Lampwork Beaded Cluster Earrings Tutorial

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.