open the end link of a section of chain using two pairs of chain-nose pliers. Hold the link with a single pair of pliers, and slide the open link through the loop of the V finding created in the previous step. Pick up a second pair of pliers, and close the chain link. Grasp the chain, and pull it taut. Count down the links of the chain, grasp the sixth link (which will be oriented so you look through the loop, not at the side) with a pair of chain-nose pliers. Open the sixth link, hold it in the pliers, and pull away the section attached to the V finding. Attach the open link at the end of the chain to the loop on the opposite side of the V finding. Open the sixth link from the finding, and detach the rest of the long section of chain.
5. Open a jump ring. Hold the finding upside down, and let the two attached pieces of chain dangle down. Use chain nose pliers to pick up the open ring, and slide it through the end end link of both chains, being sure that the chains do not twist while you attach the ring. Slide the loop of an ear wire onto the jump ring, pick up a second pair of pliers, and close the jump ring.
6. Open the end link of a section of chain with chain-nose pliers. Slide the link through the loop of the V finding so it sits below the other attached chain. Close the chain link. Pull the wire taut, and use chain-nose pliers to grasp the eighth link of the chain. When the chain is pulled taut, you will be looking through the chain link, not at the side. Pull the earring portion away, and keep the open link grasped in the pliers. Attach the open link to the opposite side of the V finding, and add a second seven-link section chain to the bottom of the earring.
7. Open a jump ring. Hold the earring by the ear wire, allow the chains to hang from the bottom, and slide the jump ring through the bottom link of both chains, being careful that there are no twists in the chain between the loop of the V and the jump ring. Close the jump ring.
8. Start by wrapping the 6 and 8mm stacked dangle to the bottom jump ring of the earring. Next, wrap the single 8mm dangle to the top jump ring of the earring. Wrap a single 4mm dangle around the point of the finding, in the middle of the earring.
 
9. Wrap a single 4mm dangle to each loop on the side of the finding. Wrap a single 4mm dangle to the second link of the chain, which is oriented so you can see through the link, not at the side of the link. Add a matching dangle on the other side. Make sure that this and all remaining dangles are attached to the outside of the chain links.
10. Wrap a 6mm dangle to the fourth and sixth links of the chain on both sides.
For more information visit www.halsteadbead.com
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