How to Use Head Pins in Jewelry Making

A head pin is a long or short wire with a cap at one end. Jewelry makers use the head pins to stop beads, stones or crystals from falling off at the end of the wire. These pins come in a vary of sizes and metals sterling silver, gold, brass or metal. Head pins are used to make a variety of jewelry pieces like earrings, bracelets or necklaces. They come in various lengths and usually expressed in inches. Read on to learn how to use head pins in jewelry making.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Head pins
• Beads of your choice
• Wire cutter
• Round nose pliers

1. Gather your materials together.

2. Thread some beads onto the pin. Some beads may need their holes widened to fit onto the pin.

3. Use the wire cutter and cut off excess head pin. Leaving the material about 1/2 inch left of the pin.

4. Use the tip of your round nose pliers bend the top head pin material about 90 degrees.

5. Use the thicker part of your round nosed pliers to grasp the end pin near the top bead and roll the head pin into a loop. You may have to finish the loop using the fine tip of the pliers.

6. Attach the formed loop to the jump ring, earring loop or post.

7. For the second earring, repeat steps one through seven.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a pin long enough to allow for the stack of beads and a little longer for the loop.
• After making one pair of earrings, you can make other pairs the same way with different colors of beads.

Resources

• Ideas for Making Jewelry