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Make Your own Ear Wires and "S" Clasps using Wire
You can make ear wires and clasps using basic tools, household items and wire. Working with wire is like anything else - it takes some getting used to but once you're comfortable with it, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it. Feel free to work with Craft Wire while you're learning and for certain projects. It's a great place to start and many experienced wire workers, still use craft wire to try new designs and layouts.
Ear wires however, should always be made with Sterling Silver or Gold Fill especially if you are making something for someone else. Many people are very sensitive to plated products (especially in the delicate earlobe area) and will have problems with anything less than Sterling. |
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To begin making ear wires, cut 2 pieces 2 1/2" long of 20 gauge half hard Sterling Silver wire. Using your Round Nose Pliers, create a loop at the end of each wire. Bend the wire around a barrel type object (mandrel, cosmetic lip or eye pencil, lip balm or gloss, pens, etc...) to create the large half loop shape of the ear wire.
Look around your house for objects that have the barrel shape - gather ones with different sized barrels and experiment until you find one that gives you the size that you desire. |
If you plan to make your own clasps and ear wires on a regular basis, it might be wise to invest in the EZ Jump Ring Tool. This tool comes with a set of different diameter size dowels/rods that useful for creating these items. Use your judgment when cutting the length. If you've done two pieces at this point, it might help to hold them together so that you can be sure they are uniform in length when you make the cut with flush cutters.
Grasp the bottom 1/4" of the tail with your Chain Nose or Flat Nose Pliers and bend it outward to a 45 degree angle. File the ends so that they are smooth. |
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To make an "S" Clasp, begin by cutting a length of wire approximately 3". Using your Round Nose Pliers, make small loops in opposite direction at the ends of the piece of wire.
Grasp the wire with your Round Nose Pliers so that one of the loops sits directly below the barrels/tips of the pliers - see the picture below. Bend the wire around the barrel of the pliers to create a larger loop that goes in the opposite direction of the smaller end loop - again, see the picture below. |
Do the same to the other side. If you're having problems finding where on the tip to place the wire, experiment a bit and when you've found the spot that gives you the results that you're looking for, you can mark your pliers for future use. As an optional last step, you can use a bench block and rubber mallet or chasing hammer to flatten and harden the clasp. Another handy item is the Wire Wacker - this tool allows you to harden wire by placing your design between two wacker boards and pressing down. The pressure hardens the wire by condensing it without changing the design.
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To create the design above you will need the following items
Additional Recommended/Optional Items
To see more beading projects and jewelry design ideas click here
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