Beaded Teardrop Earrings

I have only recently gotten into different types of crafty projects. Originally I was all about making jewelry - mainly earrings but I've done necklaces too. My mom and I took a 1 hour class one summer while I was in college on how to make simple dangle earrings (basically how to do a wrap) and after that we just learned by trial and error to make all sorts of different earrings and share ideas on stuff we tried. I am going to start highlighting some of the jewelry I have made on my blog :)

This is one of my favorite new earring types I have made - beaded teardrops!

Here is what you need:
-beads - I use seed beads from walmart/michaels that come in a big pack
-beading wire - I use Beadalon .018"
-2 crimp beads
-2 metal teardrop things with holes in the bottom (pkg says cable thimble sleeves)
-2 earring hooks
-crimper tool
-flat nose jewelry tool
-jewelry wire cutters

Count out as many beads as you want for each of your teardrops and string them onto the wire. You can try out different amounts and bend the wire to see what it would look like. Cut the wire leaving space at both ends. Hold the 2 ends together so it looks like the teardrop shape and feed the 2 ends into the same end of the crimp bead. Take your little metal teardrop and feed only one of the wire ends up through the metal teardrop and back down into the crimp bead.

Feeding the wire up one side of the cable thimble - next you go back down the other hole and into crimp bead

At this point you really have 3 metal wires in the crimp bead. Pull the wire tight so you have a very small loop -this part can be a bit tricky (one end will be sticking out of the top of the crimp bead and the other end will be sticking out of the bottom). Use your crimp tool to clamp down tightly on the crimp bead until it is crimped. Trim the 2 ends of wire as close as you can with wire cutters.

Attach an earring hook by opening the loop at the bottom of the hook with the flat nose pliers and hooking the metal teardrop onto the now open loop. Now close the loop back with the pliers. TA-DA! Wonderful teardrop earrings. Actually you have to repeat these steps so you get 2 earrings :)

I made mine orange for Clemson games of course! These make great gifts as well especially since you can personalize them in whatever colors and size you desire.

Linking up here:
Making the World Cuter Mondays, The DIY Showoff, Today's Creative Blog, All Thingz Related, Spotlight Yourself @ It's So Very Cheri, Creations by Kara, Blue Cricket Design, Hooking up w/HoH, Somewhat Simple,  Remodelaholics Anonymous, JAG Show and Share Day, Frugalicious Friday,  FrouFrouDecor, Fingerprints on the Fridge,  Weekend Wrap Up Party, Sunday Showcase Party