How To Use Earring Connectors To Make A Necklace
Today I want to show you a few different ideas of how to use jewellery findings when making jewellery.
I decided to use the small hoop earring component and S Hook with our new glitter faux suede, as I’ve been itching to use it ever since I saw it!
Using three lengths of the glitter faux suede.
To start, I folded the suede ends over to create a loop. Then, with the 0.6mm (22 gauge) non tarnish craft wire, I made a few wraps to seal the loops and repeated this on the other end of the suede cord.
Forming the craft wire curves
You can see that I’ve made three separate curves to form the main part of the necklace, using 1mm (18 ga) non tarnish craft wire for a sturdy finish.
To create the curves
- I placed the craft wire around a bottle to create the curves, as this works perfectly and kept the same shape for each piece.
- Make a loop at either end to attach your jump rings to.
- Flatten the craft wire with a hammer.
- Wrap your Czech glass beads around the flattened curved wire using 4mm wire craft (26ga).
Using Earring Connectors
Once you have finished wrapping the glass beads around the curved wire, attach 5mm jump rings to the flattened loops and then link them all together using a large 12mm jump ring.
Now for the creative bit! Instead of using another jump ring to connect the necklace together, use an earring component. This gives an interesting detail to the necklace and provides a unique feature in place of a regular connector.
Do you remember the faux suede at the beginning with the wrapped wire around it? Well, now you’re going to need this to create the rest of the necklace.
Start by attaching a 12mm jump ring to each of the faux suede, which will then connect the two sections of your necklace together.
The rest of the necklace is made by using 4mm Czech glass faceted beads and size 11/0 Miyuki Seed beads threaded onto 7 strand bronze Beadalon size 0.15 in 0.38 mm. Finish this off with crimp beads and calottes to complete the ends.
I have placed the S hook at the front of the necklace, which is quite popular with jewellery designers, to make the fastening a feature rather than hiding at the back of your neck. If you are making your own findings, you definitely want to show them off!
To finish, I added some Swarovski Crystal drops. I used a wrapped loop to create a lovely effect and attached these with 5mm jump rings to the 12mm jump ring on the flattened loop.
I got a little bit carried away and decided to make a pair of earrings and a bracelet, too. I used a stud and loop finding to allow these to hang with a perfect curve.
Don’t worry about making your jewellery exactly symmetrical. As you can see with the necklace and bracelet, it can add to the design and create striking focal points. Also, don’t be afraid to mix textures and sizes. The combination of delicate Miyuki seed beads and large faux suede makes for an interesting piece to look at and wear.
We hope you are feeling inspired and ready to create something unique and a little bit out there.
Go on, dare to be different!
Emily Kersh
In House Designer
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