It is easy to create a connector with Soft Flex Beading Wire. You may use Craft Wire or a metal connector for earring designs. We think using Soft Flex is even better. You have the option of working with color when using beading wire. You also have a flexibility that Craft Wire does not have. Soft Flex is very strong. Your earrings will be incredibly durable. Creating a connector is even easier when using Magical Crimping Pliers. You no longer need a crimp cover and the finished crimp has a stunning finish!
These earrings are simple and quick to make. If you opt to make some, we would love to see your work! Join our Facebook group – VIB – and post your photos. VIB is a wonderful community of bead stringers, wire wrappers, and artists. If you would like more design ideas, make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Quick and Easy Earrings Using Magical Crimping Pliers (Soft Flex Connector)
Designer Sara Oehler
Skill Level Beginner
Over the weekend, I got an email question about what to do with a gemstone bead or briolette that has a really small hole. Using a thinner gauge of craft wire can be a little scary because it is so soft and easily broken. My suggestion is to use the .014 diameter in Soft Flex beading wire to make a connector.
It should be noted that I used the Magical Crimpers with .014 in this project because I was passing through the crimp tube 3 times. In most cases, people only pass the wire through a crimp 1-2 times. In those cases, the Magical Crimpers do not work well with .014. The manufacturer suggests only .019 and .024.
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Materials
Soft Flex Extreme Flex Wire in .014 Fine
2x2mm Gold Filled Crimp Tubes - 2 tubes
Gold Ear Wires - 2 wires
Gemstone Beads - 2 beads
Tools
Magical Crimping Pliers
Cutters
Chain Nose Pliers
Instructions
Step 1: String one crimp tube, one bead and then pass back through the crimp tube.
Step 2: Pass one wire back through the crimp tube for a third time to create the second half of the connector.
Step 3: Crimp the tube using the Magical Crimpers. Click here for Magical Crimping Pliers instructions. Trim the excess wire.
Step 4: Use a pair of chain nose pliers to open the ring on the ear wire and slip the connector onto the earring.
Tah-dah! It is super easy but a great way to connect a fancy gemstone bead to an ear wire or a chain. You can also do this with the regular crimping pliers and apply 3mm crimp covers to make the round bead. The Magical Crimpers just make it quick and easy!
Magical Connector Earrings
Designer Sara Oehler
Skill Level Beginner
Materials
Soft Flex Beading Wire, .019 Diameter - 6"
Ear Wires - 1 pair
2x2mm Crimp Tubes - 4 pcs
Links of Chain - 2 pcs
Beads - 2 pcs
Tools
Magical Crimping Pliers
Cutters
Instructions
Step 1: Use a 3” length of wire to string a crimp tube and a chain link. Pass the wire back through the crimp tube. Snug the crimp to the chain link and crimp the tube using the Magical Crimping Pliers.
Click here for Magical Crimping Pliers instructions. Trim excess wire.
Step 2: String a bead.
Step 3:Use the wire to string a crimp tube and an ear wire. Pass the wire back through the crimp tube. Snug the crimp to the bead and crimp the tube using the Magical Crimping Pliers. Trim excess wire.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 1-3 for second earring.
Quartz Dangles
Designer Jamie Hogsett
Skill Level Beginner
Materials
Garnet Soft Flex Beading Wire .019 diameter - 12"
2x2mm Sterling Silver Crimp Tubes - 8 pcs
3mm Sterling Silver Crimp Covers - 8 pcs
Silver Plated Ear Wires - 1 pair
20x12mm Clear Quartz Simple Cut Nuggets - 4 pcs
Tools
Cutters
Crimping Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
Instructions
Finished Size: 2 1/4"
Step 1: Use 3" of beading wire to string 1 crimp tube. Pass back through the tube, forming a small loop of wire. Crimp the crimp tube. Trim the wire end. Cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover.
Step 2: String 1 quartz nugget and 1 crimp. Snug the crimp bead close to the bead, and crimp.
Step 3: Cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover. Trim the wire end.
Step 4: Use 3" of beading wire to string 1 crimp tube and the loop of wire formed in Step 1. Pass back through the tube, forming a small loop of wire. Crimp the crimp tube, trim the wire end, and cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover.
Step 5: String 1 quartz nugget and 1 crimp tube. Pass back through the tube, leaving a small loop of wire. Crimp the crimp tube, trim the wire end, and cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover.
Step 6: Attach 1 ear wire to the previous loop of beading wire.
Step 7: Repeat Steps 1-6 for the second earring.
Chain and Crystal Earrings
Designer Sara Oehler
Skill Level Beginner
Materials
Soft Flex Beading Wire, .019 diameter - 6"
Ear Wires - 1 pair
2x2mm Crimp Tubes - 2 to 4 pcs
3mm Crimp Covers - 2 to 4 pcs
Chain
Swarovski Crystals - 0 to 2 pcs
Tools
Crimping Pliers
Cutters
Chain Nose Pliers
Instructions
34 inch oval and round textured silver plated copper chain.
Earring with no crystal.
Earring with crystal.
Make it your own! Try a bead from your stash - gemstones, czech glass even a size 8/0 seed bead could look fabulous in this design. And with 24 different colors of Soft Flex to choose from, the possibilities are limitless!
Pea Soup Earrings
Designer Jamie Hogsett
Skill Level Beginner
Materials
Extreme 925 Sterling Silver Plated Beading Wire, .019 Diameter
Sterling Silver Ear Wires - 1 pair
2x2mm Sterling Silver Crimp Tubes - 4 pcs
3mm Sterling Silver Crimp Covers - 4 pcs
Oval and Round Textured Silver Plated Copper Chain - 2 pcs
18mm Green Ceramic Charms - 2 pcs
Tools
Cutters
Crimping Pliers
Instructions
Finished Size: 2 3/4"
Step 1: Use 3" of wire to string 1 crimp tube to the center of the wire. Use one end of the wire to string 1 chain link. Pass back through the crimp tube; do not crimp. Use the other end of the wire to string 1 ceramic charm. Pass back through the crimp tube. Adjust the wires to your desired loop size. Crimp the crimp tube, and then cover the tube with a crimp cover.
Step 2: Use 3" of wire to string 1 crimp tube to the center of the wire. Use one end of the wire to string the previous chain link. Pass back through the crimp tube; do not crimp. Use the other end of the wire to string 1 ear wire. Pass back through the crimp tube. Adjust the wires to your desired loop size. Crimp the crimp tube, and then cover the tube with a crimp cover.
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the second earring.
Join the fun in our VIB Facebook Group today! Stay in the know. Stay up to date. From our bead shows to our video shows and sales, you can stay in touch with us. The community is full of artistic and helpful beaders and crafty people. Inspire and be inspired. Share your pictures and get the beading bug from others!
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Blog contributor Thomas Soles is the Trade Show Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. His favorite stones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Tom Selleck's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com