Four Point Earrings Tutorial

String the starter row: String: RounDuo – 11/0 – RounDuo – 11/0 – RounDuo – 11/0 – RounDuo – 11/0. Slide to the end of the thread and tie a tight knot to form the center starter line (leave a short tail). Begin the first RAW unit: From the knot, pass the needle through the first RounDuo and the 11/0 next to it. Add 3 seed beads (these form one RAW unit), circle back through that same 11/0 to anchor them. Finish the RAW square unit: Pass through the first and second of the three beads you just added (this creates the “top” of the RAW unit). Add another 3 beads for the second unit, enter the opposite side, and sew down through the third bead of the first unit — continuing the right-angle weave shape. Repeat between each RounDuo: Move to the next RounDuo’s first hole, enter the 11/0 between beads, add the 3 + 3 RAW beads as before. Continue until you’ve inserted two RAW units between every adjacent RounDuo (you’ll create four small RAW corners around the center). Tidy and tension: After finishing the fourth corner, run your thread up through the central beads (bead 1, bead 2) and down through the third bead of the second RAW set so your thread exit matches Ally’s path (exiting down toward the RounDuo). Add the first crystal point triangle: Pick up: 1 × 3 mm bicone + 4 × 11/0 (in that order). Sew into the opposite side of the next RounDuo (left → right) so the crystal pulls down into the gap. Then pass back through the first two seed beads after the crystal to snug it into place. Lock the point: Add 1 more 11/0, then go down through beads 3 & 4 (the lower beads you added) to form a little pointed triangle. Tighten; the crystal should sit as a small point at the side of the piece. Repeat crystals around the corners: Add a crystal and seed-bead point at each RAW corner the same way. Ally adds eight small crystals total (four per side / around the piece) — work all the way around. Create the bottom drop: When you reach the bottom opposite a RounDuo, position the thread at the fifth-bead point. Add: crystal drop → 3 × 11/0 (or 3 × 11/0 → drop → 3 × 11/0 depending on your preferred anchor), then sew back up through the drop and into the opposite seed bead to center and stabilize the dangle. Weave around to the top edge: Sew your thread along the outer edge until you reach the top opposite point where you’ll set the wire guard. This path helps center the wire guard and secures the overall shape. Fit and attach wire guard: Pass your thread through a wire guard (pinch the guardian slightly with pliers so it conforms to the bead / sits like a teardrop). Go through it twice (or more) and sew back into the beadwork to lock it in place. Reinforce by passing around the guard a couple of times. Tie off & bury tails: Run the thread back through interior beads to hide the tail, tie the two ends together (or add a few reinforcing wraps), then trim and carefully melt/secure any synthetic thread tails if using zappable thread. Attach ear wire: Open the ear wire by moving the loop sideways (don’t pull back), slip it onto the wire guard, then close/twist to a snug teardrop shape. If the ear wire is tight, insert the post into the back of the guard, seat it, then shut. Final checks & adjustments: Check symmetry, tighten any loose points with an extra pass, and ensure the drop and points hang centered. If anything feels loose, add reinforcement passes through the weak area.