If you've
been making
jewelry for any length of time (even a few weeks), you'll quickly fill
an odds-and-ends box. Mine seems to collect, among other things, an
assortment of fancy headpins. Instead of scrapping them, I've given
them new life by transforming them into beautiful earwires. You can
too, and you'll be amazed at how quick and easy it is to do. Here's a
simple step-by-step tutorial for making headpin earwires.
 You
can start with either fancy headpins such as shown at the left or ball
tip headpins or any pre-made earwire with a
malleable soft wire, such as the Bali earwires shown in this photo.
 You
need a hook for the
earring dangle. If the hook is not pre-formed, then form your own. Use
your round nose pliers to add a small curve near the decorative head.
 Like
so.....
 Next,
wrap the earwire around a large mandrel. I use a #25 dapping tool,
which measures 16 mm in diameter. You can use a fat pen or a wooden
dowel, or whatever round mandrel you have handy. The size of the
mandrel will determine how big around your finished earwire will be.
 And
this is what they
look like when you slide 'em off the mandrel.
 To
help ensure a matching
pair, cut your wires two at a time. I make my cuts so as to leave an
opening of approximately 1/4 inch. You can see what I mean a couple of
pictures below.
 Be
sure to cut the plain end of the wire, not the end with the heads on
them. Otherwire, you'll cut the heads off and they will end up in your
scrap box.....permanently!
 Now
we're ready for hammering. This step is not necessary, but I highly
recommend it to ensure the earwire holds its shape. It also adds a
little stylish flair.
 Be
sure to flatten only
the front part of the earwire, being careful not to hammer the wire
where it goes through the ear. Some people may have a hard time sliding
it through their ear if it's too wide.
 Be
sure to file smooth
the ends of the wire so that they don't tear the delicate skin inside
the ear piercing. They're ready to patina, or not. Slide
on your favorite dangle and they're ready to wear!
|
