Spiral Headpin with Dropper Hook Tutorial

Spiral headpins

You will need:

1 length of wire (for this tutorial I used 17cm of copper wire, but any length over 7 or 8 cm is fine)

Side cutters

Flat or half round nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Ruler

what you will need

Step 1. Cut the length of wire required

step 1

Step 2. Using flat nosed pliers, grip the wire in the jaws about ¼ - 1/3 of the way down the wire and bend it back on itself.

step 2

Step 3. Flatten the bend as much as possible so that the two parts of the wire sit snugly next to each other.

Step 3

Step 4. Using the round nosed pliers, grip the bend of the wire and begin to tease it round to start the spiral.  If the wires twist under each other, just use your flat nosed pliers to flatten them down again so that they sit next to each other.

step 4

Step 5. Now grip across the flat of the started spiral with the flat nosed pliers and begin the manipulate the wire around into a spiral form.

step 5

Step 6. When you have the desired size of spiral, continue winding the inner wire until it reaches the opposite side of the spiral to the outer wire: bend the outer wire end at a 90 degree angle to the spiral to create the pin length (or the dropper hook, whichever wire part is on the outside – this will just depend on which direction you started your spiral) then repeat this for the opposite end.

step 6

Step 7. Use your round nosed pliers to create the dropper hook: cut off any excess wire.  Grip the spiral with the flat nosed pliers just under the top of the hook and bend the hook back so that is sits neatly under the spiral.

step 7

Add your chosen beads and dropper as desired.

All Wired Up: French Hook Ear Wire Tutorial (with a twist)

This is my twist on the classic French Hook ear wire. 

It's very simple, and will take around 10 minutes of your time.

What you will need to make this rather fine French Hook style earwire:

0.8mm wire (brass shown here, as it was to hand, but any metal you choose can be used)

                  Ruler

                  Flat or half round nose pliers

                  Round nose pliers

                  Side cutters

                  Large bail pliers
                  (optional, any cylindrical item could be used that is the correct size, such as a thick pen)

step 01

 

Step 1: Cut 2 lengths of wire around 7cm in length.

step 02

 

Step 2: snip the ends to create to ensure same length and neat ends

step 03

 

Step 3: Line the wires up next to each other and create a loop using your round nosed pliers.
I’ve made the loop near the top of the jaws of the pliers.

step 04

 

Step 4: taking one wire in hand, place the round nose pliers under the loop, about half way
down the nose of the pliers and bend back in the opposite direction of the first loop to create
a ‘shepherds crook’ effect.

step 04

Step 05

 

Step 5: Using flat nose or half round nose pliers, grip the wire under the loop around half way
down the jaws of the pliers and bend the wire back so that you’re bending towards
the first loop you made.

Step 06

 

Step 6: Using the bail pliers, grip the wire in the jaws of the pliers sat snugly in the corner
you’ve just created and bend the wire forward over the larger jaw of the pliers to complete the hook.

Step 07

 

Step 7: Use your thumb or finger pad to create a gentle curve in the length of the wire
that will go through the ear.

Step 08

 

Step 8: Use file to shape and soften the end so that it fits through the ear without scratching.

Step 9:  Repeat steps 4-8 on the second wire.