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 Step
1: We will begin this jewelry making project by making the
"V" shaped wire component that forms the bottom of the body of the
earrings. This component is made using five regular metal pegs and
any of our WigJig tools. We have prepared a template for making
these earrings in Adobe .pdf file format.
Please select here to view
and print that template. The template shows the pattern
for the WigJig Centaur. The same template will work for the WigJig
Delphi. For any of our other jigs, you will need to adapt the
pattern to your jig by placing your jig on the pattern and finding a peg
placement that will closely approximate this pattern.
Step 2: To
start making the "V" shaped wire component,
cut a segment of 18 gauge practice wire 4" long. Half
hard wire will work best for your finished piece and you will probably
find that 3 3/4" of wire will be adequate, but start with 4" of practice
wire and be prepared to measure how much excess wire you have when you are
done.
Step 3: Using your
fine step
jaw pliers if you have them, or your round nose pliers if you don't have
the step jaw pliers,
make a loop
in the end of the wire with the flush cut.
Step 4:
Hold the wire by that loop and
straighten the wire
by repeatedly pulling it through the jaws of your
nylon jaw pliers.
Step 5: See the
peg pattern at right. Pegs 1 -5 are used to make the "V" shaped wire
component. Pegs 1 and 6, 7 and 8, and 9 and 10 are used to make spacer bars and
will be discussed in a later step. Start by placing just pegs 1 and 2 in
your jig.
Step 6: Place the initial loop in your wire on peg
1 and position the wire adjacent to peg 2 as shown at left. Then
push the wire around peg 2 so that with no pressure applied the wire rests
adjacent to the empty hole for peg 3. Push with the tip of your
index finger on your dominant hand. Don't pull the wire. Many
people find it easier to keep the wire stationary and move the jig with
their non-dominant hand. Please see our
WigJig Basics Video.
These instructions continue on the next page.
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