Tassel Earrings made using Wire Lace and Swarovski Crystals
I have always been a sucker for anything sparkly. So when I started working here at Rings and Things, I soon became addicted to everything Swarovski! I know all the colors and all the shapes. Bronze Shade, Golden Shadow, Silver Night, Red Magma and of course the coveted Bermuda Blue! I dream of crystals. Seriously. I rarely leave work without buying a few new crystals. (Basically I get paid in crystals!) So here is my new fun crystal project!
Some of the different Swarovski Crystal Jams.
One thing we do here at Rings & Things are make these magical little baggies full of mixed Swarovski Crystals called crystal jams. I love crystal jams because they are carefully selected assortments that contain several colors that coordinate. I have been wanting to make something with one of the crystal jams for a while so when a co-worker suggested these tassel earrings, I couldn’t resist.
Supplies needed to make these lovely earrings.
The crystal jam I decided to use for this project is called Brown Sugar. It blends golden shades of topaz, beige and browns. I paired the crystals with chocolate Wire Lace, Vintaj findings, charms and niobium earring wires. I also use Hypo Cement to seal the edges of the Wire Lace.
Supplies needed:
- One Gross (144) Swarovski Crystal Jam Mix, 4mm bicones
- 1mm Wire Lace in a coordinating color
- Hypo Cement
- 2 fold-over crimp ends
- earring wires of your choice
- Optional decorative charms and beads
- Cardstock to make template
First make several templates from card stock. Start with a 3x3 inch square. Cut a triangle out of one corner of the square, leaving about an inch on each side. Create a stair pattern up the diagonal, making a new step at each 1/4 inch.
Start threading the crystals onto the wire lace. Make a slit on the top left to string the lace through after each new loop is made.
Place anywhere from 5 to 10 crystals per step on the template.
Keep going until you have the desired amount of loops for your tassle.
For this one, I used 8 bicones on each loop, and made 8 loops, so a total of 64 bicones per earring.
Tie the two ends together. Then wrap one end under all the loops and tie another secure square knot. This way all the loops are connected.
Remove tassel from the template. I found that the best way to do this is to cut away the template from the tassel. This is why you need to make several templates.
Trim excess Wire Lace and add a dab of Hypo Fabric Cement to secure the loose ends. Attach your fold-over crimp before the glue sets. Fold the crimp over using your chain nose pliers.
Finished Tassel Earrings! I used some beautiful shell pearls, large Vintaj bead caps, cute little Vintaj bird charms and niobium earring wires.
Well I hope you liked my tassel earrings! I think that this technique could really be applied to all different beads and cording so go nuts with it! Now I just need to figure out what to name these earrings…..
~~Tiffany in the Showroom