Instructions

Making the Frame

1. Use wire cutters to flush trim each end of the 20-gauge wire. Using chain-nose pliers to hold the center of the wire, bend a 45° angle to create the amphora shape’s base (see photo).
    
   
2. After making the initial center bend, form the wire around a cylindrical object (a marker, hammer handle, or dowel, for example) placed between the wires. Remember that the center point can be as open or closed as you like. Wrap the wires until they cross so that your form is symmetrical (see photo).
    
   
3. Form the sides of the shape by pulling and curving the wire between your fingers, from the center point to the cut ends. Remember, because you’re working with a 6" (15.2 cm) piece of wire, you have 3" (7.6 cm) on each side of the bend to form your amphora shape.
4. When you’re pleased with your shape, measure the length of each side and use a fine-point permanent marker to mark the base of the loops that will connect to the chain. Use chain-nose pliers to bend the wire to a 90° angle at these marks (see photo).
    
   
5. Use wire cutters to flush cut the wire to loop length and use round-nose pliers to form simple loops at each end of the wire (see photo). Position the loops to continue the line of your form as it connects to the chain.
    
   
6. To strengthen the frame, use a planishing hammer and steel block to gently tap the bent points and curves. You don’t need to hammer the whole shape. Burnish the whole shape to harden the wire.
7. Apply any desired finishes to the frames. If you want to darken your piece, oxidize the frame as well as the wrapping wire and the chain before you add beaded wraps.

Adding Beaded Wraps

8. Use chain-nose pliers to tightly wrap the end of the 26-gauge wire twice around one top side of the shape (see photo). Use wire cutters to flush cut the short tail and use chain-nose pliers to tuck the tail so that it sits neatly inside the frame. Gently pull the wire across to the other side of the frame, holding the shape exactly the way you want it.
    
   
9. Use chain-nose pliers to kink the wire at the wrap point (see photo) and wrap it once around the frame as you hold the shape and wrap wire in place.
    
   
10. There are no beads added to this first wrap. The first wrapped wire should help establish and secure your form (see photo).
     
    
11. Thread one or two beads onto the wrapping wire and pull the wire across the frame. Wrap once around the other side so the wraps are tight but are far enough apart to allow the beads to slide around.
12. Continue wrapping and adding beads as you work toward the bottom tip. You’ll need to hold the wraps in place and be careful not to pull too tightly, or the wires will slide down the form.
13. When you reach the tip, finish by wrapping twice around the frame. Use wire cutters to flush cut the wire and chain-nose pliers to tuck the tail so that it sits neatly inside the frame.
14. Use chain-nose pliers to add kinks to the wires and to position the beads as desired, leaving some space for the beads to slide.

Finishing Steps

15. Fold your chain in half and use wire cutters to cut the middle link so you end up with two lengths of chain.
16. Use flat-nose pliers to open the amphora’s loops, just as you would open a jump ring. Attach one loop to the end link of one length of chain. Close the loop. Repeat with the other loop and length of chain.
17. For a more custom-made look, remove some chain links and insert wrapped loop bead links at random or regular intervals. In this design, larger pearls were used to match the smaller bead and wire wraps.

Amphora Earrings with Catch Loop

18. To make the earring frames, use wire cutters to flush trim the tips of the 20-gauge pieces of wire. Use chain-nose pliers to hold the two pieces of wire together at their midpoints. Bend a 45° angle curve in both wires at the same time (see photo).
     
    
19. It’s important to form the pair of earrings simultaneously by holding the wires together. This ensures you will have two earrings of the same shape and size. Form an amphora shape in the same manner as you did with the necklace pendant, working freehand or wrapping the wires around curved forms (see photo).
     
    
20. With the other wire ends, form the top hook portion of the earrings. Use your fingers to pull and form the front of the earring to the ear-hook point, then wrap the wires around the top of a large permanent marker or dowel until the wires cross (see photo).
     
    
21. After you’ve established the frame’s shape, use chain-nose pliers to bend one of the wire ends at a 90° angle away from the top of the amphora shape. This bend will ultimately form the hook catch (see photo).
     
    
22. Working with one earring frame at a time, hold the tail at the 90°-angle bend with chain-nose pliers. Wrap the tail around the pliers to form a hook perpendicular to the earring (see photo).
     
    
23. Use wire cutters to flush cut the hook so that the end is parallel with the frame edge (see photo). Repeat for the other earring frame, making sure the hook wraps to the opposite side so that your earrings are mirror images of each other.
     
    
24. At this crossing point, use chain-nose pliers to add a small kink to the ear wires. Use wire cutters to flush cut these ends to the desired length, approximately 3/8" (1 cm) from the kink just made (see photo).
     
    
25. Use the planishing hammer to gently tap each earring on a steel block, especially the bottom point and front section of the ear hook to the point where it enters the ear. Burnish the whole shape to harden it.
26. Finish all of the wire’s cut ends, giving the ear hook a rounded tip. Be sure to keep the catch loop flat.
27. Apply any desired finishes to the frames. If you choose to darken the earrings and necklace, oxidize all of the frames as well as the wrapping wire.

Adding Beaded Wraps

28. Repeat steps 7 through 13 in the instructions for the necklace to add beads to each earring.
29. Adjust the ear wire by opening it wider to create tension in the catch hook.