Handmade ear wires are the perfect finishing touch for your handmade earrings. Grab my bundle of five different ear wires tutorials today and save 25% off of the regular price! bit.ly/DIYEarWireBundle
Thanks so much 🙏🏻I tried doing this via another video where as she used the joined hooked at front which when cut made my ear hooks crooked,I’ve subscribed bless ya!
Hi, thank you so much for the tutorial! I got really frustrated with two unmatched pairs of ear wires and you came to the rescue! :D I was able to make two beautiful rose colored earring hooks that matched and identical! I hammered a bit just like you instructed and they look expensive! 😂 Thank you so much!
Hello, what are you coating your earrings with to keep them from oxidizing and dirtying your ears? If it is a varnish, what kind of varnish? I'm asking because the earrings bend and the lacquer cracks when I use them. How are you solving this problem? Thank you.
@@natanata9769 I get this question a lot, and my answer is always the same. I don't coat my jewelry with any sort of varnish, lacquer, or anything else. I prefer raw copper because it's much easier to maintain. That being said, I don't have any problems with it discoloring my skin. It sounds like you're not hardening your ear wires enough if they're bending easily. Maybe consider switching to half hard wire instead of dead soft. That will help you achieve a higher degree of stiffness that will minimize the sort of flexion that can crack your chosen varnish. Personally, I clean my jewelry frequently (maybe once a week for the pieces I wear daily, less frequently for those I don't wear as often) with a Sunshine cloth. I find that's all I need to do to keep my jewelry looking its best and to keep it from staining my skin.
I'm happy to help. Thanks for watching! Are there any other tips, tricks, or hacks you'd like to learn? I always get my best video suggestions from viewers, so please feel free to make suggestions any time!
Gold filled wire is typically filled with a brass core, which is a little harder and springer than copper. So, either dead soft or half-hard gold filled wire will work well. I prefer half hard wire for ear wires, but if you find it difficult to work with you can use dead soft wire and just take a few seconds to work harden your ear wires after you form them.
I have a question about the hardness of the wire do you use a soft round wire or a half hard type . I hope you get a chance to read this and answer my question please and thanks
I used dead soft wire for this project. That's generally what I recommend for most of my tutorials. About the only thing I use half hard wire for is making ear wires and findings.
The material specs for all my tutorials are available on my blog. Go to door44studios.com to find all the info you'll need to make any of my eat wire designs.
You can cut two separate wires if you like. Do what works best for you. But I find that it's more work to form two separate pieces of wire at the same time because the wires tend to shift as you form them. Essentially, the fold helps to stabilize the wire as you form it and the end result is a cleaner more symmetrical pair of finished ear wires.
Thank you! Do you use copper for your wires? I made some out of copper and had no issues wearing them. I’ve seen where some people don’t use copper for their wires. What has been your experience! Thank you Wendy!
I do use copper for ear wires on all of my copper jewelry. I'm one of those people who doesn't have any trouble wearing copper. It never stains my skin, and I find it very comfortable to wear. But if you're selling jewelry, it's always a good idea to give people an option to choose copper ear wires or another metal that's not prone to staining skin for those who have an acidic ph level. I used to make all of my earrings available with either copper or sterling silver ear wires. Then I stopped making silver jewelry, so I started offering handmade copper ear wires or commercially made lever back wires. And now that I'm getting out of the business of selling jewelry entirely, I think most of the earrings that I have left in stock have copper ear wires. In all the years that I've been selling jewelry, though, I've never had anyone complain about copper ear wires. That being said, I think most people who buy my jewelry are like me in that they know they have no issues with wearing copper.
Thank you so much for letting me know the original cutters I suggested are sold out! I've updated the description with a comparable pair of wire cutters that will work just as well, and I've included it here so you don't have to go back and search for it: amzn.to/43p2gEF Thanks again! I really appreciate you letting me know that I needed to update that link!
You can use whatever gauge you like but 20ga is the industry standard. 18ga and 16ga will generally be too thick and uncomfortable for the vast majority of pierced ears.
I am new to jewelry making and I loved your instruction here--I've been fiddling around with wires and now I understand how to shape them so they will be identical. Also, the hardening technique is very helpful! I appreciate your sharing!
You mention " half hard" wire in copper, but here in the UK it seems harder to get hold of, ive got every gauge in "soft" but no matter how much i try to harden it , its still not quite hard enough any suggestions? and i LOVE using copper, i want to make my own ear wires but i know they have to be sturdy enough to use ?
