{"id":6842,"date":"2017-03-17T09:30:06","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T09:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/?p=6842"},"modified":"2022-02-10T08:43:54","modified_gmt":"2022-02-10T08:43:54","slug":"how-to-use-headpins-and-eyepins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/learn\/how-to-use-headpins-and-eyepins\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Use Headpins And Eyepins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Using headpins<\/a> and eyepins<\/a> for jewellery making is an essential skill that, once mastered, will help you create a number of designs with minimal effort. Forming wire loops using headpins and eyepins is primarily to secure beads<\/a> into place, but they don\u2019t just have to be functional. A simple method can be used to make eyepin and headpin loops an additional feature of your design, as well as being a functional finding that holds your piece together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use our guide below to master the basic techniques of how to use headpins and eyepins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to use headpins in jewellery making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What are headpins used for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Headpins are thin pieces of wire, with a flattened piece of metal at one end, also known as the \u201chead\u201d. The head acts as a stopper, ensuring beads are secured onto the wire. At the other end of the headpin, the wire is flush cut to make it easier to use. Headpins are normally available in different precious metals and alloys. The most common materials used by jewellery makers include sterling silver, gold-plated or brass-plated silver, gunmetal, antique copper and brass. Both headpins and eyepins are available at jewellery findings suppliers in varying lengths \u2013 this comes in handy when you\u2019re working with larger beads that will require that extra bit of wire wrapping to secure in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In jewellery making, headpins are often used to create earring dangles that feature beads or gemstones<\/a>. They can also be used to create bead or charm links using a wire wrapping technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"dropper-beads-and-wire\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Making loops with headpins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. Thread your bead or charm onto the headpin so that it gently rests at the head of the pin.<\/li>
  2. Make sure there is enough wire above the bead to create a loop \u2013 this should be about 1cm.<\/li>
  3. Take a set of round nose pliers<\/a> and bend the wire at a right angle.<\/li>
  4. Gripping the wire in your round nose pliers, start to rotate the pliers towards the bend in the wire that you have already made, creating a half loop.<\/li>
  5. Adjust your pliers as you continue to rotate them and bend the wire \u2013 this will help you to form a full loop.<\/li>
  6. Take a set of flat nosed pliers<\/a> to close the loop, remembering to add any other element or link that you would like to add before tightly closing the loop.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Beginner Tip: Still getting to grips with your round nose pliers? Use a marker to indicate 5mm from the tip of your pliers. This will give you an accurate point at which you can clamp and rotate the wire for a small, neat loop.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to use eyepins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Eyepins are an excellent time saver when it comes to bringing your jewellery pieces together, as they already have a loop at one end, and can be easily manipulated to create bead links fairly quickly. Similarly to headpins, they can be bought in a number of metals and lengths depending on the look you want to create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n