How to Bend Headpins

A few turns of the pliers and you'll have a bend in your headpin.

Headpins are a fantastic invention. These simple wires can connect a strand of beads to a necklace, bracelet or earring. They can extend an earring to make a classy pair of chandelier earrings, or you can make a simple pair of dangle earrings with them. In order to create beautiful jewelry, though, you need to understand the basics of jewelry design. Bending a headpin is something every beginning jewelry artist should learn as it is a cornerstone to beading and wire-wrap jewelry designs.

Things You'll Need

• Headpin
• Chain nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Grasp the headpin with the pliers at the location where you would like the bend. Be sure your pliers are horizontal and not vertical.

2. Push the wire at a 90 degree angle with a finger from your free hand. Then you've made a simple 90 degree bend.

3. Add beads to the headpin before bending, make your bend, turn your pliers so they're vertical and push the wire, rounding the wire into a loop. Remove the pliers from the loop and grasp the loop with them. Using a pair of flat nose pliers, grasp the end of the wire and wrap it around the "neck" of the loop you just made. Cut at the end and tuck the end into the wrap.

Tips & Warnings

• Be cautious when cutting wire as pieces can fly into the air and may cause eye injury.

References

• Jewelry Making Tips, DIY Jewelry; 7 Steps Teach You How to Use Head Pins