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How to Make Teardrop Chandelier Earrings. Add a touch of elegance to your accessories
with these fun-to-make earrings. You will need Jig 20-gauge wire Flush cutters Pre-made
ear wires 14 4 to 6 mm beads Headpins or 24-gauge wire and roundnose pliers. Step 1. Set up
the jig to make the chandelier frame. A jig is a flat base with moveable pegs that you
wrap wire around to create different shapes. Position four pegs in a diamond shape. Step
2. Add a peg, aligned between the bottom and side peg. Add another peg in the same position
on the opposite side for a total of six pegs. Step 3. Wrap the 20-gauge wire around each
peg, starting at the top and moving clockwise. Pull the wire taut and bring it underneath
and over each pin for a counter-clockwise wrap. Finish with a second loop on the topmost
pin. Use consistent tension while wrapping for the best shape. Step 4. Cut the ends close
to the top loop with the flush cutters and remove the chandelier frame from the jig.
Stretch the frame with your fingers to enable it to fit on an ear wire loop without starting
to spring apart. Step 5. Attach the premade ear wires between the two loops at the top.
Step 6. String one bead onto a headpin or 24-gauge wire and make a loop above the bead
using the roundnose pliers. Open the loop and place it onto one of the loops of the
chandelier frame. Repeat until all the chandelier loops have beads dangling from them. You can
also create a second loop below each bead. Step 7. Create a longer center dangle by stringing
two beads together on a headpin or 24-gauge wire and leaving about 1/2 inch of straight
wire at the top before making an eye loop. Attach it to the earwire at the top between
the two loops. Repeat these steps for your other earring, and your ears will sparkle!
Did you know Harry Winston's 60.1 carat diamond drop earrings were ranked by _Forbes_ magazine
as one of the ten most expensive pieces of jewelry in the world in 2006, worth an estimated
$8.5 million.