Daily Wire Tip: Wire for Brooches and Pins

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

I want to make a pin or brooch. Is my wrapping wire going to be good enough for a pin? How about if I twist it?

-Kirsten in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Hello Kirsten, I must tell you that I really don’t have a lot of information to go on, so I will give you a generalized response.

You ask if you can use your “wrapping” wire to make a pin with. If you mean a half round wire, then my answer is no. If the wire you are speaking of is a square wire, then it is possible. Think about what the pin or brooch is being created to hold; a cabochon or a collection of beads? And what do you intend the pin to adorn? Will it be a blouse, a sweater, or a jacket or blazer? When piercing a thin fabric, such as a blouse, it is my opinion that the wire used to create the actual “pin” component be round. With thinner fabrics, the item being held should be lightweight so the clothing is not damaged. If the pin is to be used for a sweater, then a twisted square wire can suffice, and it may be of a medium to large gauge like 18 or 20. When a brooch is made to be worn on a jacket or a blazer, the item being held can be a bit more heavy, like a cabochon, and either a larger-gauge round or square wire can be used to form the pin component.

The temper of a pin component is very important, because of the repeated bending. Personally I like to use #8/Spring Hard Round wire for making both pins and ear wires. This temper is difficult to find unless specially ordered in large amounts (like 3 or more ounces). A great substitute is to use a full hard round wire (most pins are 21-gauge). Then make it just a little bit harder by slightly twisting only the part that will be going through the fabric with an automatic wire twister or a pin vise.

To make the point as sharp as possible, use a really good pair of cutters (such as Xuron) to cut the wire at a severe angle, and use an emery board to file off the little burr left from the cutters.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Related Posts

• What Type of Wire Should I Use?
  What Type of Wire Should I Use?
• All About Soft Wire
  All About Soft Wire
• 

  Wire Jewelry Resource Aug. 8: Gold Filled History & Meaning
  Wire Jewelry Resource Aug. 8: Gold Filled History & Meaning
• Daily Wire Tip: How to Choose Wire Temper for Making Jewelry
  Daily Wire Tip: How to Choose Wire Temper for Making Jewelry

11 Comments

1. 

   Sue

   June 22, 2011 at 7:38 am

   I just wanted to say that I have noticed and appreciate the things that have been happening like the gemstone feature and the weekly update. Continue the good, no great, work!

   Maybe a product feature when there are new products or misunderstood products???
   • 

     dalecgr

     June 22, 2011 at 9:38 am

     Hi Sue, yes WS does have plans to publish product reviews, thanks!
2. 

   Robin Burns

   June 22, 2011 at 9:45 am

   I have found that even 20 gauge hardened wire can be too light for a brooch, but 18 or even 16 gauge works well. I agree that round is best, and love Dale’s advice on temper and shaping the tip!
   • 

     dalecgr

     June 22, 2011 at 12:59 pm

     Glad to help Robin. 20g will work well for items that are not too heavy, but using rocks (cabs) I agree with 18 : )
3. 

   Dena Ellison

   May 16, 2012 at 3:53 pm

   A silversmith friend told me that the ends of the wire should not be too pointy for my sweater/scarf pins. Otherwise, they will split the fibers in the yarn. My pins are almost all wire with very little stone adornment. I use 18 or even 16 gauge round wire, cut the end straight with a flush cutter, and file to round off the end. Below is a link to a picture of of a simple leaf pin.

   http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.215480838491859.57104.206596652713611&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=338400736199868&set=a.215480838491859.57104.206596652713611&type=3&theater
   • 

     Kathy

     January 1, 2013 at 7:14 am

     Hi Dena–Went to your website and just wanted to tell you I love your work! Beautiful jewelry. I’m just starting out and get so much creativity from seeing what others design. Kathy
   • 

     terrijean jacobo

     November 19, 2013 at 2:18 pm

     i too followed your link and just want to tell you thanks for sharing your wisdom and also you have some beautiful pieces on your fb page! you are quite skilled as an artist- =)
4. 

   Aura Carriere

   September 18, 2012 at 7:11 am

   I wished to make pins for our local shop and also had problems with both the gauge and the fabric. I solved this by purchasing the larger of the safety pins, removing the central piece [extra bit where it closes]and wrapping it with half round gauge 22. I used round or square wire and wrote words that were then attached over top of the wrapped pin. They were both safe for fabrics and sturdy. They turned out rather well I thought.
   • 

     Judi Morningstar

     August 26, 2014 at 2:21 pm

     Would like to see that. Sounds neat.
5. 

   Maria Renata

   November 11, 2014 at 6:12 pm

   Thank you for posting this wonderful insight. I have been struggling in making pins because I need it to be integrated with the designs and pre-made pins just can’t do the trick. So far I have been using 20 ga sterling silver and it worked great but not enough – after reading this I will be sure to buy the full hard wires! Thank you!
6. 

   Kat

   May 3, 2016 at 6:37 am

   can you show how to crochet with wire, and adding beads?