Onion Dome Jewelry Wire Earrings with Beads Jewelry Making Project          Page 4

Step 12:  With one side of the wire anchored by the tight loop that you made in step 11, you now need to thread your wire through the center two loops in your wire component, with the loops overlapping one another.  Tightly wrap your wire through the center at least two times (with 21 gauge 1/2 round wire) or if using 24 gauge wire, three times.  This isn't easy and the end of the wire you are wrapping will get bent in this process.  Pull each loop tight.  Use your pliers if you need to get a good grip on the wire to pull it tight.  This part requires practice and may be easier when done with 24 gauge round wire.  The finished product will probably look better when done with 1/2 round wire.

Step 13:  Now wrap the end of the wire around the opposite side of the loops as shown at left.  Wrap the wire around the wire about 2-3 times.  Then go back to the first side of the component and wrap the wire tail about 2-3 times so that it matches the second side. 

Step 14:  Cut the excess wire on both sides leaving about 1/32" of wire.  You want just enough wire excess so that when you are done, you can squeeze and twist the final 1/32" of wire leaving the end of the wire flat, but on the bottom of the wire.  This makes the end as unobtrusive as possible. 

Step 15:  Now we are ready to begin assembly of the earrings.  Start by making two modified figure 8 connectors as shown here.  Use 20 or 22 gauge wire to make your modified figure 8 connector.  This is a good use for wire scraps and will require about 1 1/2" of wire to make each connector.  Either soft or 1/2 hard wire will work for making your modified figure 8 connector.  Connect the modified figure 8 connector to the two loops in your wire component on one and and to your ear wire finding on the opposite end.  When connecting the loops in this connector, remember to use your bent chain nose pliers to open and close the loops as shown here. 

Step 16:  Using an head pin and an 8mm bead, make a bead dangle to hang from the bottom of your Onion Dome earrings.  The instructions for making a bead dangle can be found starting here.  For beginner's you may find that an open loop bead dangle is easier to make, for intermediate wire workers a wrapped loop may be a better solution. 

On the Next Page we will show an alternative design for our Onion Dome Jewelry Wire Earrings with Beads.