This is a little update on a past tutorial, but I love this design and it’s a great way to introduce precious metal into your DIY jewelry making practice! Please note that this tutorial contains affiliate links.
You’ll need the following tools and materials to make your sterling silver stud earrings:
1: Some sterling silver Wire. I used round silver wire that was 0.8mm in diameter.
https://amzn.to/3M8aQza
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=10781&awinaffid=1029234&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fau%2Flisting%2F212830213%2Fsterling-silver-round-half-hard-wire-16%3Fga_order%3Dmost_relevant%26ga_search_type%3Dall%26ga_view_type%3Dgallery%26ga_search_query%3Dsterling%2Bsilver%2Bwire%26ref%3Dsc_gallery-1-1%26pop%3D1%26sts%3D1%26plkey%3Df06a8b8a3d0dacf1f6003b27203662b369fa0af8%253A212830213
2: Pliers. I used my cutting pliers to cut the wire and flat nose pliers to bend it into shape.
https://amzn.to/3zgL4pt
3: A Hammer. I used this jewellery hammer that has a flat face on one side and a pointed end on the other.
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=10781&awinaffid=1029234&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fau%2Flisting%2F529452126%2Friveting-hammer%3Fga_order%3Dmost_relevant%26ga_search_type%3Dall%26ga_view_type%3Dgallery%26ga_search_query%3Djewelry%2Briveting%2Bhammer%26ref%3Dsr_gallery-1-1%26cns%3D1%26sts%3D1%26organic_search_click%3D1
4: A steel block.
https://ebay.us/a9F9SJ
5: A file or some sandpaper, this is to make sure your earrings don’t have sharp ends after cutting them.
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=10781&awinaffid=1029234&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fau%2Flisting%2F129527852%2Flarge-file-no-2-cut-from-vintaj%3Fga_order%3Dmost_relevant%26ga_search_type%3Dall%26ga_view_type%3Dgallery%26ga_search_query%3Djewellery%2Bfile%26ref%3Dsr_gallery-1-4%26frs%3D1%26organic_search_click%3D1
6: Sterling silver earring backs, to secure the studs in your ear lobes.
https://amzn.to/3tatAaF
7: A ruler and marker pen for measuring and marking your wire before cutting and shaping it.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/123022069747?hash=item1ca4afcff3%3Ag%3AeaAAAOSwpFtaqkKx&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkGXOA7hfD52%2BAQEIHHLgnHcXNyizu%2B%2BTU9v6NBlpJOkPMUumpQIv3kdw8GrDLjUmvLqparDsq68dbjuzKvhhaaGdLHIiDbc9AD%2FIMn3gwJDwC3ekH1O1EDzCvsUwPEwlTlZZAEK%2BHPc69I%2Bz6xasECUW%2FWUhWIYLLZzP4BU5gcwt6%2FuxmDAtqh0P%2BXGL%2BFMe2Q%3D%3D&mkcid=1&mkrid=705-53470-19255-0&siteid=15&campid=5338929267&customid=5338929267&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
https://amzn.to/3NS7Vfk
8: A silver polishing cloth.
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=10781&awinaffid=1029234&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fau%2Flisting%2F1131137891%2Fpolishing-cloth-55x55cm-jewelry%3Fga_order%3Dmost_relevant%26ga_search_type%3Dall%26ga_view_type%3Dgallery%26ga_search_query%3Dsilver%2Bpolishing%2Bcloth%26ref%3Dsc_gallery-1-3%26plkey%3De0d86ab9951180604ffaf92a4946e267868eede4%253A1131137891
Follow these steps to make your own sterling silver stud earrings:
1: Lay the wire out next to the ruler and mark where you want to cut it, I marked mine at 2cm.
2: Cut the wire at the marked point using the cutting pliers.
3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 so that you have a second piece of wire trimmed to the same length.
4: Using the ruler again, mark the wire at the point where you want to flatten it, I marked mine at about 6mm from the end. This section will be the hammered front of your earrings.
5: Put the wire on the steel block and hammer the shorter part of the wire that you marked off. I am not holding the wire in this picture, but you will need to hold it still while you flatten the end, so be careful not to hit your fingers. Repeat this for both pieces of wire.
6: Once you are happy with the hammered section, and if you have a hammer like mine with a pointed end, you can turn it over and hit the hammered section with the smaller edge to give it more texture.
7: Once you are happy with your hammering, it is time to bend the wires into shape. Hold the flat end of the wire with the flat nose pliers and then bend the longer part gently down using your fingers. Use the side of the pliers to get the wire relatively square. Repeat this for both pieces of wire.
8: Now your earrings have been hammered and bent into shape, you can file the ends round using your file or sandpaper (or even both). File until you have a nice rounded surface that doesn’t feel sharp at all.
10: At this point, you can grab a silver polishing cloth and give your earrings a little rub to give them some more shine. After this, all that’s left to do it add the earring backs and they’re good to go!
Here are the finished earrings, plus some others I made using different types of wire!
The post Here’s how to make a pair of Silver Stud Earrings at home using some sterling silver wire! appeared first on DIY Jewelry Hub.
