French Hook Ear Wires | Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin

French Hook Ear Wires

by Natalie Patten

Category: Findings
Technique(s): Coiling
Skill Level: Beginner

Making your own earring hooks can be really helpful to ensure they match the wire used to create wire wrapped earrings. If you create them simultaneously on the pliers, they will match each other exactly.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Full Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20FH

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $4.24
Gold Club Price: $3.18

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26 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-26H

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.00
Gold Club Price: $0.75

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Silver Filled Bright Beads Seamless (H: 0.9mm) 3mm - Pack of 50

S9-10

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.14
Gold Club Price: $3.11

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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
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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6 1/2 Inch Bail Making Pliers

G2-18

G2-18
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.78
Gold Club Price: $9.58

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10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm

G14-8

G14-8
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.57
Gold Club Price: $10.18

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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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Instructions

Step 1

Cut the 20-gauge wire to 4 inches in length

Natalie Patten's French Hook Ear Wires - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, french hook ear wires

Step 2

Bend the 20-gauge wire until the ends meet. You can do this with your fingers

Step 3

Use chain nose pliers to bring the bend close together.

Step 4

Place this bent end into the round nose pliers and rotate into a loop.

Step 5

Center the loop, so that it sits at the top of the wire like a lollipop, rather than a P shape

Step 6

Use flush cutters to trim the open ends to make them equal length.

Step 7

Using the cutters, cut the very tip of the loop to separate these, into two ear wires.

Step 8

Close the loops fully with the round nose pliers.

Step 9

Add one bead to each of the base wires and straighten your wire.

Step 10

Using the 26-gauge wire make a coil by wrapping around the 20-gauge base wire around 7 or 8 times.

Step 11

Cut the tail ends of the 26-gauge wire and flatten down the ends so they are not sticking out and position it down to the bead. (This coil can be flattened down against the base wire to stop it moving using pliers.)

Step 12

With the opening of the loop facing towards you, grip with pliers just above the coil and bend base wire at around a 90 degree angle away from you. Do this on each one.

Step 13

Position the pairs together (to get them to match) and position the bail making pliers above the bend and bring the ends towards you. (You can shape with a pen or bail making pliers.)

Step 14

With the tip of the wires together, slightly bend them up with chain nose/flat nose pliers

Step 15

Using a file smooth the ends (a regular nail file can be used, if a jeweler's file isn't available).

Step 16

You should now have two ear wires to attach to your earrings by opening the loops as you would jump rings. Remember to open them towards you or away from you in a side on position, so not to distort or weaken them.

Reviews

Natalie Patten

I'm Natalie Patten, I'm from Liverpool in the UK. I first discovered my love of wire work during lockdown and this hobby quickly spiralled into a huge passion and obsession, for wire wrapping crystal gemstones. So much so, that I changed my career working in education, to become a jewellery designer and set up my business Rock, Scissors, Paper specialising in wire wrapped, ethically sourced gemstone jewellery. I also secured my dream job designing and teaching for the UK's largest supplier of beads for jewellery making! I make lots of different jewellery designs with a variety of techniques but my absolute favourite is wire work and I feel absolutely blessed that I can spend my time creating, learning and sharing my passion with others!