Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. I have become somewhat addicted to aluminum wire lately.

Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Forging, Texturing, Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
I have become somewhat addicted to aluminum wire lately. Yes, it is soft. Yes, it mars easily. But...it is lightweight and if I want to add a heavier bead for earrings it works great and won't put excess stress on pierced ear lobes. It responds so well to hammering, really enhancing divots made by a hammer strike. Plus, it is easy to drill through, only requiring a pin vise. Perfect if you are just beginning to explore using wire and have not yet purchased a rotary tool.

Materials

14 Gauge Silver Enameled Aluminum Wire - 60ft
H14-V14-60FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 12.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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22 Gauge Round Dead Soft 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-22D
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.78
  • Gold Club Price: $0.58
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Silver Filled Jump Rings Open (.025) 22ga (OD) 4mm (ID) 2.55mm - Pack of 25
S11-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.89
  • Gold Club Price: $1.42
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Tools

Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.95
  • Gold Club Price: $8.21
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Classic Wubbers Bent Nose Pliers
G2-1239
  • G2-1239
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $27.95
  • Gold Club Price: $20.96
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Swivel-Headed Pin Vise
PIN-220.00
  • PIN-220.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
  • G10-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000
ABR-500.90
  • ABR-500.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Diamond Coated 3/32 Drill Bits - Set of 6
G26-55
  • G26-55
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $38.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Cut two lengths of aluminum wire 6" long using the wire cutters from the Ultimate Wire Pliers Set. Position the center of one wire at the bottom of the flat nose pliers, and bend in half. Repeat with second wire.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the wire in half
Step 2
Measure and mark ½" on one side of each wire, this will be an approximate starting point for bending.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, measure and mark the wire
Step 3
Following the template and using the round nose pliers, bend the wire. Keep in mind that it is not necessary that you match the template exactly. This is a suggested pattern, I encourage you to give this one a try, then sketch out one that is uniquely yours.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the wire to the template
Step 4
Using the cushion clamp, clamp the wires together at the bottom. Bend the second wire using matching the first one as closely as possible.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, clamp the wires together
Step 5
Hold the wires using the flat nose pliers and adjust the wires as necessary using the round nose pliers. Trim the wires to so they are even at the top.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adjust and trim the wires
Step 6
Lay one wire at a time on the steel bench block and hammer using the round end of the chasing hammer, adding dimension to the wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, hammer the earrings
Step 7
Lay one wire at a time on the steel bench block and hammer the ends into a paddle shape, approximately 3/8" of an inch off the end.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, hammer the ends into a paddle shape
Step 8
Rest the paddled ends on the bench pin and gently round the edges using the flat file. Be careful when filing, aluminum is soft and you could quickly remove more material than intended!

Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, file the ends smooth
Step 9
Secure the drill bit in the pin vise and drill one hole in the center of each paddle.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, drill a hole
Step 10
Install the jump rings in the drilled holes. Bring the wires together and wrap with the 22 gauge silver filled wire. Tuck the ends using the Classic Wubbers bent nose pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the wires
Step 11
Assemble and attach the ear wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Jigsaw Puzzle Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, attach ear wires