DIY Network

Spacey Silver Earrings by Bill Gallagher From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-409

Guest jewelry artist Bill Gallagher creates a pair of bold, yet simple '60s style earrings.

Materials --

2" x 2" sterling silver sheet, 24-gauge, polished
Beads or pearls (half-drilled is best, but full-drilled is also okay)
6" sterling silver round wire, 20-gauge

Tools --

Pilot ultra-fine point permanent marking (no Xylene SCA-UF)
Center punch
Hammer
Steel bench block
Jewelers saw with size 4/0 blades
Bench pin
Drill with #60 and #55 bits
Hand file
Needle file
Wire cutters
Flat-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Draw your design on the metal with the special marking pen.

2. Saw out the outside shape and file edges smooth.

3. Mark your drill holes (one for the ear hook and the other for the bead) with the center punch on the bench block (figure A).

4. Drill holes with #55 bit (figure B).

5. Insert the saw blade through hole and saw out interior space, leaving tab for bead, and file smooth.

   Note: Before you begin or finish your sawing, make sure you have chosen a bead that has an opening wide enough to fit over the tab.

6. Bend out tab slightly, insert bead, and then bend back in (figure C) so that the bead fits snugly inside sawn out shape.

7. Cut two pieces of wire, each 1-3/4" long, file one end flat and the other end into a smooth point. Bend with pliers into ear hooks.

8. Open loop of ear hook and attach to ornament and your pendant is finished.

9. This technique can be used to create necklaces, bracelets and earrings you will love to wear (figure D).

RESOURCES :

Silver Disks
Rio Grande
Phone: 800-545-6566
Website: www.riogrande.com

You can also choose to make your silver disks from Precious Metal Clay that is available from PMC Supply

GUESTS :

Bill Gallagher
Owner
BillyBob Nonessentials
Email: info@billgallagher.net
Website: www.billgallagher.net