You can use any combination of beads you like, as long as at least two can fit on a headpin. French hook earwires, also called earhooks, are the portion of the earring that is in direct contact with your ears. As their name suggests, they consist of a large hook, which hangs from your ear. On the opposite end of the large hook is a small circular loop (a “jump ring”) used to attach the hook to the decorative portion of the earring. Earwires are typically made of hypoallergenic metals that are resistant to corrosion and discoloration.
Don’t take up more that about two thirds of the headpin’s length. Swap beads around until you’ve found a pattern that works best. Many drop earrings have a large dangling piece at the bottom. Consider a string of small spacer beads on top of one big ornate one.
While specialty jeweler’s pliers will be easier to work with, any other type of round nose pliers will also work fine. Other small pliers will do in a pinch. Rondelle beads are small, round, flat beads typically used as spacers in beaded jewelry. They can be made of anything from glass to precious gemstones. Pick one to three colors to work with. Depending on the exact size of your rondelle beads, you’ll be using about three per earring.
