This project is great for beginners looking to use their wire jig for the first time. It introduces making basic shapes and are finished using very simple techniques.

‘Daisy’ earrings are a great first project using your wire jig. The silver ‘petals’ are off set by the gold at the center of the daisy and these little flowers look as good from the front as they do from the back. We have turned these into earrings, however they would also make lovely scarf pins or pendants.

These earrings are extremely straightforward to make, using a very simple and basic shape. The center of the daisy has been made by wrapping thin wire between the ‘petals’.

These earrings can be adapted to hang off of ear wires or ear pins, depending on personal taste. The daisy earrings can be hung directly off of an ear fitting without the need of a jump ring. These daisy earrings work particularly well when hung on long ear wires or hoop earrings.

The earrings can be made in any type of wire. Varying the wire will change the finished feel of the earrings. If made in brightly colored craft wires, the finished effect will be fun and funky. For a more classic finish, the earrings can be made in silver or gold wire. The choice is yours! The earrings in the picture have been made with fine silver wire and with the center being worked in gold plated silver wire. As the earrings use just a tiny amount of wire, they present a good way to practice using precious metal items and won’t be too hard on your purse!

To make a pair of daisies approximately .4inches / 1cm in size:

Equipment required:

Wire Jig

Pliers

Hammer and cloth (or jeweler’s mallet)

Materials

For the daisy - 1 foot (30 cms) wire. You need a fairly thick wire so use a wire between AWG 18 & 20 (.8mm to 1mm).

For the center - 2 feet (60cms) thin wire – approximately AWG 32 (.2mm).

1 pair of ear wires

2 Jump rings (if required)

Instructions

1. Set four pins on your wire jig so they form a square. For the tiny daisies shown, the pins were placed next to each other with no gaps.
2. Make a starting loop and place this over your first peg, wrap the wire around each peg starting from the middle to the outside so the wire bends round on itself. The finished shape can be seen in the picture above.
3. Continue working until you are back at the first pin. It is important that the cut ends of the wire are in the middle of the shape – this means that they are hidden behind the wire that forms the center of the daisy.
4. Snip the ends of the wire (it won’t matter if they overlap slightly).
5. Using the cloth as a barrier between the wire and the hammer, tap the work to temper or harden it. Use a firm surface to work on when hammering – and one where the odd knock won’t hurt!
6. Take the thin wire and start to wrap it between the petals. Build this up as evenly as possible, continuing until a bump is formed and you are pleased with the effect.
7. Repeat to make the second earring.
8. To fix the daisies to ear wires or hooks, gently twist open the ring on the end of your ear fitting and then close it around one of the daisy petals.

Variation:

These earrings can be varied by making one of the petals a figure of 8 shape and using the upper part of the ‘8’ to hang off the ear fitting.

For more information about findings suitable for use with wire jewelry please see the Suite101 article here.

Another simple, yet effective, earring project can be seen at this Suite101 'Beaded Ear Wire' project here.