Wire-wrapped Earrings With Dimensional Dangles Tutorial
If you enjoy wire-wrapping and love earrings, here's something you may like. It's a video tutorial on how to make wrapped loop earrings with those fun dimensional dangles.
OK, I'll confess -- I came up with the term "dimensional dangles" myself. But to me, it seems to fit. 
Why Dimensional?
Many, many times I have added multiple charms/dangles on a pair of earrings or a pendant. And while sometimes the "spreading" look is what I want, other times I want a different look. Sleeker maybe, with some curve instead of just straight lines.
Now I highly doubt that I am the first one to come up with this! But I did want to share this with you.
Wire Wrapped Earrings
It's been awhile since I've done much wire wrapping. It's actually how I first got into jewelry making, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (Well, maybe not that long, but it's been awhile.) I've been busy with my bead embroidery, but every so often I like to go back to my roots.
So, wire wrapped earrings it was! And since I had just made a how-to video on double-wrapped loops and eyepins, it seemed fitting that I would make the earrings with double-wrapped loops.
And Now the Video Tutorial
I'm sure you're waiting to see the video, LOL. You'll need wire (I used 24 gauge), some beads, wire cutters, two pair of pliers (one of which has to be round-nose) and a couple of jump rings (if you decide to make the patters for the second pair I show).
I used red brass wire, which is pretty similar to gold-filled -- but a whole lot cheaper! However, please feel free to use whatever wire you like. You can also use 22 gauge wire; possibly even 21 gauge in a pinch. But by the time you make it to 20 gauge, the wraps are harder to make when the loops are small.
Here's the video. It's almost 23 minutes long, so get comfy and enjoy! And as always, if you enjoy the video, please feel free to like me on Facebook. 
Anyone for Rivolis?
I absolutely love the look of rivolis, and judging from what I have seen, a lot of others do too! I thought I would share some rivoli pendants I've made, and talk a little about them.
What Are Rivolis?
Just a quick overview on what a rivoli is. Most commonly they are made by Swarovski, and they come in diameters from 8mm through really huge (28mm is the largest I have seen to date). The most commonly used sizes are 12mm, 14mm and 16mm.
What makes a rivoli different is that it has both a pointed top and a pointed bottom, with the bottom being a shallower depth. This provides for more facets in the crystal, which of course means more sparkle!
The challenge is that because the back isn't flat, it takes a little more maneuvering to incorporate these gorgeous hunks of bling into your jewelry.
A Class in Glass
And by glass, I mean working with rivoli stones. I am lucky enough to live within an hour of a bead store that often has nationally-known teachers. I signed up for two classes with Amy Katz, and am I ever glad that I did! Not only is Amy a fabulous teacher, but she is a wonderful person. If you get a chance to take a class with her, do it!!!
The two rivoli pendants at the top of this post are part of one of Amy's projects. She has a unique style of cradling the rivolis so that they are secure. Then you can have lots of fun embellishing them! The project in the class used small 3mm pearls as part of the embellishment, which made the rivoli stand out. These pendants use 14mm rivolis.
(I am not doing to discuss how to do the backing out of courtesy to Amy, since she teaches the method.)
And Now to Explore
My style of jewelry-making means that I make the project once (or maybe twice) the way the teacher explains, then I go off and make my own versions. I probably seemed like a "loose cannon" to poor Amy!
For the two pendants on the right, I used a more "bling-y" approach. For the red pendant, I used 3mm Swarovski bicones as part of a swirl around the rivoli.
For the aqua stone, I used the same basic steps. However, instead of using a bicone as part of the swirl, I used more seed beads. It's kind of hard to tell, but this pendant is larger overall than the red one.
As is usual for me, I made some of these pendants to give as gifts. And as even more usual, I neglected to take photos of the pendants before I gave them to their (I hope happy) owners. One of the pendants was made using an 18mm rivoli, which took a little more experimentation to get the back the way Amy taught (but I did it!). The other was done in another Glacier Blue 14mm rivoli.
Rivoli Hunting
I split my rivoli purchases between the bead store and ebay. And on ebay I recently ran across some really cool stones -- they are sew-ons!