The best way to harden wire is to work it. So, use your nylon mallet and bench block. Or roll short lengths of wire between your bench block and a small piece of hardwood while pressing firmly on the wire. That does two things: it hardens your wire and it straightens it, which is super helpful when making ear wires. Also, wire has a memory, so the longer your ear wires remain in the shape that you initially form, the harder they'll get over time. And keep in mind that ear wires do need to be stiff enough to hold their shape, but they don't need to be as hard as commercially made steel ear wires. So, don't get too worked up about that. You just want them to be hard enough to maintain their shape when someone is putting them on or taking them off. Most people are pretty easy on earrings because if you pull on them hard enough to bend the ear wires, it's also going to hurt your ears.
great tutorial - can't wait to make my own ear wires! You mentioned using super flush cutters but I didn't see them with the list of tools - what kind do you use?
Handmade ear wires are the best thing ever! Once you start making your own, you'll never go back to buying manufactured wires. My super flush cutters are Swanstrom brand cutters, which I purchased from Rio Grande. They're pricy, but worth it! Here's a link to the same cutters that I use (this is not a sponsored link): www.riogrande.com/product/swanstrom-super-flush-cutters/111717GP/?code=111717
Great question! I don't use non-tarnishing wire because it doesn't work well for my particular style of jewelry. Because I frequently use a torch and/or a hammer during the fabrication of my jewelry, I use solid, raw (uncoated) wires only. Also, there's really no such thing (IMO) as non-tarnishing wire. Any type of coating will eventually wear off, chip off, or crack and craze. And the exposed wire will then begin to tarnish because that's just the nature of most jewelry wires (gold is the only real exception). So, I feel that a better way to maintain the finish on my jewelry is simply to store it in a clean, dry area and to touch up the finish with a polishing cloth whenever tarnish starts to build up. It only takes a minute or two each day, and it's become part of my daily routine to quickly polish my jewelry before I put it on.
@@Door44Studios Thanks so much for responding about the tarnish info.If I may ask again what bands do you suggest is best to use other than gold or silver?
@@LarkBird7 I don't believe I've ever seen bail-making pliers sold as part of a set. You can definitely buy them individually on Amazon, though. Here's my affiliate link: amzn.to/3SajuRW
@@SignatureCaro thank you. I'm so glad your find my videos helpful! Is there anything in particular that you'd like me to teach? I happily take video requests! 😊
Handmade ear wires are the perfect finishing touch for your handmade earrings. Grab my bundle of five different ear wires tutorials today and save 25% off of the regular price! bit.ly/DIYEarWireBundle
Thanks so much 🙏🏻I tried doing this via another video where as she used the joined hooked at front which when cut made my ear hooks crooked,I’ve subscribed bless ya!
I'm so glad this tutorial worked for you! And thanks for subscribing. I'm happy to have you here on my channel. 😊
That was a terrific tutorial and you covered everything thoroughly! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, very much appreciated ! New sub!
Welcome to Door 44! I'm so glad you enjoyed this tutorial enough to subscribe. That's the best compliment I can ask for. 😊
Hi, thank you so much for the tutorial! I got really frustrated with two unmatched pairs of ear wires and you came to the rescue! :D I was able to make two beautiful rose colored earring hooks that matched and identical! I hammered a bit just like you instructed and they look expensive! 😂 Thank you so much!
@@KittenBowl1 you're very welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting:
You sure do go through a lot, just to make ear wires..........
My videos are intended for beginner wireworkers. Sounds like you might have stumbled upon the wrong channel for your particular skill level. 🤷
Appreciate all your extra info. I am a total beginner and love all the extra background info that more experienced makers probably take for granted 🫶🙌
Maybe but they are perfectly perfecto!!
Please note: wire cutters need to be smooth, free of dents or chips!
Yes, of course. 😊
Lovely ❤️ the hardening trick was very helpful I haven't tried that one yet
It is a very useful trick. Thanks for watching! 😊
Hello, what are you coating your earrings with to keep them from oxidizing and dirtying your ears? If it is a varnish, what kind of varnish? I'm asking because the earrings bend and the lacquer cracks when I use them. How are you solving this problem? Thank you.
@@natanata9769 I get this question a lot, and my answer is always the same. I don't coat my jewelry with any sort of varnish, lacquer, or anything else. I prefer raw copper because it's much easier to maintain. That being said, I don't have any problems with it discoloring my skin.
It sounds like you're not hardening your ear wires enough if they're bending easily. Maybe consider switching to half hard wire instead of dead soft. That will help you achieve a higher degree of stiffness that will minimize the sort of flexion that can crack your chosen varnish.
