Chandelier earrings are wardrobe mainstays and it just takes a few basic skills to create your own findings from wire. In this Beading Lesson, I'll show you how!

To get started, you'll need some 20-gauge Artistic Wire, a wire jig, round nose pliers and wire cutters. 20-gauge wire is fairly easy to work with but it is strong enough that the loops will hold their shape.

Let's start with a Celtic Knot. This style is fun because it can be used by itself or with beads to make a more dramatic chandelier component. Set up the pegs so there's one at the top in the center. In the next row down, place two pegs on either side of the center peg. Repeat for the next row down. Then, place one peg in the center of the next row down.

Cut a 5" piece of wire. Place it in a hole near the lower peg and wrap the wire around the lower peg. Make criss-cross figure 8's on the next two rows of pegs, then make a loop by wrapping around the upper peg. Remove the wire from the jig and cut off the extra. Squeeze the loops and figure 8's between nylon jaw pliers to harden the wire a bit.

To use the Celtic Knot for a chandelier earring finding, string a crystal onto a head pin and make a wrapped loop to attach it to one of the lower loops. Attach an ear wire to the upper loop on the Celtic Knot.

For a more linear chandelier earring finding, place three pegs next to each other on the jig. One row up, place a peg one space over on each side. Cut a 4" piece of wire. Place the end in a hole near an outside peg and wrap the wire around the peg to form a loop. Wrap over and around to form a loop around each of the remaining pegs.

Remove the wire from the jig and cut off the extra wire. Squeeze the loops between nylon jaw pliers to harden the wire. Use lengths of chain to attach the outside loops to an ear wire, then add pieces of chain and beaded dangles to all of the loops.

To make your own ear wires, see Beads, Baubles & Jewels episode #1001.