Working with Wire and Beads Chapter 1
Head pins are available in a wide variety of styles
and lengths. They can be found in flat, rounded,
balled, paddle, and fancy with a wide assortment of
shapes and designs on the ends. You can also find
head pins with gemstones and crystals on the
ends. Head pins come in many materials: sterling
silver, base metal, nickel, 14kt gold, gold-filled,
vermeil, and more. Sizes range from H” to 4”.The more you practice this technique, the easier it
will become to keep the loop round in shape. As
an alternative to using a ruler to measure the spot
to cut off the head pin at^5 ⁄ 16 ” above the beads, you
can designate a bead that is^5 ⁄ 16 ” long or a piece of
hollow tube cut to^5 ⁄ 16 ” long as your measuring rod.
Then simply slide the bead or tube onto the top of
the head pin and cut the wire directly above it.
This will create a uniform length on all of these
that you do.
I use base metal head pins
for strength on projects that
use a loop closure at the top.
Base metal is stronger than
sterling silver, and you will not need
to worry about the loop coming open.
I do use sterling silver for the ear wires;
some people are sensitive to base metal
because of the nickel content when it
comes in direct contact with their skin.What advice would you offer a
beginning artist?Find an art form that excites you and then
find someone competent in that art form
to get you started and guide you.—J. D. Nolan
Traditional Black and White Photography