Making earwires is fairly simple. All you need is some 20 or 21 gauge wire (I usually use sterling silver or argentium silver, but you could use any kind of metal that doesn’t make your ears itch – in the example photos, I’m using 20g copper), a small round object to use as a mandrel, round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, a rubber mallet, and files or sandpaper to smooth out the ends of the wire.
Cut two pieces of wire the same length (1 1/2-2 inches will work)
Smooth both ends of the wire using a file
Make a loop at one end of the wire using round nose pliers
Wrap the wire around a pen or chapstick, or anything about that size that is round
Curve the end of the wire (optional)
You can choose whether you want to curve the end of the wire or not, depending on the look you want. If there is excess wire, trim it off & again smooth out the end using a file or sandpaper.
If necessary, use flat nose pliers to straighten out the loop
To harden the earwire so that it will stand up to wear, place it on a hard flat surface and whack it a few times with a rubber mallet, or other no-metal hammer. (not shown)
Finished earwires, one with a curved end and one without
If necessary, polish the earwires using any method you like (polishing cloth, tumbler, etc.)
September 4th, 2008 - 11:45 am
What a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing
September 4th, 2008 - 6:20 pm
very cool tutorial!
September 4th, 2008 - 6:43 pm
Very nice tutorial with clear helpful pictures–thanks for sharing this info with everyone
September 5th, 2008 - 2:43 am
Great tutorial … especially because you’re not using anything fancy.
Too bad I’m just too lazy! *lol*
September 5th, 2008 - 5:10 am
Hi,
Found you through a Google search for copper wire. I love tutorial blogs. Will come back again to see what you are up to.
Thanks,
Lois
September 5th, 2008 - 6:21 am
thanks for all the comment love! I have a few more tutorials in the works, let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to see.
September 5th, 2008 - 6:53 am
I love this tutorial! I’m only just getting into jewelry making and have been dying to make earrings (just for personal use, not business). This tutorial makes earring wire bending look so easy… But I’m sure it only looks easy because you are a jewelry master!!!
September 23rd, 2008 - 7:45 pm
What a cool tutorial, Leah. You know, I always make my earwires one at a time…never occured to me to do the pair at the same time on the mandral! LOL Nice tip.
December 17th, 2008 - 8:29 pm
I just made a set and wow was that easy. You made it so simple!
Thank You
Jill
December 20th, 2008 - 8:39 am
I’m so glad my tutorial was helpful!
February 1st, 2009 - 2:16 pm
These are great! I’ve tried different kinds of patterns, and these are nice and have great illustrations.
May 11th, 2009 - 10:55 am
Love this, it’s fun to find out what kind of sophisticated tools you use, like a chapstick or pen.
May 11th, 2009 - 12:28 pm
yeah well, I’m all about the fancy tools!! chapstick is one of my favorites.
May 12th, 2009 - 10:23 am
Good idea but what about copper poisoning ?
You should use wires that you are 100% sure that isn’t poisonous. Heavy metal poisoning does not occur simultenaously. Happens in years
May 12th, 2009 - 10:25 am
Copper is not poisonous. I don’t know where you heard that it was, but that is absolutely not true. While it can irritate some people’s skin or turn your skin green, it is completely safe to wear. Copper is an ingredient in sterling silver and 14 karat gold, so even if you are wearing precious metal wires, there is some copper coming in contact with your skin.
May 12th, 2009 - 1:02 pm
This site says otherwise about copper poisoning. http://www.healthscout.com/ency/1/002496.html
Sterling silver is an alloy, and therefore has different properties than pure silver or copper.
May 12th, 2009 - 5:32 pm
That site doesn’t really say anything about copper poisoning except that it’s an overdose of copper – you can overdose on vitamin A, but you aren’t going to hear people say that carrots are poisonous because the contain vitamin A. Copper is commonly used in jewelry as well as copper pots for cooking. I would think if you could get copper poisoning from contact with the metal, it would be far more dangerous to use copper cookware than to wear a copper accessory. I will do some research, but honestly, I am 100% certain that it is safe to wear copper jewelry. If you don’t think it’s safe, don’t wear it.
May 12th, 2009 - 5:33 pm
Also, it is possible to overdose on silver too – there are drinkable silver tinctures that people take for some kind of ailment, and I’ve heard of cases where that is toxic. It’s very different to consume metal than to touch it, which is probably why it is safe to wear silver jewelry but not necessarily safe to eat silver.
May 12th, 2009 - 6:37 pm
Really nice work. Your rings look similar to rings sold at Renassaince Festival made by local artisans. I’ve always wanted to buy one, but talked myself out of it because they’re so expensive. Now I can just make my own.
May 12th, 2009 - 6:49 pm
Copper is a naturally occurring element in your body. The FDA even recommends a certain amount to ingest each day.
That being said, I wouldn’t eat copper jewelry. Since the FDA recommends we eat small amounts of copper daily, I can’t imagine that wearing it would cause problems for 99% of the population.
May 13th, 2009 - 2:56 am
That link isn’t even an article about anything! It’s a medical encyclopedia that that says the definition of copper poisoning is an overdose of copper. Duh! The definition of any kind of poisoning is an overdose of the thing in question. Brilliant. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using copper in jewelry. If you have a sensitivity to it, don’t wear it. Most jewelry designers will be happy to replace copper ear wires with sterling silver (still containing copper) if you request it.
May 13th, 2009 - 5:52 am
e liquid – I’m assuming you meant earrings? It does take some practice, of course, to get good at it, but I think it’s a lot of fun.
Thanks Debbie and Mary for the copper info.
May 13th, 2009 - 8:10 am
Simple & easy to follow for those who want to make their own earwires out of any metal (not just copper), Leah
I’ve been making my own earwires for ages, and only buy when I need leverbacks.
In fact copper has positive properties, such as copper jewlery being worn to alleviate aches & pains by those who suffer from arthiritis! Anyone who can’t wear copper because it turns their skin green or has an allergic reaction probly already knows that, and would opt for silver or gold. I can’t imagine why one would consider it unsafe or poisonous, unless they intend on swallowing the earwires, sheesh! lol
May 13th, 2009 - 2:52 pm
I have always been buying ear wires from suppliers… great to know how to make them on my own! Totally fab tutorial! Thanks for sharing!!!
http://be-a-glitzer.blogspot.com/
May 13th, 2009 - 8:45 pm
hey now thats kool,will b makin`some soon!!
September 6th, 2009 - 9:51 pm
The copper poison referred to is from ingesting (eating). In some areas of the world,like the Caribbean,a common cause of fish poisioning is by eating fish that has ingested a large amount of copper from certain areas, feeding banks, etc in the ocean. Just like you can get mercury poisioning from eating too much contaminated salmon,etc.