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.
3 comments:
Kitzbitz Art Glass10 June 2012 14:52Another lovely tutorial Anna, really easy to follow and looks great, thank you xxReplyDelete
Thank you for the comments, its heartening to know I can be of assistance to my fellow makers :)ReplyDelete
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)RulerFlat or half round nose pliersRound nose pliersSide cuttersLarge 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.2 comments:
