This tutorial will be reminiscent of the
all in one headpin earrings tutorial I did before but a little trickier. Only this time you will be making all in one button earrings. Any 2 hole button (not too large) will work but the wooden heart ones with printed butterflies from
Bead and Button UK are especially pretty!
You will definitely need large bail forming pliers. It is a fantastic and very useful tool especially for making your own ear wires (also see links below). Cut 3-4 inches of 22 or 20G wire - half hard temper. Fold in half with one short end as shown below.
Poke the ends of the wire all the way through the holes with the short end at the bottom.
The long wire end should be perpendicular to the button. Grab the short end and flatten it against the button towards the top.
Use pliers and wrap the short wire end against the perpendicular one. Trim the short wire closer to the upright one.
Now bend the long wire end so it is flat and in line with the button.
The following 2 steps are crucial. If you don`t do these properly, the button will flop forward when worn. Really flatten the wire on both sides of the button with a nylon jawed pliers.
Now take the long end of the wire and bend it forward to the front of the button.
Place the bail forming pliers on the top of the button and bend the wire around the larger barrel.
I like to use my broad nose pliers to kink the ear wire a little. Using this pliers like so means the wire bends will be the same for both earrings.
Use either a cup bur file or a sanding pad to debur the wire ends. See
How to Debur Ear Wires.
One last step and that is to work harden the ear wires with some light hammering so they retain their shapes.
Before You Go: ______________________________
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