How To.......Make a pair of earring findings

This week I will show you how to make a simple pair of fishhook earring findings. I make them in copper wire, but you can use any sort of jewellery wire you wish - silver-plated, gold-plated, brass, even some of these coloured enamel ones that are for sale; as long as they are at least 0.8mm thick.

You will need -

Tools - Round-nose pliers, flush cutters, tape measure, jewellery file, hammer and steel block.

Something to bend the wire round - I use a knitting needle, usually a 6-7mm, or you could use a piece of dowel.

Wire (at least 0.8-1.0 mm thick) whatever type you wish to use, about 6".

Method -

Using the flush cutters and ruler, cut the wire in half.

Next, take the round-nose pliers, and wind a loop at the bottom of each piece, about halfway down the jaws of the pliers.  Place the knitting needle/dowel about 1cm above the loops on the opposite side of the wire, and bend the wire around so that the ends point straight down.

Remove the knitting needle/dowel. Place each finding in turn on your steel block and hammer the top curve of each one to stop it unbending. Then put the findings back on the dowel and, using your flush cutters, trim the ends to the desired length.

Using your jewellery file, smooth the ends flat.

Necklace ideas

Today I bought a mixed jar of beads at my local HobbyCraft, because I had an idea for making some simple bead necklaces just on copper wire, each bead separate and a variation on a theme of one colour for each necklace.

Pictures to follow....

First post

Hi there,

It's been suggested (by my sister) that I start a jewellery blog; all about my work and my designs. All of the aforementioned come from my own head, and I will be putting a few photos and pictures on here so people can see them.

We (my sister and I) sell our items online in an Etsy shop; I make the jewellery, she makes textile accessories such as hair combs and brooches and knitted & crocheted artisan cowls.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shalotte

Here are a few photos of my pieces, more will follow plus some descriptions of how to make simple pieces, etc, I hope.

I hope you will continue to follow my blog as I take you through my work during the months to come.......