SeaHorse Tutorial

By Carmen Barrera
Please do not distribute, lend or copy this Tutorial and dont mass produce it.
Please always give credit to the designer.
Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones
This lesson will show you step by step how to make a pair of seahorse earrings and
a pedant, using the spike technique (wrapping a wire with only a pair of pliers).
First you will learn to make an spike, necessary to develop the technique to make
the sea horse.
Materials:
-2 m or 2.2 yards of 21 gauge half hard
round wire.
round wire.
round wire.
The wire can be bronze, copper, dead
soft silver, or craft wire.
-14 Swarovski, bicone 3mm beads.
-Two Clear AB bicone 3mm beads.
-15 cm or 6 of 28 gauge soft dead
wire.
-2 Swarovski bicone 4mm beads.

JewelryLessons.com
Tool
-Round nose pliers
-Chain or flat nose pliers.
-Flush cutter.
This Tutorial has been divided into four

sections
Section I.-Defining terms.
Section II. - Learning the technique
Section III.-Making projects.
Section IV. Appendix.
Section I
DEFINING TERMS.
First, let's define some terms we will be using throughout this Tutorial.
1.-Spike is a series upstream
and downstream loops, forming
an inverted "V" in most cases. A
"spike" can be of different levels.
Here you can see a spike of
four levels.
2.-Levels: The level is given by the number of upstream loops.

The first level is always just one
or two loops.
A spike of 2 levels is not an
inverted "V".
As you see in the picture, the
spikes of levels 3, 4 and 5 form
an inverted "V".
3.-Composition
A composition is comprised by two or more spikes of different levels,
depending on the project you want to make.
This is the composition of the
seahorse.
Section II
LEARNING THE TECHNIQUE
To learn how to make this technique, I will develop a four levels spike, so
you can understand it. I will number the tips of the round nose pliers.
The explanation below shows how the wire is wrapped in the round nose
pliers, but more experienced wireworkers can achieve to do the loops with
only the movement of their hand and pliers.
Making a Spike
Make the first level

Step 1. - Make two loops with the
round nose pliers (this is the first
level)
Make the second level

Step 2. - Place the tip #1 of the
pliers in the loop of the first level.
The tip #2 of the pliers is at the
top of the first loop.
Step 3. - Pull the wire up over the

tip #2 of the pliers.

pliers in the loop of the second
level. The tip #2 is at the top of
the second loop.
Make the third level

Step 5. - Wrap the wire around
the tip # 1 forming the loop of the
second level.
Step 6. - As in step # 3; pull the

wire up over the tip #2 of the
pliers.

pliers in the third loop. The tip #2
of the pliers is at the top of the
third loop.
Step 8.- Wrap the wire around the

tip #1 of the pliers, forming the
loop of the third level.
Note: Steps 6, 7, and 8 make a
complete loop.
Make the fourth level

Step 9.-As in step #3, pull the
round nose pliers.
To complete a four-level spike,
we will start descending in the
next step.
Start descending
To make the explanation easier I have numbered the levels in a blue colour
Make the third level
Step 10. - Bring the wire up over
the tip # 1 of the pliers.
For this step dont change the
place of the tips, hold the same
place as in Step 9.

round nose pliers in the third
loop, and the tip #2 of the pliers at
the top of the loop number 2.

the tip #2 of the pliers to form the
third down loop.
Make the second level

Step 13. - Bring the weaving
pliers.
Step 14. - Place the tip # 2 of the

round nose pliers in the second
loop, and the tip #1 of the round
nose pliers, at the height of loop
number 1.
Step15. - Wrap the wire around

the tip #2 of the pliers, to form the
second-down loop.
Note: Steps 12, 13, 14 and 15
make a complete loop.
Make the first level

Step 16. - Bring the wire up over
the tip #1 of the pliers.
Step17. - Place the tip #2 of the

pliers in the first loop, and the
tip#1 at the bottom.
Step 18.-Wrap the wire around

the tip #2 of the pliers to make
another first level.
Step 19.-Change the position of

the tip #1.
Tip#1 and tip #2 are in the same
level but tip 2 is in the first loop
and the tip #1 is out.

the tip #2 of pliers to make the
second loop of the first level.
This is a four levels spike, and we are

ready to begin another one of the same or
different level.
Note that all the first levels consists of
two-loops
Step 21.-If you did not straighten

it out, you can straighten it with a
flat nose pliers.
Section III. - Making the projects.

