How to Open a jumpring.

I didn't learn this til late in the game. It was so nice to know when I did finally learn it. And if you're interested in trying your hand at chainmaille jewelry, this is a simple must-know!

How to open (and close) a jump ring.

You need two pliers. I use my chain nose and my flat nose pliers. You can also use bent nose pliers rather than chain nose as I explain here. Whatever works best for you!

Grasp your lil' jump ring with both pliers on either side of the cut and twist open like so:

It's important that you don't pull the jump ring from the seam as it will misshape the ring. Twist one of the pliers up and one of the pliers down. This will be your open ring:

Be sure to close it the same way. Your nice round jump ring will remain nice and round and it will be simple to make it flush and appear seamless.

So simple, right? Life as you know it just got a tiny bit easier.

Simple Dangles Tutorial

My first tutorial! Brace yourselves.

We'll be making these:

You'll need the basic 3 and these materials:

2 ear wires

2 headpins

2 brown pearl beads

2 green disc beads

Take 1 headpin and slip on the green disc followed by the brown pearl:

Take your chain nose pliers and clench the headpin just above the brown bead with the tip of your pliers:

Bend the wire down to a 90 degree angle with your free hand:

Put your chain nose pliers down. It's your round nose pliers' turn.

Grasp the wire with your round nose pliers just beyond the bend. Roll the wire in the opposite direction:

Continue to grasp the wire with the round nose pliers. Using your free hand, wrap the wire around the pliers to make a complete circle, keeping the wire snug against the pliers:

Reposition your pliers to grasp the loop you just made. Using either your hand or - I recommend - your chain nose pliers, wrap the wire around the stem...

...until the wire is snug with the brown pearl (about 3 times around). This wire certainly loves to snuggle.

Use your wire cutters (or flush cutters) to trim the wire:

Note: the flat side of the cutters are what make the flush cut, so make sure you're using the flat side closest to the earring.

You have your dangle!

Now to make it useful. Grab an ear wire and use your chain nose pliers to open the loop:

 Open it to the side. This will keep the loop in tact:

Slide your dangle in and close the loop just the way you opened it:

(I'd show you a two-handed shot, but do you know how hard it is to get my husband to pick up his socks?? After asking him to help take pics twice, I decided it was a losing battle. Sorry!)

Your completed dangle earring!

Generally people wear a pair of earrings. I am aware of this. Simply scroll up and repeat!

Thank you so much for joining me for my first tutorial! Now you know how to make a simple pair of earrings. If you have any questions, please ask! And if you just want to buy these earrings, that's also an option. Again, just ask!

Happy creating!

Linking to this party.