How to Make a Paddle Head Pin

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By geltdesigns
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Paddle Head Pin with Pearl Doublet © GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved.

Paddle head pins add an distinctive element to your beaded jewelry. Use them to make dangles for earrings, to make pendants or to make drops for beaded necklaces. Making your own paddle head pins will add value to your jewelry, give you more flexibility in choosing the metal you can use in your design and will save you both time and money. This tutorial will show you how to make a paddle head pin for your beaded jewelry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

wire
wire cutters
ball pein hammer
steel block

Step 1

The tools.

Gather your wire and tools.
Step 2

Straighten

Straighten the wire as needed using nylon pliers or your fingers.
Step 3

Cut.

Clean your wire. Be sure to remove all tarnish. Cut the wire to the length you need for your design. Note that most commercial paddle head pins are about 2 inches in length.
Step 4

Hammer.

File both ends smooth with a needle file or cup burr and then hammer one end of your wire with the flat side of a ball pein hammer to flatten the wire.
Step 5

Feed the bead onto the wire to test the paddle. Adjust as needed.

Tips & Warnings

You can add decorative texture to the paddle by hammering the paddle with the ball side of a ball pein hammer, if desired.
Any size gauge or type of metal can be used when making paddle pins. Match the wire with the beads you are using.
Most commercial paddle pins are made with 21 to 25 gauge wire or wire that has a thickness of .014 to .028 inches thick.
Most commercial paddle pins are made to have a length of from 1/2 to 4 inches.
Be sure to wear eye goggles when cutting wire.
Be sure to file wire ends thoroughly. Sharp edges are not comfortable or safe to wear.