Making the tail
Step 1. - With the tip of the round
nose pliers and the 21 gauge wire,
start making a coil of 1.5 cm
(0.6). Once it is finished, dont
cut it off, the wire left is needed
to continue forming the seahorse.
Making the body

Making a three levels spike
Step 2.-Pull the wire up over the
upper tip of the round nose pliers.
Step 3. - Change the lower tip and

wrap the wire around the lower
tip forming the loop of the second
level.
From this step, you must review

the procedure of section II
the upper tip of the round nose
pliers.
Repeat steps 10 and 11of:
Making a spike
Step 5.-Wrap the wire around the

upper tip of the round nose pliers
to form the second down loop.
Step 6.-Repeat steps 16 through

20 of: Making a spiketo
complete the three levels spike.
Step 7.-Repeat step 6 until you

have five "spikes" of 3 levels
each.
Step 8.-Make a Spike of 4

levels as the procedure: Making
a spike.
Step 9. - Make a spike of 5

levels.
Use the procedure of: Making a
spike: Repeat steps 1 through
8, then make the fourth loop as
shown in steps 6, 7 and 8 of the
first part of this tutorial.
Finally repeat steps 9 through 20.
Remember: You must repeat steps 16, 17 y 18 one time more to make an
extra loop to complete a spike of 5 levels.
Step 10. - Make a spike of 4
levels as you did above.
Step 11. - Make a Spike of 3

levels as you did above.
Step 12. - Make a Spike of 6

levels.
Use the procedure of: Making a
spike: Repeat steps 1 through
8, then make the fourth and fifth
loops as shown in steps 7 and 8.
Finally repeat steps 9 through 20.
Remember: You must repeat steps 16, 17 y 18 two times more to make two
extra loop to complete a spike of 6 levels.
Step 13. - Repeat step 12 until
you have five "spikes" of 6 levels
each.
Starting the head

Step 14. - Take the wire up to the
second level and make a loop (see
red arrow).
Making the coronet

height of the fifth level (see red
arrow), making a large open loop.
Step 16. - Take the wire down to

the second level and make a
closed loop (see red arrow).

height of the sixth level (see red
arrow), making another open
large loop.

the second level and make a
closed loop (see red arrow).

height of the fifth level (see red
arrow), making a large open loop.
Finishing the head.

the second level and make a loop
(see red arrow).

the first level and make two loops
(see red arrow).
Step 22. - Repeat steps 1 through

22 to make the other body of the
seahorse.
If you want to make earrings,
repeat steps 1 through 22 to make
the other seahorses body.
Making the head.

You need 15 cms. or 6
Step 23. - Using round nose pliers
grasp about 5 cm or 2 from one
end of the wire and make a loop.
Step 24. - Continue wrapping the

right side of the wire as shown in
the picture.
Step 25.-Bend slightly the wire

and measure 0.5 cm or 0.2from
the loop and mark with permanent
marker.
Make the snout

Step 26.-Bend the wire upwards
at the mark and measure 0.5 cm
or 0.2" from the bend again.
Step 27. - Using the round nose

pliers bend the wire in the mark
making an open loop.
Measure from the last bend 0.7cm
or (0.3) and bend at a 90 grades
angle.
Then measure 0.9cm (0.38) from
the bend and mark with
permanent marker.
Make the cheek.
Step 28. - Using the fattest part of
the round nose pliers, bend the
wire.
The pliers should be touching the
bend that you made in step 27.
Step 29.-Using a flat nose pliers,

bend at the mark made in step 27.
Measure 0.4 cm or 0.16 from the
eye and mark with permanent
marker.
Finish the head

Step 30. - Using flat nose pliers
bend slightly at the mark made in
step 29.
Step 31.-Pass the largest wire

through the holes formed by all
first level loops.
Cut the shortest wire at about 1 or
1.5 cm (0.4 to 0.59) from the cheek of the seahorse.
Step 32. - Insert the shortest wire

through the loops of the first level
of the spike of 6 levels (the last
one made), close to the head, as
shown in the picture.
Step 33.-Bend the wire to the

back and make a little loop.
Step 34.-Press the loop with a

chain or flat nose pliers.
Step 35.-Slightly bends the

outside loops of the coronet made
in steps 16 and 19.
Step 36.-Shape the seahorse into

