Thursday, May 2, 2013

Handmade Earring Wires With a Vintage Touch

I recently wrote a post on my Gemstone Drop Jewelry - a collection of my gemstone pendants and drop earrings.  The earrings are all made with my handmade earring wires in either antique bronzed copper or oxidized silver.  Well, I made so many pairs of earrings for this collection that I used up my supply of handmade ear wires I made a while back.  So this week I have made another batch and thought to share them with you all.

I prefer a vintage look so chose a copper wire with a burnished or bronzed finish.  For the silver, I started with a bright silver wire and then after making the earring wires, oxidized them for an antiqued look.  I use liver of sulfur to oxidize my metals, but for a quick easy DIY way to oxidize metal, you can actually use a hard boiled egg in a plastic bag ... you can read one of my old posts on how to do this here.

It might seem ridiculous to some, but it is always amazing for me to see plain wire transformed into something pretty and useful like earring wires.


And then to take the transformed wires and add some beautiful drops and dangles for a finished jewelry design ... like these:



In case anyone is interested in making your own earring wires, I have a previous post on How To Make Fish Hook Style Earring Wires.  

Thanks so much for visiting!



16 comments:

  1. You know I don't do any jewelry design at all, but I am fascinated with how you do it. I went and read the tutorial, goodness, so many steps, I appreciate your talent even more! Thank you for the congrats on my dress form business opportunity, you just never know where this blogging will take us.......I haven't heard from Anthropology yet, waiting for them to order 500 dress forms lol!

    Carol

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    1. Yes, we never know where blogging will land us but I am betting that the dress form business if going to start booming for you ... if not from Anthropology there will likely be others. Will be following to see what happens.

      Thanks!
      Irene

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  2. Hi Irene,
    Love this info on the earring wires. Your designs are gorgeous. I worked on jewelry many years ago and you inspire me to try some new projects for gifts.
    Happy Designing.
    Hugs, CM

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    1. I am not surprised Celestina that you have also done jewelry in the past - you have so many creative talents!

      Thanks for visiting!
      Irene

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  3. Your work is always so beautiful! I have short chubby fingers so making jewelry is hard for me. lol! Seriously, it really is. We made a necklace from a flattened spoon in St. George last weekend. I had to have help. One might say I am HAND i capped.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Well, even if jewelry is not your thing, you certainly have some other amazing talents - like what you did with burlap in your recent post!

      Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! LOL!
      Irene

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  4. Your work is so pretty and I really appreciate your visit. Hope to see you lots. Have a super sweet and creative weekend. :)

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    1. Thank you Lynne. Love your blog and your creativity! Thanks for visiting!

      Irene

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  5. Beautiful!!

    As you nurse, you know what I am talking about. And yes, I have a lot of sad stories too.....And some heart warming ones....
    Thanks so much for coming by!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    1. Thank you Debbie. So glad to have found you and your Blog!
      Irene

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  6. Oh what a pretty idea! I cant wait to try this out!

    http://erinbulger.blogspot.ca/

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    1. Thanks Erin ... let me know how your earrings turn out! Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Irene

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  7. I've never attempted to make my own earring wires, but it's been on that long "to do" list. Thank you so much for the inspiration...love your jewelry.

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    1. I know what you mean about that "to do" list - mine is also quite long! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

      Irene

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  8. I'm like you. I like the vintage look too. I'm going to try this technique. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Maggie. Yes, I always gravitate toward the vintage look. Thanks for stopping by!

      Irene

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