Personally, I clean my jewelry frequently (maybe once a week for the pieces I wear daily, less frequently for those I don't wear as often) with a Sunshine cloth. I find that's all I need to do to keep my jewelry looking its best and to keep it from staining my skin.
Silly me, I’ve been making my ear wires one at a time… Oof! Thank you so much for this game changing tip!
I'm happy to help. Thanks for watching! Are there any other tips, tricks, or hacks you'd like to learn? I always get my best video suggestions from viewers, so please feel free to make suggestions any time!
Thank you so much made a great pair of ear ring loops thanks love the way you take time to explain ❤😊🥰
@@jakkibaker1818 I'm happy to help. Thanks for watching!
What is the best wire to use for gold-filled wire wrap earrings? Half-hard gold filled? Or is there another metal that’s stronger for ear wires?
Gold filled wire is typically filled with a brass core, which is a little harder and springer than copper. So, either dead soft or half-hard gold filled wire will work well. I prefer half hard wire for ear wires, but if you find it difficult to work with you can use dead soft wire and just take a few seconds to work harden your ear wires after you form them.
I have a question about the hardness of the wire do you use a soft round wire or a half hard type . I hope you get a chance to read this and answer my question please and thanks
I used dead soft wire for this project. That's generally what I recommend for most of my tutorials. About the only thing I use half hard wire for is making ear wires and findings.
Thank you so much from Austria! Great Help!!!!
What's the length needed to do the flourish French wires?
The material specs for all my tutorials are available on my blog. Go to door44studios.com to find all the info you'll need to make any of my eat wire designs.
I'm curious why you just didn't cut two 2 inch wires?
You can cut two separate wires if you like. Do what works best for you. But I find that it's more work to form two separate pieces of wire at the same time because the wires tend to shift as you form them. Essentially, the fold helps to stabilize the wire as you form it and the end result is a cleaner more symmetrical pair of finished ear wires.
Thank you! Do you use copper for your wires? I made some out of copper and had no issues wearing them. I’ve seen where some people don’t use copper for their wires. What has been your experience! Thank you Wendy!
I do use copper for ear wires on all of my copper jewelry. I'm one of those people who doesn't have any trouble wearing copper. It never stains my skin, and I find it very comfortable to wear. But if you're selling jewelry, it's always a good idea to give people an option to choose copper ear wires or another metal that's not prone to staining skin for those who have an acidic ph level. I used to make all of my earrings available with either copper or sterling silver ear wires. Then I stopped making silver jewelry, so I started offering handmade copper ear wires or commercially made lever back wires. And now that I'm getting out of the business of selling jewelry entirely, I think most of the earrings that I have left in stock have copper ear wires. In all the years that I've been selling jewelry, though, I've never had anyone complain about copper ear wires. That being said, I think most people who buy my jewelry are like me in that they know they have no issues with wearing copper.
@@Door44Studios I guess I’ll have the commercial lever backs as a back up thank you!
That's a good plan. You're very welcome! 👍
Thanks for sharing!!!! I got my new pliers today...didn't need them... but convenient to reach for 1 tool instead of several.
I know just what you mean. I have all the tools I need but sometimes the right new tool really does make things easier or more convenient. Enjoy!
is there a new link for super flush cutters? the description one says currently unavailable.
Thank you so much for letting me know the original cutters I suggested are sold out! I've updated the description with a comparable pair of wire cutters that will work just as well, and I've included it here so you don't have to go back and search for it: amzn.to/43p2gEF Thanks again! I really appreciate you letting me know that I needed to update that link!
@@Door44Studios thank you!!
@@Zyswest my pleasure! ☺️
Why not 16 or 18 gage for earing hoops?
You can use whatever gauge you like but 20ga is the industry standard. 18ga and 16ga will generally be too thick and uncomfortable for the vast majority of pierced ears.
I am new to jewelry making and I loved your instruction here--I've been fiddling around with wires and now I understand how to shape them so they will be identical. Also, the hardening technique is very helpful! I appreciate your sharing!
Welcome to Door 44! I'm so glad you found this technique helpful. ☺️
You mention " half hard" wire in copper, but here in the UK it seems harder to get hold of, ive got every gauge in "soft" but no matter how much i try to harden it , its still not quite hard enough any suggestions? and i LOVE using copper, i want to make my own ear wires but i know they have to be sturdy enough to use ?
