We know wrapped loops are very secure. But they also have another function. You can tighten, say, a beaded dangle so the beads do not move. However, it is not so easy with simple loops. I have earrings from a jewelry set I made years ago which I haven't worn. I had used niobium head pins for the hematite/hemalyke and metallic painted wood discs design. I was reluctant to redo the design as that might distort the perfect loops or at worst, waste the headpins.
As you can see from the above left earrings, the wood discs flopped over to one side. There just was too much space in between :
The easiest solution is to create wire grommets. Basically making a tightening ring by winding wire around the headpin. I used black craft wire to match the design.
I ended up doing another wire grommet above the set of wooden discs to tighten up even more.
The trickiest part is to trim the wire ends properly and to tuck down the ends.
Almost there... As you can see from the earring on the right (below) a wire end is sticking out! The headpin on the right earring also needed straightening out.
So once I corrected those issues, I was good to go! Here are the earrings which go with the hematite (really hemalyke) and lamp work beaded necklace.
I have used my earrings as an example but there are probably other situations which could be corrected with this method. What do you think?
Photography
I used my iPhone 6S with the Camera+ app and my Modahaus TS400 photo studio in natural light for all these photos. (Note : the Modahaus is no longer available)
My online class Easy Guide to Smartphone Jewelry Photography is now available. Read more about it here.
Before You Go:
Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Before You Go:
- How to Make All in One Headpin Earrings
- Super Headpin Tip on Beaded Pendants
- Clever Coiled Headpin Idea for Bracelets
Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
I have corrected similar situations by redoing the pieces with crimps, but I have never tried winding wire. Seems like an easier alternative. Thanks for sharing Pearl
ReplyDeleteI agree crimps can work for some situations when there is room. In this case, I had no choice but to use wire.
DeleteGreat tip! I have a few pieces I will be using this method on immediately.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help!! Seems a shame to be unhappy with some floppy designs!
DeleteAren't you the smart cookie! This is such a great idea Pearl! It's a simple solution to an annoying problem. I can see it will come in handy for a lot of people's design problems.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly one of those palm to the forehead solutions!
Necessity is the Mother of Invention, as they say....
Deletetyvm great or earrings or pendants!
ReplyDeleteYou continually find or create wonderful and helpful ideas. Thank you so very much. No more wasted head pins for me, or at least less of them.
ReplyDeleteClever solution Pearl.
ReplyDelete