Mary,

I'm finally telling you about the findings!

As I said I got them from Michael's. They're Called "Jewelry Essentials."

Here's a link:
www.michaels.com/art/onli...

Hope that helps!

Julie

Mary,

Thanks for the bead-esteem boost!

As for the findings: I found those at a Michael's craft store by my house. I'm only just starting to search out neat bead places in Cincinnati, so I went to my closest multi-craft retailer to find items I wouldn't mind messing around with.
What I found was quite sturdy, and held up to much of the harsh treatment I metered out. I'm going again this week and will get the brand name for you.

The Twisty Metal Knot (nice name, huh?), on top of the big wooden beads, is an eye pin attached to the top of the head pin (which is seen at the very bottom of the earring). Loop the top of the head pin into the eye pin, secure that by squeezing it tight, and proceed to twist and smush until you get the desired shape. I used bent-nose pliers to hold the head pin (from the top) in place, then used my hands and needle-nosed pliers to get the desired shape.
It was the only way I could think of to keep the bottom head pin and bead attached to the earring!

Thanks for the advice about the beeswax candles. I'll have to look into that.