Welcome to Part 2 of the Pearls on the Halfshell Series.

In Part 1, we made the Pearl Components for the Earrings and the Pendant using a modified version of the Tubular Herringbone Bead Weaving Stitch.

In Part 2, you will learn to finish the Component using the Simple Loop and Wrapped Loops Techniques to finish the Components. 

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If you are new to Basic Wire Working Skills or need a refresher, you may want to read these posts first.

If you are just joining in, the Intro post has all the info you need to get started, including the full Materials and tool list. 

The Project is presented to you in Five parts:

Tools and Materials for Part 2

Materials

  • 18 inches – 22 Gauge Jewelry Wire
  • 3 – 2 inch Head Pins
  • 2 – 4mm Round Crystal Beads – Metallic Antique Silver
  • 1 – 6 mm Round Crystal Bead – Metallic Antique Silver
  • 3 – 15 mm Crystal Teardrop Beads – Faceted Metallic Antique Silver 
  • 12 – 8/0 Seed Beads – Czech Glass Hematite
  • 9 – 15/0 Seed Beads – Toho Perm. Finish Galvanized Aluminum

Tools

  • Flush Cutters
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Chain Nose Pliers
  • Flat Nose or Chain Nose Pliers
  • Sharpie Pen to Mark your Pliers
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The placement of the Wire into each component is very important to the design.

To begin, I start by working from the spool or coil of wire without cutting each piece separate.

If you are not comfortable with that, you can simply cut a piece. I suggest that you start with 8 inches each for the earring components and 10 for the pendant. 

 

You will have some waste but you don’t want to wind up with too little. You want your wraps to be even on each end and each component.

Directions for the Earrings

For the Top Loop

  • Cut a flush end on the wire first.
  • Insert the wire between the two 8/0 beads of Row 1, directly behind the Right Angle Weave Unit on the end of the Bead Work.
  • Push gently through the Pearl.
  • Using your finger to guide the Beads on the opposite end, push the wire through the two 8/0 beads on the last Row, and behind the RAW unit on this end. 
  • Pick up 8/0 – 15/0 – 4 mm – 15/0 Beads and drop them down to the Component.
  • Measure down 1 and 1/2 inches from the end of the wire and use your Chain Nose Pliers to make your L shaped bend.
  • Place the bend on the marked spot of your Round Nose Pliers and form you loop.
  • Make a Wire Wrapped Loop with 2 and 1/2 wraps.
  • Cut the excess and tuck the sharp end. 

The initial wrap should be as close to the the point where the wires cross over as possible. 

Keep the wraps tight and make sure they do not overlap. 

If you need help with this technique, check out Perfecting the Wire Wrapped Loop or get the Guide in my Shop for more detailed instructions.

Directions for the Bottom Loop

If working from the spool, push the beads and component up to the first loop, measure 2 inches of wire and cut from spool.

  • Turn the wire so that the first loop is down and push the work up against the first loop.
  • Pick up an 8/0 and a 15/0 and slide them down to the component.
  • Grasp the wire with your Chain Nose Pliers directly above the 15/0 and push the wire over to form the L shape. 
  • Place the bend on the marked spot of your Round Nose Pliers and form you loop.
  • Make a Wire Wrapped Loop with 2 and 1/2 wraps.
  • Cut the excess and tuck the sharp end. 

Both Loops should be facing in the same direction as shown here. 

You can use 2 sets of your Pliers to adjust the loops if needed. 

Repeat the steps above for the 2nd Earring Component.

Directions for the Pendant

The directions for the Pendant are exactly the same with the exception of the Crystal Bead.

On the Top Loop of the Pendant replace the 4 mm Crystal with the 6 mm Crystal and follow all the steps as with the earrings. 

The Dangle Drops

Using the Head Pins, the dangles are made using a the remaining Seed and the Teardrop Beads. 

I made these using the Simple Loop Technique. 

If you need help with this technique, check out the Perfecting the Simple Loop post or get the Guide in my Shop, for more detailed instructions.

  • Thread an 8/0 – Drop Bead – 8/0 onto the head pin as shown.
  • Measure up 3/8 inch from the last bead and flush cut the head pin.
  • Use the Pliers of your choice to make your Simple Loop.
  • Repeat for the other two Dangles. 
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  • Remember to center the loop properly over the shank of the wire.
  • Open the loop by pushing to the side.
  • Attach to the bottom loop of your component.
  • Close the Loop back to center. 

So that is it for Part 2 of Pearls on the Halfshell.

Join me for Part 3 to make the Ear Wires and Part 4 for the Beaded Link Chain.