The best way to harden wire is to work it. So, use your nylon mallet and bench block. Or roll short lengths of wire between your bench block and a small piece of hardwood while pressing firmly on the wire. That does two things: it hardens your wire and it straightens it, which is super helpful when making ear wires. Also, wire has a memory, so the longer your ear wires remain in the shape that you initially form, the harder they'll get over time. And keep in mind that ear wires do need to be stiff enough to hold their shape, but they don't need to be as hard as commercially made steel ear wires. So, don't get too worked up about that. You just want them to be hard enough to maintain their shape when someone is putting them on or taking them off. Most people are pretty easy on earrings because if you pull on them hard enough to bend the ear wires, it's also going to hurt your ears.
great tutorial - can't wait to make my own ear wires! You mentioned using super flush cutters but I didn't see them with the list of tools - what kind do you use?
Handmade ear wires are the best thing ever! Once you start making your own, you'll never go back to buying manufactured wires. My super flush cutters are Swanstrom brand cutters, which I purchased from Rio Grande. They're pricy, but worth it! Here's a link to the same cutters that I use (this is not a sponsored link): www.riogrande.com/product/swanstrom-super-flush-cutters/111717GP/?code=111717
thanks a lot, I can make perfectly matched ear wires now,.I just made 2 pairs
Yay!! I'm so glad you found this tutorial helpful! And now that you know the secret, you'll never have to buy manufactured ear wires again. 😊
What brand of wire do you suggest is best for non tarnishing
Great question! I don't use non-tarnishing wire because it doesn't work well for my particular style of jewelry. Because I frequently use a torch and/or a hammer during the fabrication of my jewelry, I use solid, raw (uncoated) wires only. Also, there's really no such thing (IMO) as non-tarnishing wire. Any type of coating will eventually wear off, chip off, or crack and craze. And the exposed wire will then begin to tarnish because that's just the nature of most jewelry wires (gold is the only real exception). So, I feel that a better way to maintain the finish on my jewelry is simply to store it in a clean, dry area and to touch up the finish with a polishing cloth whenever tarnish starts to build up. It only takes a minute or two each day, and it's become part of my daily routine to quickly polish my jewelry before I put it on.
@@Door44Studios Thanks so much for responding about the tarnish info.If I may ask again what bands do you suggest is best to use other than gold or silver?
This is the best tutorial ever.
I'm so glad you think so. Thanks for watching! 😊
Thank you! These are the easiest and best way I’ve seen yet. I’m definitely heading to your Etsy store to get the rest.
Thank you, @sherihinton8183 -- I'm so glad you like this technique!
Great ideas! Good tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure!
Thank you!!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
The best ear wire tutorial ever. Ever pair is perfect now!!!!! 🎉❤🎉
I'm so happy to hear that, Karen. Enjoy!
Great tutorial I’m grabbing the DIY bundle!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for buying the tutorial bundle! I appreciate your support.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you!
My pleasure. :)
You are left handed like me , so you’re video helps
@@suzannedarveau5658 I'm always happy to help out a fellow left-handed maker. 👍
What is the name of the tool
To make the loop ?
They're called stepped bail-making pliers. Beadsmith makes some that are almost identical to mine in terms of the sizes of the six stepped mandrels.
Amazon have a set of tools with bail makers in it
@@LarkBird7 I don't believe I've ever seen bail-making pliers sold as part of a set. You can definitely buy them individually on Amazon, though. Here's my affiliate link: amzn.to/3SajuRW
@@Door44Studios I’m in Australia,bought them off Amazon aus
@@LarkBird7 glad you found some. They're great tools to have!
16 or 18 gauge for earing wire?
I use 20ga pretty much exclusively for my ear wires as that's what's most comfortable for me. Feel free to use any gauge that suits you personally. 😊
Thank you. I didn't know if 20 gauge was strong enough.
Can I harden sterling silver wire like that ?
You sure can! This technique works with any type of wire.
Wow thank you so much for this video!! I learned a lot!! Thank you!!
You're very welcome. I'm glad it was helpful!
@@Door44Studios oh it was sooo helpful and it boosted my self esteem about making them 🤩
@@jewelrybyjewelz that's wonderful! I love hearing that because it's exactly why I started this channel. 😊
Fantastic tips! Thanks!!
You're so welcome, Caroline. Thanks for watching!
@@Door44Studios Always watch your videos! They're great! :D
@@SignatureCaro thank you. I'm so glad your find my videos helpful! Is there anything in particular that you'd like me to teach? I happily take video requests! 😊
Thank you 😊 best tutorial
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
Excellent demonstration.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.