DIY Teardrop Beaded Earrings & Pendant Tutorial: Easy Wire Wrapping Technique

Updated at: 27/03/2025

Step into the enchanting world of jewelry making with this easy-to-follow tutorial on creating stunning teardrop beaded earrings and a matching pendant! Learn the simple yet elegant art of wire wrapping, a technique that allows you to showcase the beauty of your favorite beads in a sophisticated and personalized design. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, this project is perfect for adding a touch of handmade charm to your style. The teardrop shape is both classic and versatile, lending itself beautifully to a range of bead types and colors, allowing you to customize your creation to perfectly match your personality and wardrobe.

This tutorial will guide you through each step of the process, from gathering your materials to creating the final polished piece. We’ll cover essential techniques for secure and aesthetically pleasing wire wrapping, ensuring your beautiful beaded teardrops are not only visually appealing but also durable enough for everyday wear. Prepare to be amazed at how quickly and easily you can craft these charming accessories. Let's get started with the step-by-step instructions below!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • 20 gauge aged silver para wire
  • 26 gauge silver para wire
  • earring hooks/ear wires
  • jump rings
  • flush cutters
  • round nose pliers
  • knitting needle
  • beads
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use wire cutters designed for jewelry making; household scissors can damage the wire and cause injury.
  • Be mindful of sharp wire ends. Keep them pointed away from your body and use pliers to carefully bend and shape them.
  • If working with small beads, ensure your workspace is well-lit and consider using a beading mat to prevent losing beads.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Form the Teardrop Base

    • Cut approximately six inches of 20 gauge wire for the earring (or pendant). Bend one side over the other to form a teardrop shape. Twist the wire twice where the two sides meet.
    Cut approximately six inches of 20 gauge wire for the earring (or pendant). Bend one side over the other to form a teardrop shape. Twist the wire twice where the two sides meet.
    Form the Teardrop Base

  2. Create the Top Loop

    • Use a knitting needle to create a loop at the top of the teardrop. Straighten the wire if needed.
    Use a knitting needle to create a loop at the top of the teardrop. Straighten the wire if needed.
    Create the Top Loop

  3. Secure the Loop

    • Wrap the wire from the loop around the base of the loop to secure it. Use pliers to help with wrapping if desired.
    Wrap the wire from the loop around the base of the loop to secure it. Use pliers to help with wrapping if desired.
    Secure the Loop

  4. Prepare the Beading Wire

    • Cut approximately an arm's length of 26 gauge wire. Straighten it as much as possible.
    Cut approximately an arm's length of 26 gauge wire. Straighten it as much as possible.
    Prepare the Beading Wire

  5. Attach Beading Wire

    • Position the 26 gauge wire behind the teardrop, close to the twist. Thread the wire through the loop twice, leaving a small tail.
    Position the 26 gauge wire behind the teardrop, close to the twist. Thread the wire through the loop twice, leaving a small tail.Position the 26 gauge wire behind the teardrop, close to the twist. Thread the wire through the loop twice, leaving a small tail.
    Attach Beading Wire

  6. Add Beads and Wrap

    • Start adding beads one at a time to the 26 gauge wire. Push each bead close to the teardrop. Wrap the wire around the teardrop twice after each bead.
    Start adding beads one at a time to the 26 gauge wire. Push each bead close to the teardrop. Wrap the wire around the teardrop twice after each bead.Start adding beads one at a time to the 26 gauge wire. Push each bead close to the teardrop. Wrap the wire around the teardrop twice after each bead.
    Add Beads and Wrap

  7. Complete Beading and Trim Wire

    • Continue adding beads and wrapping the wire until you reach the desired length. Cut off excess wire, leaving a small tail.
    Continue adding beads and wrapping the wire until you reach the desired length. Cut off excess wire, leaving a small tail.Continue adding beads and wrapping the wire until you reach the desired length. Cut off excess wire, leaving a small tail.
    Complete Beading and Trim Wire

  8. Secure the Ends

    • Wrap the two small wire tails around the twist at the top of the teardrop. Cut off excess wire close to the twist.
    Wrap the two small wire tails around the twist at the top of the teardrop. Cut off excess wire close to the twist.Wrap the two small wire tails around the twist at the top of the teardrop. Cut off excess wire close to the twist.
    Secure the Ends

  9. Finish the Teardrop

    • Use flat nose pliers to press down the cut ends of the wire to prevent them from sticking out. Use round nose pliers to create a closed spiral at the end of the teardrop.
    • Tuck in the extra wire at the end of the spiral. Use pliers to secure it. Smooth out any pointy bits.
    Tuck in the extra wire at the end of the spiral. Use pliers to secure it. Smooth out any pointy bits.Tuck in the extra wire at the end of the spiral. Use pliers to secure it. Smooth out any pointy bits.
    Finish the Teardrop

  10. Attach Earring Hooks

    • Open jump rings carefully by twisting, not pulling apart. Attach the earring to the jump ring, then attach the jump ring to the ear wire.
    Open jump rings carefully by twisting, not pulling apart. Attach the earring to the jump ring, then attach the jump ring to the ear wire.
    Attach Earring Hooks

Read more: Twisted Wire Spiral Earrings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Maintain good posture while working to avoid hand or neck strain.
  • Keep the wraps on the teardrop close together for a uniform look, but not so tight that the beads look crowded.
  • When using pliers, avoid a death grip to prevent damage to the wire coating.
  • Open jump rings by twisting with pliers, not by pulling apart.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Unevenly sized teardrops

Reason: Inconsistent bead placement or wire wrapping tension leads to teardrops of varying sizes.
Solution: Use a template or ruler to ensure consistent bead placement and maintain even tension while wrapping.

2. Loose or wobbly wire wraps

Reason: Insufficient wire wraps or loose wrapping technique results in insecure bead attachments that may move or fall off.
Solution: Add more wire wraps and ensure each wrap is snug against the bead and the wire before moving on.

3. Unbalanced pendant/earring asymmetry

Reason: Inconsistent bead placement or wire wrapping on each side of the pendant or earrings leads to an uneven, unbalanced look.
Solution: Carefully compare both sides throughout the process and adjust as needed to ensure symmetry.

FAQs

What type of wire is best for wire wrapping teardrop beads?
For beginners, 24-26 gauge craft wire (usually silver or gold-colored) is ideal. It's pliable enough for easy shaping but strong enough to hold the beads securely. Avoid using too thin a gauge as it might break easily, and too thick a gauge will make it hard to work with for this design.