Naturally, I had to scoop up some. Do I know what I will do with them yet? Of course not, LOL! Well, actually I will probably use them in a bead embroidery project I am contemplating.
(Off to get some more, seeing as I will want to make my project-to-be in at least one other color.)
There are plenty of places, both physical stores and online, that sell these wonderful crystals. Shop for them where you like best! But do get some and experiment with these glorious crystals!
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| 12 Vintage Swarovski Rivoli Sew ons 14mm Bermuda Blue gold foiled 1122 | |
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$12.60 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 23m |
| 3pcs Swarovski 10mm Siam Round Sew on Rivoli Swarovski 3200 | |
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$2.45 Time Remaining: 18d 23h 20m Buy It Now for only: $2.45 |
| 12 Swarovski Rivoli Sew ons in 16mm Crystal Ultra purple coating 1122 | |
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$13.10 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 23m |
| 12 Swarovski Rivoli Sew ons in 16mm Crystal Ultra Lime coating 1122 | |
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$13.79 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 23m |
| 12 Swarovski Rivoli Sew ons in 16mm Crystal Ultra Pink coating 1122 | |
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$13.19 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 23m |
| 16pcs Swarovski 1122 Sew On Rivoli Rhinestones 12mm Crystal Heliotrope Color | |
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$8.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 53m |
| 16pcs Swarovski 1122 Sew On Rivoli Rhinestones 12mm Crystal Vitrail Light Color | |
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$7.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 4m |
| 12 Swarovski Summer Blush Color Sew On 14mm Rivoli Rhinestones 1122 | |
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$15.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 1h 16m |
| 12 Swarovski Rivoli Sew ons in 16mm Crystal Ultra Orange coating 1122 | |
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$13.79 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 24m |
Right Angle Weave – Get Slinky!
You may have already seen my right angle weave video tutorial on my "sister site", but now it's time for another look at right angle weave. Because it doesn't always look the same!
"Slink Stones" - Right Angle Weave Bracelet
When you think of RAW (as it is also called) you probably think of a piece that looks like a grid of sorts. And you're right -- it does often look that way. It is usually a very regular beading stitch.
But what happens when you choose a different kind of bead to make your piece? What happens is what I call "Slink Stones"! And if you want to make your own, read on and you'll get a video tutorial!
Get Slinky with RAW
This isn't a typical look, and isn't immediately obvious that it's right angle weave. But once you see how it's made, it's definitely RAW.
The feeling of this particular piece is very, very slinky on the wrist -- thus the name.
I made this bracelet with one of the toughest beads to use easily -- gemstone bead chips. Sure, they are easy to use as a component, in (for example) a strung necklace. But it's not all that often you'll find a project that uses the chips as the main bead.
Before you get to the video, though, I do want to mention something -- this bracelet is pretty heavy due to all the gemstone chips used. You will definitely want to use doubled thread and/or something like Fireline.
Slink Stones -- Supplies and Video Tutorial
All that being said, it's time for the list of supplies and then the video. Here you go:
- Gemstone chips, roughly a 16" strand. You won't use all 16", but unless you have a 6 inch wrist, you'll use more than half. In the video, I use a jasper -- usually I hear it called either "autumn jasper" or "harvest jasper".
- Seed beads -- size 11, somewhere around 2 grams, give or take a little.
- Clasp. I use a sterling silver toggle clasp. A two-strand bar clasp would also work nicely or a lobster claw would be good.
- Thread -- use something like Fireline or PowerPro. Use at least a 6-lb test -- 8-lb is even better. This is a heavy bracelet! Although I don't show it as doubled in the video, you might want to consider it. Don't bother with something like Nymo -- it will end up stretching and sagging.
- Needle -- size 10 will work, or you can use a size 12 if you wish. You can use a sharp or the longer beading needle, whichever you prefer.
- Scissors or other cutter. I know a lot of people say don't cut Fireline with your good scissors, but I've been doing it for at least two years now. Just don't cut it with the tips.
Now that you know the supplies, here's the video. It's longer than my usual videos, so get yourself something to drink and plop yourself in your favorite chair. And if you enjoy the video, how about liking me on Facebook (thank you kindly).
