Designed by Mary Bailey ©2010

First, I began playing around with a cotter pin shape; I looked at it and decided I could add a "hanger," so I made and attached a "horseshoe link" and came up with what I call a "stirrup." You can really get creative with this design. Use as few or as may headpin charms as you like, use your favorite bead combinations, make the links longer or shorter, add chain, whatever!

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced Beginner

Technique: Involved Components

Materials

• 18-gauge round dead soft jewelry wire: two 3" lengths and two 2" lengths
• 1 pair Ear Wires
• 2" Headpins, 20- or 21-gauge, two, four, six, or more in number (artist's choice as to how many headpin charms you wish to dangle from your earring; sample uses six headpins, three on each earring)
• Beads: artist's choice based on the above decision (sample uses beads from the Sterling Silver Bali Style Bead Assortment and other beads from wirejewelry.com)

Tools

• Flat Nose Pliers
• Chain Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Chasing Hammer
• Bench Block
• Ruler
• Shaping tool ½" in diameter (examples: dowel, top of bottle, pen, etc)

Instructions

1. Using 18-gauge round dead soft wire, straighten, measure and cut two 3" and two 2" pieces. Working with both 3" wires as though they were one (or, individually) bend a matching U shape into their centers.
   
   
2. Mark each of the 2" wires at their center and use round nose pliers (about 3/16" diameter) to make a U in each center. Continue using round nose pliers to make a keyhole or cotter pin shape. Trim all legs so they are the same length.
   
   
   
3. At the end of each cotter pin leg, use round nose pliers to make a loop, heading away from the center. Use a chasing hammer on a bench block to flatten and harden both entire cotter pin shapes, on both sides.
   Note: As you hammer/flatten the wire, the cotter pin shape will spread. Use round nose pliers to reclose the loops.
   
   
4. Working next with the 3" U shapes, use the chasing hammer and bench block to harden/flatten just the center of each U. Use the headpins and your chosen bead selection to create 2, 4, 6 (or more!) headpin charms with fully wrapped loops.
   
   
5. Laying the U below the cotter pin, make any necessary adjustments to the width of the U. Thread on the headpin charms. If the U is too long for your wishes, trim each leg 1/4" to 3/8".
   
   
   
6. Make a loop at end of each leg, up and away from the U. Open each loop like a jump ring. Insert each through a loop of the cotter pin and close firmly. Add your favorite ear wires.