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Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components. Jewelry findings can be as ornately decorated as the jewelry they are attached to, so that they enhance the finished item.

Embellished Artisan Ear Wires

by Abby Hook
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Lashing, Making Findings
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Jewelry findings can be as ornately decorated as the jewelry they are attached to, so that they enhance the finished item.
These embellished Artisan ear wires can be coordinated to match your earrings, or left as plain wire, without the beads. These ear wires measure 1 1/4" tall and 7/8" wide with the beads)

Materials

28 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-28D
  • Lesson Quantity: 40.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $0.77
  • Gold Club Price: $0.57
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20 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 7.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.50
  • Gold Club Price: $0.37
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3mm rondell gemstone beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 10.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Economy Nylon Jaw Pliers
G2-25
  • G2-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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C.H.P Milano Angled Flush Cutter, 5-1/4 Inches
PLR-489.00
  • PLR-489.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Instructions
Step 1:
Prepare the wire
Cut 2 pieces of 20 gauge wire 3 1/2” long each. Straighten the wire by holding one end in the chain nose pliers and pulling through the jaws of the nylon jaw pliers a couple of times. Mark the center of both pieces of wire with a marker pen.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Prepare the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, straighten the wire
Step 2:
Shape the wire
Carefully shape the center of the wire around the end of the ring mandrel, forming a complete circle.
Repeat on the other piece of wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Shape the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, shape around the mandrel
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Shape the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, repeat the shape on the other wire
Step 3:
Bend the wire
Grasp the wire at the pen mark with the flat nose pliers and bend by 80° so that the wire ends cross over.
Repeat on the other piece so they match.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Bend the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, Bend the wire in the center
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Bend the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, Bend both pieces in the middle
Step 4:
Finish shaping
Grasp one of the wires, just after the bend, with the nylon jaw pliers and gently squeeze to straighten that section of wire.
Repeat on the other side of the bend and on each end of wire. Notice how the shape changes. Repeat on the other ear wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Finish shaping, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, finish shaping with nylon jaw pliers
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Finish shaping, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, shape with nylon jaw pliers
Step 5:
Form a loop
Grasp one end of the wire with the round nose pliers and form a loop outwards, by turning the pliers. Guide the wire around the jaw with your thumb until it touches itself. Repeat on the second wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Form a loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, form a loop
Step 6:
Make the loop round
Notice how the loop is currently egg shaped. In order to make it round, hold the flat edge of the flush cutters at a 90° angle to the straight wire coming from the loop and snip the end off.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Make the loop round, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, flush cut the end of the loop
Step 7
Notice how this gives you an angled end. Use round nose pliers to close the loop again. Repeat on the other wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, notice the angled end
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, close the loops
Step 8:
Bend the other end
Grasp the straight end of the wire with the flat nose pliers and bend upwards by 70°. Repeat on the other ear wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Bend the other end, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, bend up the end
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Bend the other end, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, bend up the other end on both ear wires
Step 9:
File the ends
As the end of the wire needs to pass through he pierced ear, you have to ensure that it is smooth. Carefully file the end of the wire (or use a bur cup if you have one) to remove any sharp edges. Repeat on the second wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - File the ends, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, File the ends
Step 10:
Attach a new wire
Check that the 2 ear wires are a matched pair, by holding them against each other to compare and adjust as necessary. Now the ear wires are made, they are ready to embellish.
Cut a 20” length of 28 gauge wire and attach to one of the earwires, just above the loop, by coiling three times, leaving a 1” tail (to hold onto)

Pro Tip: To keep the coils straight and tight, keep the length of 28 gauge wire at a 90° angle to the frame wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Attach a new wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, attache 28g wire
Step 11:
Attach the beads
Thread 5 x 2-3mm roundel beads onto the 28-gauge wire.
Hold the beads in position against the frame wire with your thumb and forefinger of your less dominant hand and coil the 28 gauge around the ear wire 3 times to secure. Notice how the beads are still able to move around the frame wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Attach the beads, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, string on the beads onto the wire
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Attach the beads, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap 3 times on the earw wire frame
Step 12:
Begin to wrap the beads
To secure the beads tightly against the frame and also add extra detail the 28 gauge wire is wrapped around each bead and the frame. Begin the wrapping by passing the 28 gauge wire under the frame wire and between the first and second beads.
Pull tightly so that the edge of the bead sits against the ear wire.
Continue wrapping between each bead and round the frame until you have secured all 5 beads Coil the wire round the frame once to secure.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Begin to wrap the beads, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap between the beads
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Begin to wrap the beads, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, secure the wire tightly
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Begin to wrap the beads, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap between each of the 5 beads
Step 13:
Bring the wire back
To complete the first layer of the wrap, bring the 28 gauge wire under the frame wire and between the fourth and fifth beads. Pull tightly so that the wire locks into place.
Continue until you have wrapped all 5 beads. Check all beads are straight and adjust if necessary.

Pro Tip: Hold the beads in line with your thumb and forefinger of your less dominant hand while wrapping, to stop the beads turning on the frame wire.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Bring the wire back, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, bring the wire back between the 5th and 4th beads
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Bring the wire back, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap back up between each bead
Step 14:
Create the second wrap
Pass the 28 gauge wire under the frame wire, positioning it after the first cross of the wrapping underneath the frame. Notice how this positioning forces the wire to sit over the side of the bead.
Wrap all 5 beads in this way.
Bring the 28 gauge wire back in the same way, completing the second layer. Coil once to secure. Notice the pattern that you have created already.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Create the second wrap, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, create another wrap
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Create the second wrap, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap between all 5 beads again
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Create the second wrap, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap again
Step 15:
Final wrap
Turn the ear wire over, notice how the pattern is not as defined on this side. The final layer of wrapping rectifies this.
Pass the 28 gauge wire between the first and second bead and around the frame, before the existing wraps, pulling the wire over the side of the bead.

Complete all 5 beads, taking the wire back to the top of the wrapped beads. Coil 3 times to secure.
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Final wrap, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, turn the ear wire over
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Final wrap, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, wrap between the beads
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Final wrap, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, coil 3 times to secure
Step 16:
Trim the wires
Trim the wire ends so that they are on the inside of the frame and tuck in by carefully grasping the frame with the chain nose pliers and using a twisting motion, in the same direction as the coils, flattening the 28 gauge wire against the frame, securing it in place.
Repeat on the other ear wire. Close the earwires
Now all the wrapping work is complete, close the bend of the earwires to 80°.

They are now ready to use!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.
For comments or questions, please go to abbyhook.co.uk

Please do not distribute, lend or copy.
Do not mass produce.

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Copyrights 2017 Abby Hook
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Trim the wires, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, trim the wire ends
Abby Hook's Embellished Artisan Ear Wires - Trim the wires, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Findings, Clasps, Components, trim the second ear wire ends

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