Some people use ball headpins for this style of all in one headpin earrings. However, you can also use headpins for the faux metal work look! I made this pair of earrings for myself using stainless steel headpins from
Prima Bead's latest products.
I was testing both the hypoallergenic qualities of the stainless steel used in their range of products as well as the strength of these 2.5" thin (approximately 24G) headpins. I had no trouble wearing the earrings given how sensitive I am to nickel. Stainless steel is a strong metal and the thinner gauge worked. I would not be making this style with 24G sterling silver that's for sure.
One reader left a comment
in yesterday's post asking about possible lead content. Stainless steel is an iron alloy and needs at least 10.5% chromium to have its stainless and rustless properties. As far as I know, lead is not typically used in stainless steel alloys. Perhaps a material scientist out there could confirm?
Only a nerd like me would do this! I actually tested these stainless steel components with a magnet and found they were by in large, not magnetic. I guess it is an alloy with a higher than normal chromium content without no nickel similar to the 400 series. To be sure, we'd have to ask Prima Bead. You can read more about why magnets don't work on some stainless steel in
this Scientific American article.
Anna of Almost Precious was relieved to know that the findings were not magnetic. She said,
"I once purchased some stainless steel chain and then realized I could not use a magnetic clasp with it because it was attracted to the magnet. It was not a pretty sight, sort of like wearing a skirt with a lot of static cling. :D" LOL!
You can make this pair in about 1 minute. Really! Here is what you need :
I used 8 mm faceted rondelles but you can use anything you like including pearls which I think are are also fabulous for this style. Just make sure the little bead caps you use are correctly proportioned for the size of beads you use.
First add the beads and bead caps as you would a dangle.
Next carefully bend the head pin to a 90 degree angle at the base of the bead only. Keep the rest of the headpin straight.
Keep bending past the 90 degree angle until the wire can't go further.
The next step is so much easier and quicker if you have large bail forming pliers as you can grip the wire between its jaws. If you don't have this tool, use a marker pen as a mandrel. Make sure you place either tool at the top of the bead.
The larger jaw should be placed away from you. The dimension of this jaw is perfect for the curved parts of earrings.
Now bend the rest of the headpin around that cylinder.
Not quite done. The earrings still look a little too long.
So I put them together and trimmed just under 1/2" off with wire cutters. Note that stainless steel is a lot stronger than the other metals we usually use, so heavy duty cutters are needed. And you'll need to exert some force too!
Cup burs don't work well with stainless steel either. So I removed the burs by stroking the cut ends (in one direction) a few times across an abrasive pad.
The easiest way to make a kink at the wire ends simultaneously is to use a flat nose pliers.
Even though the stainless steel was strong, this jewelry grade metal still needs some work hardening by lightly hammering it. I used a nylon hammer because I didn't want to flatten the wire. Another benefit of using stainless steel wire is its resistance to tool marks!
The resulting earrings are elegant in a minimalist sort of way, strong and yet light to wear!
Disclosure Before You Go: ______________________________
Original Post by
THE BEADING GEM Jewelry Making Tips -
Jewelry Business Tips 
No comments:
Post a Comment