Make Your Ear Wires Match
by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
Some of you are likely more adept at making ear wires than I am, but just in case, here's a tip to help ensure that your handmade ear wires match. Make two at a time with the wires side by side.
Instructions
Some of my customers are quite petite and need an ear wire that is smaller. For these, I alter the length from the initial loop to the curve that goes through the ear hole. This can cause difficulty when trying to get the ear wires to match.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
For most ear wires, I cut two pieces of half-hard 20g wire about 3" long and create the initial loop at the end of each piece. I do both loops at the same time with the wires side by side on a bail making tool.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
Then, with the wires side by side, I use a larger bail making tool to create the bends that go through the ear lobes.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
Finally, with the wires still side by side, I cut the ends to the length desired and give them a slight bend.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires
I gently hammer the ear wires with a mallet, patina if desired and then tumble them for a couple of hours to work harden them.

Additionally, when making more than one pair at a time, I hook each ear wire to its mate before it goes in the tumble. Otherwise, I end up hunting the pairs. Even if you don't tumble your ear wires, I recommend attaching each ear wire to its mate for ease in finding it later.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Make Your Ear Wires Match - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make matching ear wires

Materials

20 Gauge Half Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $1.42
  • Gold Club Price: $1.06
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Tools

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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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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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2
G17-9
  • G17-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
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4oz Ball Peen Hammer with Wooden Handle
G3-36
  • G3-36
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.25
  • Gold Club Price: $3.94
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  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Findings, Making Loops