Introduction and Materials
Introduction and Materials
After many jewelry makers get to a certain level in their craft, they start to consider the design aspects of more than just beads and components that they include in their jewelry. Many begin to realize that the findings they use to connect all the parts and pieces together to create jewelry have an aesthetic affect on the end result. This is when the first inkling of an idea starts to grow in their minds: making your own findings.
With practice, a few hand tools, and a little wire, you'd be surprised at how simple it can be to make your own jewelry findings. Ear hooks are one of the most often used findings, and they are one of the simplest to make also.
You'll need:
*22 or 21 gauge round silver wire
Wire cutters
Jeweler's file
Round-nosed pliers
*A note about the wire: I really prefer 21-gauge wire for most findings, especially ear wires. This size wire fits easily through most ear holes, is pretty strong, and still fits through most beads starting at about the 4mm size. However, not many wire suppliers sell this odd size, though it doesn't hurt to ask your favorite supplier if he could get some for you. 22-gauge is the next size down (remember that the larger the number the smaller the wire), and is also a pretty good multi-purpose size of round wire, so it also works fine for this project.
Start Making Your Ear Hooks
1. Start by cutting two pieces of wire that are each 1 3/4 inches long.
2. Use your file to file the ends smooth. (Remember that one of these ends will go through an ear hole, so do a nice job on the filing.)
3. Now take your round-nosed pliers, position the wire at about the middle of the nose, and make a small curl on one end of the wire.
4. Next, measure about 1/4 inch away from the curl down on your wire, and wrap the wire around the largest end of your round-nosed pliers.
5. At this point, you are very close to being done, but you'll notice that after completing the previous step, your hook doesn't look very round. In fact, the part that will rest in the ear almost has a square look to it. So, take your round nosed-pliers again, position the largest part of the nose at the 1/4 inch area that your previously curled in the step above, and gently bend the wire at this point again.
This is a very small movement. You'll notice that the hook will look a little more round after that.
6. Finally, grasp the end of the ear hook (the side that doesn't have any curl on it) with your thumb and forefinger and gently bend the wire up a little.
7. Repeat the steps above for a matching ear hook.
A few tips:
- You may want to get a pair of purchased ear hooks to use as a guide when making your own for the first time.
- To ensure that your ear hooks match, try making them at the same time. You can even use two pieces of wire, holding them together and completing the steps above.
- If you have a jig, these can be really handy when you want to churn out a lot of ear hooks at one time.
For more findings projects, take a look at my Findings Section.
After many jewelry makers get to a certain level in their craft, they start to consider the design aspects of more than just beads and components that they include in their jewelry. Many begin to realize that the findings they use to connect all the parts and pieces together to create jewelry have an aesthetic affect on the end result. This is when the first inkling of an idea starts to grow in their minds: making your own findings.
With practice, a few hand tools, and a little wire, you'd be surprised at how simple it can be to make your own jewelry findings. Ear hooks are one of the most often used findings, and they are one of the simplest to make also.
You'll need:
*22 or 21 gauge round silver wire
Wire cutters
Jeweler's file
Round-nosed pliers
*A note about the wire: I really prefer 21-gauge wire for most findings, especially ear wires. This size wire fits easily through most ear holes, is pretty strong, and still fits through most beads starting at about the 4mm size. However, not many wire suppliers sell this odd size, though it doesn't hurt to ask your favorite supplier if he could get some for you. 22-gauge is the next size down (remember that the larger the number the smaller the wire), and is also a pretty good multi-purpose size of round wire, so it also works fine for this project.
Start Making Your Ear Hooks
1. Start by cutting two pieces of wire that are each 1 3/4 inches long.
2. Use your file to file the ends smooth. (Remember that one of these ends will go through an ear hole, so do a nice job on the filing.)
3. Now take your round-nosed pliers, position the wire at about the middle of the nose, and make a small curl on one end of the wire.
4. Next, measure about 1/4 inch away from the curl down on your wire, and wrap the wire around the largest end of your round-nosed pliers.
5. At this point, you are very close to being done, but you'll notice that after completing the previous step, your hook doesn't look very round. In fact, the part that will rest in the ear almost has a square look to it. So, take your round nosed-pliers again, position the largest part of the nose at the 1/4 inch area that your previously curled in the step above, and gently bend the wire at this point again.
This is a very small movement. You'll notice that the hook will look a little more round after that.
6. Finally, grasp the end of the ear hook (the side that doesn't have any curl on it) with your thumb and forefinger and gently bend the wire up a little.
7. Repeat the steps above for a matching ear hook.
A few tips:
- You may want to get a pair of purchased ear hooks to use as a guide when making your own for the first time.
- To ensure that your ear hooks match, try making them at the same time. You can even use two pieces of wire, holding them together and completing the steps above.
- If you have a jig, these can be really handy when you want to churn out a lot of ear hooks at one time.
For more findings projects, take a look at my Findings Section.