How to Make Hammered Wire Earrings

These earrings are so much fun to make and wear!  The only material you need is wire!  I used 18 gauge copper, but you could use any metal you like.This tutorial will get you started with some very basic hammering.  If you haven't done it before, this is a great tutorial to start with.  I also have a great tip for making your loops all the same!Here we go!Materials and Tools:

• 18 gauge copper wire
• 20 gauge copper wire
• Wire Cutters
• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Hammer and metal block to hammer on (not pictured)
• Nylon covered pliers (optional)

Step #1Cut six pieces of the 18 gauge copper wire:

• 2 pieces of 3 1/2"
• 2 pieces of 2 1/2"
• 2 pieces of 1 1/2"

Note:  You can definitely customize these earrings to your own taste and liking.  If you prefer longer, cut longer wire; if you prefer shorter, cut shorter wire.  You can also use different metal if you like.HINT:  Trim each side so they are flush cut.  Use the flat side of the wire cutters to get the flush cut.Step #2Use nylon pliers to straighten the wire.  It's probably actually easier to do this as you're cutting the wire because you have more to hang on to.You can also often accomplish this by just using your hands in the same way.Step #3HINT:  When you're making loops in wire, it's a great idea to mark on your round nose pliers where you will be wrapping.  This is helpful when when making individual loops, so you can stay on track and also so you can make uniform loops.You'll see my pliers have two different spots marked.  I'll be using the mark close the the end to make smaller loops.Grasp on of the wires at the end of the round nose pliers.  Line it up the the mark you made.  The end should be at the top, but not poking out.  (You can run your finger over it to check.)Step #4Roll your wrist and the pliers away from you as far as you can.  Readjust the pliers and roll away again until the loop is complete.Step #5You will end up with a "P."  Then use your round nose or chain nose pliers (whatever works for you) and make a bend in the wire, so that the loop is centered at the top of the wire.Repeat this process for each of the wires you cut.Step #6My favorite part!!  Place each wire on a metal block or anvil and hammer it.  For this, you can really use any hammer you have or want.  Hammer until you're happy with the the results.Step #7Cut 2 pieces of 18 gauge wire to about 3" long each.  Flush cut them.Step #8Bend each wire about in half.  You can bend them around a marker or other round surface.Step #9Follow step #3 - #5 and create a loop on one end of each wire.  However, you'll probably need to make the loop a little larger than the loops you made previously.Step #10Bend the other end up a little at the other end.Step #11Gently hammer the earring wires to help it keep it's shape.  (I used a nylon hammer for this because it makes the wire stronger, but doesn't leave marks.)Step #12Gently file the end of the earring wire (the part that will go into your ear.)Step #13Open the loop of the earring wire.Step #14Add each of the hammered wires to the earring wire, one at a time.  Each earring wire gets one of each size, starting with the largest to the smallest.Enjoy your new earrings!!Ways you can customize these earrings:

• Use a different metal, like silver, or even mix the metals!
• Use different sizes, make your earrings longer or shorter.
• Use all the same size of wires.

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