You don't really have to be intimidated by metal smith techniques. Here is a very useful tutorial by Rebecca over at the My Girlish Whims blog.

Her Anthro Knock-Off Earrings tutorial covers the simple hammering of thick or heavy wire to form small strips and making holes in them for jump rings.  Both easy to do. The results are awesome!


She heavily textured the strips with her chasing hammer before using her metal hole puncher. The metal hole puncher is well worth getting because it lets you make holes in all kinds of metal findings where none existed before.

Although it is not critical in this case, I would recommend filing the cut ends of the cut wire in case there are sharp bits sticking out.

If you need help forming the hoops, grab something cylindrical in the size you like... even the nearest gadget!  (see link below)

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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