Supplies needed
- 2 Concho Earring Post (94-1086-18)
- 2 Longhorn Charm (94-2576-18)
- 4 Flower Nugget Spacer Bead (93-0454-18)
- 2 Stitch-around Teardrop 20x30mm (94-2564-18)
- 2 Round Jump Ring 18ga 8mm ID (01-0026-18)
- 62 Round Jump Ring 20ga 4mm ID (01-0024-18)
- 20 2" 21ga Head Pin (01-0028-08)
- 20 Size 8 Seed Beads, red-brown (Semi-glazed Burnt Orange shown)
- 16 Gemstone 4mm Faceted Cube Bead (Blue Apatite shown)
Tools
- chain and/or flat nose pliers (2)
- round nose pliers
- flush cutters
Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Size: Approx. 2 3/4"
Designer: Tracy Proctor
Download the Longhorn Teardrop Earrings PDF
Watch the Demo Video: Longhorn Teardrop Earrings Jewelry Making Demo
Variation: silver and African Turquoise
Watch our technique videos on the TierraCast Blog (look for Simple Loops and Jump Rings).
Tip: When forming simple loops protect the top of the gemstone and seed beads with thumbnail to avoid cracking.
Steps
- Open all jump rings. Set aside.
- String 1 seed bead and 1 flower bead onto 1 head pin. Bend wire over at top of flower bead and form large (approx. 4mm or 3/16") simple loop, trimming excess wire. Repeat 3 times.
- Repeat Step 2 stringing 1 seed bead then 1 gemstone bead. Repeat 7 times.
- Repeat Step 2 stringing 1 gemstone bead then 1 seed bead. Repeat 7 times.
- Open loop of 1 dangle created in Step 3 (seed bead/gemstone) and attach to 1 teardrop. Close loop.
- After dangle attach three 4mm jump rings (JR).
- Repeat Steps 5-6 in the following order: *1 gemstone/seed bead dangle, 3 JR, 1 seed bead/flower bead dangle, 3 JR, 1 gemstone/seed bead dangle, 3 JR, 1 seed bead/gemstone dangle, 3 JR*.
- Attach * through * in reverse order. (There will be 6 JR at bottom center.)
- Open one 8mm JR and attach to bottom center of teardrop. Before closing attach 1 charm, then close JR.
- Open one 4mm JR and attach to loop of earring post. Before closing attach to top of teardrop, then close JR.
- Repeat Steps 5-10 for second earring.