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Chan Luu knockoff Earrings

Hello Sweets! I know, two posts in a day (it might snow later :D)! Today’s tutorial is a knockoff of earrings designed by Los Angeles-based jewelry designer, Chan Luu.

This is the original version, 14-karat gold-vermeil and semi-precious stone earrings by Chan Luu (photo credit: net-a-porter.com) Aren’t these earrings gorgeous?! The deep purple stones look perfect for fall. And even though they may look quite complicated to make, they are not – OK, the tutorial is quite lengthy, but each process is very easy. So… are you ready?
What you’ll need:

• 24 beads (I’m using 6mm Czech Fire Polish beads)
• 60 seed beads
• 2 drop beads
• a pair of ear wires
• 4 – 6 jump rings (see step16 for exact number)
• beading wire, about 70cm (I’m using 24 gauge Artistic Wire)
• (not in the photo) pair of flat-nose pliers, round-nose pliers and wire cutters

Instructions:

1) Cut the beading wire into 30cm length, and thread 4 seed beads.
2) Pass through the first bead so that it forms a loop.

3) Add a Fire Polish bead and 4 seed beads to one end of the wire.
4) Pass through the first bead to form a loop.

5) Add a Fire Polish bead and 4 seed beads to the other end of the wire, and pass through the fist bead to form a loop.
6) Add one Fire Polish bead and one seed bead to one end of the wire, and one Fire Polish bead to the other end of the wire.

7) Pass through the seed bead you just added.
8) Add one seed bead to one end, two seed beads to the other end of the wire.

9) Pass through the last bead you added to form a loop. Now you have one flower motif.
10) Repeat the steps to make 2 more flower motifs. At the end of the third flower, instead of making a small loop with seed beads, add three beads.

11) Pass through the last bead.
12) Wrap the wires around the seed beads to secure, then trim the excess wires.

13) Next, cut the beading wire into 10cm length, and thread a drop bead. Twist the wire twice above the bead.
14) Trim the shorter end of wire, and create a loop above the twist using round-nose pliers.

15) If the wire fit in the seed bead in the middle, thread the wire before winding the wire around below the loop.
16) If the wire doesn’t fit (like me), use jump rings to attach the drop bead to the seed bead.

17) Attach ear wires to the motif using jump rings, and you’re done!

Voila! It’s amazing how different the earrings look using different coloured beads! Mine look more winter-ish, don’t you think? Hope you enjoyed the tutorial (trust me, it’s so much easier than it sounds!), and have a lovely weekend!