I also like to create any shapes or stems from a roll of wire, being cheaper and easier to manipulate. You can experiment alot with wire design, which is really unique.

websites:

http://scrapbooking.com/

and blogs:

http://scrappincabinet.com/

1. You cut the wire to a length a little longer than you think you might use… only comes from trying it out a few times.

2. Take your pliers and bend the end f the wire to make a u shape, tweez the wire so its pressed up against itself, so your bead has a place to rest without falling off the end of the wire.

3. Place you beads on the wire and and when you have all the beads on, place your fingernail at the very top of the beads and bend the wire over at a 90 degrees angle. Use your pliers to wrap the wire around into a circle. This is where you will attach the hanging earring to the earring hook.

4. With the hook on the bead stem, left slightly open, attach it to the earring hook, and close it tightly.

Now you have one side, do the other.

Here is a picture: