Ruby Drop Earrings (A fusion bead design)
Valentines Earrings
This design is out of the Fusion beads, Inspiration Projects Gallery. I can’t find it though and I worry that they’ve pulled it from the gallery as I had issues with the design.
I LOVE these earrings. To make them you will need to order
SC3810 Ruby Swarovski Briolette Pendant (you’ll need 2)
SF0142 Fancy Ear Wires
SP2289 Vine prong Bail (you’ll need 2 of these as well)
When the pieces first came I was expecting this to be a 5 minute pair of earrings, perfect for Valentines Day and it still can be. There were two issues that I had with the design/instructions. In the original design, the fancy ear wires came down as far in the front as they do in the back. This pair doesn’t quite come down all the way. The hitch though was that the instructions said to open the loop on the ear wires and attach the pinch bails which seemed easy enough. However, the ear wires that they suggested using are closed, so you can’t open them. It’s an easy fix though, it just takes a steady hand, a gutsy attitude and a pair of wire cutters.
I thought about using a jump ring, but that would change the direction of the crystals, two jump rings would fix that but would alter the very sleek look of the earrings. While I was explaining this to Marathon Man, I turned my back to put away the groceries. When I turned back around, he was standing there with the wire cutters in his hand and a very pleased look on his face. Men, they don’t want to talk about problems, they just want to fix them. He’s awesome.
I emailed fusion and I received a very nice letter back from them. It seems they no longer carry the ear wires that were used in the original design. No worries though, you can still make a fabulous pair of earrings for a great price. Without any discounts these will only cost you $12.90 to make. Get on Fusion’s mailing list and chances are good you’ll be able to make these earrings for less. Fusion Beads constantly sends out coupon codes for good deals.
To make these earrings, the first things you will need to do is attach the pinch bails to the swarovski crystals. I eased the bails open ever so gently and then slipped the prongs in to the holes on either side of the swarovski crystals. I then used my nylon pliers to snug them up. Fusion has great instructions for doing that on their site.
Marathon man, very carefully cut the loop on the ear wires on the backside, close to the top. He opened it up, slipped in the bail and then closed it back up. He basically made a closed jump ring in to an open one.
These might be my new favorite new pair of earrings. I’ll definitely be wearing them on the 14th!
