Page 2 of 2        Spiral Ear Wire Jewelry Making Technique

Step 2:  Straighten the two wire segments.  If you are using silver, polish the silver before you move to step 3.

Step 3:  Using the WigJig Spiral Maker and one of our WigJig tools, make a spiral with the 4 inches of wire.  Continue wrapping the wire until all of the wire has been used.  When completed the spiral will appear as shown at right.  The technique for using the WigJig Spiral Maker is described here.  Please note that there is a segment of straight wire at the end that could not be wrapped into the spiral and that this segment is about 1/2 inch long.

Step 4:  Using your round nose pliers, grasp the end of the 1/2 inch segment of straight wire and make a loop by twisting the pliers back toward the spiral.  When completed the piece should appear as shown here. 

Step 5:  The center post of the spiral is about 3/4" long.  Cut this post down to about 1/2 inch long using your flush cutters. 

Step 6:  If you have a nylon hammer or rawhide mallet and a jeweler's anvil, place the center post from the spiral in the hole in the anvil and harden the ear wire by lightly hammering the spiral with your hammer. 

Step 7:  To finish this ear wire you need to round the cut end of wire in the center post.  This is done with the Cup Bur tool as shown here. 

Step 8:  To turn this ear wire into a pair of earrings add bead dangles using a combination of beads and a head-pin.  The technique for making a bead dangle is discussed here.