Sunday, December 14, 2014

Christmas Berries - Day 7 - Twelve Days of Christmas

Well, we are now into the second half of the Twelve Days of Christmas Earrings Extravaganza for 2014. December is just wizzing by, as it always seems to do, so let's recap the first six pairs of earrings before moving on to Day 7:
Day 1 - Gifts from the Orient ;
Day 2 - Bright Red Christmas Ornaments;
Day 3 - Whimsical Candy Canes;
Day 4 - Bauble Earrings;
Day 5 - Jewel Trees; and
Day 6 - Golden, Wire Wrapped Christmas Trees

With all the celebrations and Christmas parties that are going on, I hope you've found a pair of earrings amongst these that is just perfect for your outfit. But if not, then perhaps Day 7's Christmas Berries will be just the right ones for you!


Here's what you'll need:
Tools: chain nose pliers, flat nose pliers, round nose pliers, flush cutters.

Cut a 60cm (23 1/2") length of wire . Bend the wire 7.5cm (3") from one end and string on a bead from the long end. Slide it along to the bend and the then bend the wire on the other side of the bead.

Bring the two wires together in the middle of the bead and pinch them together.

Next, hold the bead in your hand and twist it two or three times.

Hold the wire approximately 2cm (3/4") from the bead and twist the end. This will be the end point for this wire.

Now finish the twist by holding the bead in one hand and the end point in the other and twist the wire evenly.

Bend the wire at the end point and place it alongside the first bead. Bend it at the same point as the first bead.

String another bead , slide it along to the bend and bend the wire where it exits the bead .

Pinch the wires together as before and twist two or three times.

Hold the long wire against the end of the first twisted wire and twist the end point as before. Complete the twist. String and twist six more beads in the same manner, making some slightly shorter than the first two.

Gather the twisted wires into a neat bundle and wrap the long wire around them several times.

String the star bead cap and spacer bead onto the wires. Twist the wires.

Use the chain nose pliers to create a neck just above the spacer bead.

Wrap the wire around the round nose pliers to create a loop.

Wrap the wire neatly around the neck to firm up all the components. Trim the wire close to the neck.

String four bicones on the eye pin and bend it a 90° angle.

Trim the end to 1cm (3/8") and turn a simple loop.

Open the loop and attach the berry component. Attach the other end of the eye pin to the earring wire and make a second earring to match.

Aren't these just gorgeous? Red berries are synonymous with Christmas in both the northern and the southern hemispheres. And whilst there may not be any snow on the ground, holly to decorate our homes or mistletoe to kiss under in Australia, our Christmas berries come in the form of all the delicious summer berries that are available at this time of the year - such a treat!

I'll be back in a couple of days with Day 8's earrings - I hope you'll check back to see what they are!

'Til next time.....








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