Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. These simple and yet lovely French Hook Ear Wires are so versatile and look great with so many projects!<br />
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Make perfect ear wires every time with your 6 Step Barrel Pliers.
French Hook Ear Wires
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Dapping, Making Findings, Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
These simple and yet lovely French Hook Ear Wires are so versatile and look great with so many projects!

Make perfect ear wires every time with your 6 Step Barrel Pliers. The back wire is a bit longer than the average ear wire so you do not have to worry about it slipping off your ear.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Half Hard 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.98
  • Gold Club Price: $0.74
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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 3mm - Pack of 25
K9-140
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.26
  • Gold Club Price: $2.45
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Tools

6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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Instructions
Step 1
Note: For the purposes of this tutorial, the 6 plier steps have been labeled in ascending order. These numbered steps will be referred to and where possible, mandrel sizes will be given as well. It is important to read through the directions before starting.
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, 6 step pliers
Step 2
Straighten and flush cut both ends of two 1-7/8″ pieces of 20 or 21 gauge wire for each pair of earrings.

Hint: If you only have dead soft wire, just twist it to harden it. Hammering will also harden it.
Step 3
Make an eye on one end of each wire using Step 1 (or 3/32″ mandrel) of the 6 step barrel pliers.
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Using 6 step pliers to make a loop
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Sterling silver filled wire with a loop
Step 4
If adding a bead, shift the eye around the pliers as shown so you can bend the wire tail back to center the eye on the wire end.
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Using 6 step Plier
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Adjusted Eye pin head
Step 5
Slide a bead on each wire. Push the bead tightly to the eye. Holding the tip of the flat nose pliers tightly to the bead, make a 70 degree bend in each wire. Note: Decide if you want the eye hole to thread from side to side (shown) or front to back and place it in the pliers accordingly.
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Added Sterling bead to Eye pin.
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Using Flat Head Pliers
Step 6
Pushing the bead tightly against the 6 step barrel pliers, grip one wire between Step 3 and Step 4 (or ¼" mandrel). Push the wire up, over and down around Step 4 (or ¼" mandrel).
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Using 6 step pliers
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Shaping ear wire with 6 step plier
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Shaped Ear Wire
Step 7
Grip the earring tip between Step 5 and 6 of the 6 step barrel pliers. Make a slight bend in the tip using Step 6 (or scant 3/8″ mandrel).
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Adding a tale with 6 step pliers
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Adding a tale with 6 step pliers
Step 8
Use a cup bur to smooth the cut end of each earring.
Step 9
Optional: Lightly hammer the front of the earring curve
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Using hammer and bench block to flatten ear wire
Step 10
Congratulations! You've made your first set of French Hook Ear Wires.
Judy Larson's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, 2 sets of French Ear Wires