Design Inspiration Supplies

Design Instructions

kari-s-earrings.jpg

 

Supplies needed

  • 2    French Hook Ear Wire w/ Small Loop, 14/20 Gold Filled    (90-3110-01)
  • 2    Hammertone 16mm Cone    (94-5854-18)
  • Size 11 (11/0) seed beads in ten colors and white
  • Size 6 (6/0) seed beads in clear
  • 20ga craft wire, gold or brass
  • Hypo cement or adhesive of choice
  • Braided beading thread, 2 or 4 lb, or preferred beading thread.

Tools

  • Beading needle
  • Thread cutters
  • Chain nose pliers
  • Round nose pliers
  • Wire cutters

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: Approx. 6”

Designer: Kari Messerschmidt-Rogers, Mile High Beads

Download the Kari's Beaded Tassel Earrings PDF

keri-s-earrings-on-white-1200px.jpg

Watch our technique videos on the TierraCast Blog (look for video on wrapped loops).

 

Tip: When tying the strands together, use the pearl knotting technique with sharp tweezers to secure the knot close to the beads.

Steps

  1. Arrange your bead palette from light to dark.
  2. Cut one 16” strand of thread.
  3. Thread needle, then pick up 5 white beads, one of next shade in palette, one white, one next shade, and one white. (5 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B, 1 A)
  4. Repeat pattern of 5 A, 1 B, 1 A, 1 B, 1 A with the second shade used in Step 3 and the next shade in your palette.
  5. Repeat Step 4 through all shades of beads.
  6. Move beads so that last bead strung is at center of thread.
  7. Skipping last bead pass needle back through all beads. Adjust thread to take up slack.
  8. Remove needle. Set strand aside.
  9. Repeat Steps 2-8 eight more times, adding 3 more white beads at the beginning of each strand to graduate the colors and strand lengths.
  10. Carefully gather all strands together, making sure to take up all the slack.
  11. Twist entire length of threads together securely at top of beads and carefully tie an overhand knot right next to beads.
  12. Add drop of glue to knot. Allow to dry. Trim excess thread.
  13. Cut one 4” piece of craft wire. Curve wire up about 1 ½” from one end to form a hook.
  14. Thread hook underneath knot, then secure above knot by wrapping short wire end around long end once. Trim excess.
  15. String two seed beads of any color onto wire, then thread end up through bottom of one cone, pulling tassel securely into cone.
  16. String on one 6/0 bead and one 11/0 bead in a light shade. Bend wire over at top and use round nose pliers to form a wrapped loop. Trim excess wire.
  17. Open loop on one ear wire and attach to loop at top of one tassel.
  18. Repeat Steps 2-17 for second earring.