Page 6                         Jewelry Wire Corkscrew Earrings with Beads Jewelry Making Project

We were to learn that this design for Corkscrew Earrings isn't as strong as we would like.  We showed the design to the general public and while we weren't looking these folks tested the strength of the design by pulling them apart.  Since these earrings were made with soft wire and weren't hardened, the design did not pass this test.  They were pulled out of shape.  Fortunately, we were able bring the earrings back into shape and we also learned an inexpensive lesson.  If you are making these corkscrew earrings for yourself or a family member, the prior designs will be plenty strong.  If you are making this design to sell, the design is not strong enough.  If you plan on selling these earrings you will need to modify the design.

Here is the alternative that I would recommend if you want to sell these earrings.  First, this alternative has a loop at the top and bottom  The top loop is used to connect to a commercial ear wire.  The bottom loop is used to connect to a bead dangle as shown earlier.  The second modification is that fine gauge wire is used to wrap around the wire at the top and the bottom.  26 gauge wire is a good gauge to use as it is easy to wrap.  With several wraps of the wire next to the top and bottom loops, the fine gauge wire will protect the corkscrew wire shape from being pulled apart.  In the earrings shown in the above paragraph, silver lined bugle beads were threaded onto the fine gauge wire after the wire was wrapped around one end of the earrings, then, when the beads were in place, the second end of the fine gauge wire was wrapped.  The wire component at left shows how seed beads could be used instead of bugle beads.  The bottom line is that once the wrap is completed, the earring's shape will be very permanent. 

 Most, but not all of the jewelry supplies shown here can be purchased in our WigJig store.  We try to have a complete selection of jewelry supplies in our store including chain, wire, glass beads, findings, watches, tools, etc.