How to Make Handmade Silver Ear Wires ( Earwires )

I would like to share how I make some of my earwires, starting with a very classic design. You can practice using silver plated or other wire but I would recommend that you only use sterling silver wire when you make wires that are actually going to go through your ear. You will find more designs on my website http://www.lavidalerie.com/Findings.html

Materials and Tools
5cm of 0.8mm wire
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Hammer
Small anvil or bench block
File or Web and dry paper
A pen (I'll explain this later)

1. Cut 5cm of wire (straighten it if necessary) and use your round nose pliers to make a loop at one end (a lollipop loop rather than a d shape)

2. Use your file or wet and dry paper to round the other end of the wire until it is smooth - This is very important as any sharp edges will scratch the ear and possibly damage the pierced hole.

3. Put your pen about half way up the wire (nearer to the loop that the other end) and push the wire around the pen until it looks like this. (the thicker the pen the larger the loop)

TIP - start collecting different size pens to make differnt ear wires)

4. Use the round nose pliers to make a small "kick" at the end of the wire (this looks nice and makes it easier to put the ear wires in.

5. You could stop at this point but your ear wires are still soft and if you open the wire it will stay open. We are going to "work harden" then wire by hammering it. Note - If your hammer is scratched the marks will transfer onto the wire. Hammer the top of the curve (don't go mad ! If you hammer too much the ear wire will be too thin and will be uncomfortable). You should now find that the ear wires are springy.

6. Now make a matching one.

Polishing and Hardening
If you own a tumbler for polishing silver you can tumble your ear wires to harden and polish them but this isn't essential.

Experiment with different lenghts of wire and different size pens - These were made with 6cm of wire.

These cute little ear wires are simple to make and look really good with a variety of earrings (see bottom for examples)

For materials and tools please see previous posting.

1. Cut 4cm of wire and straighten it if necessary.

2. Find some sort of tube with a diameter of about 3cm (mini hairspray or body spray cans are great).

TIP - keep looking out for objects you can wrap wire round.

3. Press the wire around the tube so you end up with a curved piece of wire.

4. Using your round nose pliers make a loop at one end (a d shaped loop rather than a lollipop).

5. Using your file or wet and dry paper to smooth off the other end of the wire (I can't say this enough - this is very important, any rough edges can scratch the ear and may damage the pierced hole.

6. Place your pliers about half way down the wire (closer to the end without the loop (use chain nose if you have a pair) and bend the earwires to about a 45 degree angle (a right angle).

7. Make a matching one and attach your earrings and rush around showing your friends how clever you are !

8. Here are some example earrings using these earwires.