Sun Valley Earrings Tutorial
Created by: Mollie Valente
Designer Tips
- Measure and mark the hanging hole placement near the upper corners of the half-round blanks. These should be set back from the edge about 1/16".
- Use the hole punch pliers to punch holes at the marked positions.
- The half-circle blanks can be used as is, or textured/stamped/embossed to add pattern (see texturing suggestions below).
- Cut the length of wire into 2 equal pieces.
- Use a ring mandrel to bend a size-14 curve in the middle of each wire; this should result in two "U"-shaped pieces.
- Add four beads to each U-shaped piece.
- Form hanging loops in the U-shaped wire. The loops should face perpendicular to the metal blank's face.
- Attach the hanging loops to the punched holes in the blanks. Securely close the loops.
- Position the beads so there are two beads on each side of the wire.
- Twist open the ear wire loop and attach it to the top of U-shaped wire. Twist the ear-wire loop securely closed. Repeat.
- New to Jewelry-Making?
- For instructions on making loops, and most secure way to open and close jump rings, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).
- For additional earring-making tips, see Making Earrings 101 (PDF).

Suggested Supplies
- 2 each #44-722-25-0 Brass Stamping Blank, Half-Circle, 1-1/8"
- 1 spool (use 6") #47-205-20 Red Brass Jewelry Wire, 20ga, Round, 79'
- 1 hundred (use 8 pieces) #26-155-32-6 Antiqued Brass Plated Metal Beads, Rondelle, 3.2mm
- 1 gross (use 2 pieces) #34-840-02-0 Titanium Earring Hook Findings, Plain
Tools
- #69-238 EURO TOOL Hole Punch, Round, 1.5mm hole
- #69-151 Plastic Ring Mandrel, Ungrooved (size 14 or so)
- #65-553-00 The Beadsmith Microfine Plier Set, Four Piece tool kit
- fine-point marking pen
Add pattern with DecoEmboss dies with your embossing machine:
- #69-325-011 Vintaj DecoEmboss Die, Acorn Hollow - Limited Availability
- #69-325-032 Sizzix DecoEmboss Dazzle Pattern Embossing Die - Limited Availability
- #69-325-029 Vintaj DecoEmboss Organic Texture Embossing Die - Limited Availability
- #69-294 EURO TOOL 3" Square Block for Making Jewelry
- #69-346 EURO TOOL Hammer, Brass, 1lb
- #69-246-40 ImpressArt Metal Stamp Set, Henna Mandala Pack
- #69-246-30 ImpressArt Metal Stamp Set, Mandala Series 1
- #69-246-41 ImpressArt Metal Stamp Set, Southwestern Mandala Pack
- #69-246-43 ImpressArt Metal Stamp Set, Celtic Mandala Pack
Add a patina and polish:
- #86-431-11-001 ImpressArt Stamp Enamel Marker - Black
- #63-537 EURO TOOL Polishing Cloth, Brilliant
Jan 1st 2021
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