Earrings in a Week

Sheesh!  Has it really been a week since i've posted a pair of earrings?  'Fraid so, friends.  Mayhap i'll get back on the earring train when Terry runs off to Canada and Argentina for three weeks or so. 

Seeing as how we are still in the Year of the Dragon, these dyed and laser cut (maybe?) agate beads are right on the yen.  And a little trick with the wrapping wire adds some spice to the look.

Supplies:
(2) 12mm agate rounds
(2) 8mm agate rounds
length of brass wire
ear wires

Cut about an 8-inch or so length of wire.  I used 22gauge brass 'cause that's what i had on hand but, given a choice, i might have gone down to 20gauge.  Maybe not, though.  Brass wire is real sassy and wants to do its own thing so a heavier gauge may be tougher to wrassle into submission.

Thread the 12mm round onto the core wire just below about halfway, leaving a long tail of wire.
Push the wire tail up and mold it as closely around the bead as desired.
Wrap the wire tail twice around the core wire just above the bead, trying to keep the wraps as close to the bead as possible.
Thread the smaller bead onto the core wire above the wraps.
Push the wire tail up and mold it as closely around the smaller bead as desired.
Wrap the wire tail twice around the core wire just above the bead, trying to keep the wraps as close to the bead as possible.
Cut of any remaining length of tail wire.
Using the remaining length of core wire, fashion a wrapped loop for the bail, making a double loop if desired.
Trim wire and attach danglies to ear wires.

xie xie! (shay shay) 
Thanks!