Balled Headpin Charm Tutorial

I was so thrilled when we decided to focus on some handmade tutorials this year...and thought I would offer up something else to consider for the balled headpin.

I know most headpins are going to be either 20, 22 or 24 gauge, but if you have a mixed gas torch, you can ball up any gauge of wire for a headpin.

If you are using a big-holed bead, you can use up to 12 gauge wire as a headpin!  If you cut off the top of the pin once you have placed a bead on it, and then flatten it out with a chasing hammer, you can use your small needle nose pliers to make a sort of bail instead of doing a loop.  I have a small example of what I am talking about in my demonstration below.

Instead of using a bead, I decided to solder on a 5mm calibrated bezel and set a 5mm cab for a very small charm.  I used 16 gauge sterling silver wire and balled up one end, then used my chasing hammer to flatten out the ball.

I then took my sanding band and smoothed the now-rounded end, and soldered on the bezel cup, and set my stone. I flush cut the top to about a 1/4 inch, then flattened out the top part of the remaining wire, and quickly turned it under for a bail...instant charm! 

Now all I need to do is figure out what to do with it!  

Use your imagination and see how else you can use a balled headpin in your work! We can't wait to see what you come up with!!

xo, 

Stacie Florer