I hope you enjoy my tutorial on creating a pair of cluster earrings using lampwork mini beads.
Tools:
Chain Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Materials:
2 - 1"/25mm lengths of sterling silver chain
1 pair sterling silver earwires
16 - 0.8mm/20gauge sterling silver head pins
16 mini lampwork beads
Step 1: With chain nose pliers, open the hook on the earwire slightly and slip the end chain link on. Close up hook.
Step 2: Thread the lampwork beads onto head pins. I make my own head pins by fluxing the end of sterling silver wire, melting it in a flame until it retracts into a ball. Then place in a pickling solution. I place the head pins in a tumbler to polish them.
Step 3: Grasp the head pin about 3mm (1/8") from the top of the bead and wrap around the plier nose to form a loop.
Step 4: Slip into the 2nd to last link on the bottom of the chain.
Step 5: Wrap wire around, using a pair of chain nose pliers. If using 0.8mm wire, you should have space for 2 wraps. Using wire cutters cut the excess wire off.
Step 6: Make a loop on the next bead, wire wrap to the next link up. Continue with the 8 beads. You should be left with one link free on the top and the bottom of the chain.
Step 7: Repeat on the other earwire keeping in mind to repeat the beads in the same order.
Lorraine Allan has been a lampwork artist since 1997 and has been working with glass as her medium for over 20 years. For more information visit her website at
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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