Copper Wire

Earrings

Level

3Aiden Church

Buying Wire• I bought 20 inches of copper, thinking that

I would make 6 rings total with 4”, 3”, and 2”. What I discovered is that it looks better if there are only two rings used rather than three (a 2” and 3”), and that they only use about 10 inches of wire.

• The silver for the ear wires should be round wire, as big a gauge as you want that can still fit in your ear. I used 18 gage silver. You will need about 2 ½” for each ear.

Begin with the Loops

• Make two 3” wire jump rings, and two 2” wire jump rings, using the smallest amount of solder possible because the silver solder will show up on the copper.

• When you are done soldering, round out the rings on the largest mandrel

Texturing the Rings

• To get the right texturing on the copper rings, you will need a metal block and a hammer.

• First, flatten out the rings• Next, use a smaller

hammer to make indentations on the front side of the rings so that the texturing is showing when they are being worn.

Making the Earring Hook

• Use silver, round wire. The largest gauge that can fit into your ear. I used 18 gauge.

• Be sure to file the end of both sides so that it is rounded off and won’t stab your ear.

• Bend the wire to match the picture.

Hooping the Earrings

• First, bend the silver wire around in a loop on the bottom where the copper will hang. Do not pickle or you will lose the shine of the silver and will have to buff a very small piece of metal for no reason.

• Before you hang the rings, buff the copper with a sunshine cloth. Using the big buffer will take out the markings from the hammer.

• Then, slide on the 2 inch ring, then the 3 inch ring behind it.

• Clamp down on the silver loop so that it is tight, almost completely touching the back of the earring hook.

Finished!