an S pattern.
Cut the wire of the tail at 1.5 to 2
cm (0.6 to 0.8) from the coil
and make a spiral.
Making a pedant
To make the pedant you need:
- 2 m or 2.2 yards of 21g wire.
-13 Aqua or hyacinth 3 mm bicone beads.
-Two Clear AB bicone 3mm beads.
Step 37. - -To add beads see at

the appendix: How to add beads.
To add the bail use the free
tutorial: Rabbit Ear Pedant Bail
http://www.jewelrylessons.com/
tutorial/rabbit-ear-pedant-bail
The measurement of this pedant

without the bail is 5 cm or 1.97.
Making Earrings
To make this pair of earrings you
need 2 m or 2.2 yards of 25 gauge
half hard wire.
-16 2.5 mm sterling silver beads.
-A pair of sterling silver post ear.
-2 little jump rings.
Step 38.-To make a pair of
earrings attach the seahorse to a
post ear wire with a little jump
ring.
The measurement of this earring
without the ear wire is 4.5 cm or 1.77.
Variation (beaded tail instead of coiled tail)
To make this pair of earrings you need

round wire.
-14 peridot 3mm bicone beads.
- 2 peridot 4mm bicone beads.
-A pair of earring hooks.
Step 39. - Start at step 2 and go

through to step 23.
Step 40.-Repeat 24 through 35

and Shape the seahorse, into an
S pattern.
Cut the tail 4cm away (1.57)
from the first 3 levels spike.
Step 41.-String four 3mm beads

on the tail.
Step 42.-Make a spiral.
Step 43. - Add the beads to the

body and a 3mm bead in the eye.
See appendix: How to add beads.
Step 44.-To make a pair of earrings make

a connector with a 4mm bead and attach
the seahorse and the ear wire.
The measurement of this earring without
the ear wire is 4.8 cm or 1.89.
Appendix.
-How to add beads.
Use 20 cm or 8 of 28 gauge dead soft round wire.
Step 1.-Wrap a wire around the
core wire three times,
Step 2.-String a 3mm bead and

insert the wire in the next hole
formed by the spike.
The red dots and the arrow in
picture show how the wire goes.
Step 3. - Insert the wire in the

previous hole (see red dots and
arrows).Make sure that the wire is
always ahead of the bead.
Step 4. - String another 3mm

bead and insert the wire in the
next hole formed by the spike.
The red dots and the arrow in
picture show how the wire goes.
Step 5. - Repeat steps 1 through 4, to finish

placing the beads on the body.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial. I await your comments, question and review
to improve it if necessary.
Only practice makes advanced.
Thank my sister Maggie for their continuous support.
Special thanks to Jane Doe S., who helped with the editing of this tutorial.
Any question or help please contact me:

arteycreaciones-peru@hotmail.com
Please do not distribute, lend or copy this Tutorial and dont mass produce it.
Please always give credit to the teacher.

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By Carmen Barrera

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

This Tutorial has been divided into four

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

2.-Levels: The level is given by the number of upstream loops.

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Make the first level

Make the second level

Step 3. - Pull the wire up over the

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 4. - Place the tip #1 of the

Make the third level

Step 6. - As in step # 3; pull the

Step 7. - Place the tip #1 of the

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 8.- Wrap the wire around the

Make the fourth level

Step 11. - Place the tip #2 of the

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 12. - Wrap the wire around

Make the second level

Step 14. - Place the tip # 2 of the

Step15. - Wrap the wire around

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Make the first level

Step17. - Place the tip #2 of the

Step 18.-Wrap the wire around

Step 19.-Change the position of

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 20. - Wrap the wire around

This is a four levels spike, and we are

Step 21.-If you did not straighten

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Section III. - Making the projects.

Making the body

Step 3. - Change the lower tip and

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

From this step, you must review

Step 5.-Wrap the wire around the

Step 6.-Repeat steps 16 through

Step 7.-Repeat step 6 until you

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 8.-Make a Spike of 4

Step 9. - Make a spike of 5

Step 11. - Make a Spike of 3

Step 12. - Make a Spike of 6

Starting the head

Making the coronet

Step 16. - Take the wire down to

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 17. - Take the wire up to the

Step 18. - Take the wire down to

Step 19. - Take the wire up to the

Finishing the head.

Copyright 2009 Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones

Step 21. - Take the wire down to

Step 22. - Repeat steps 1 through

Making the head.

Step 24. - Continue wrapping the