earring castings
I make jewelry as a hobby and for gifts. I would like to make some
earrings for my mother, but she does not have pierced ears. Can anyone tell me where I can find clip on castings or conversion kits? |
On Sun, 23 May 2004 11:20:31 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry
wrote: I make jewelry as a hobby and for gifts. I would like to make some earrings for my mother, but she does not have pierced ears. Can anyone tell me where I can find clip on castings or conversion kits? clips, like earposts, and not generally cast parts, but stamped (for strength, spring tension, etc.) You can get a number of different styles, including various types of clips with a jump ring from which dangles can be attached, or several types of clip findings intended to be soldered onto an earring. these can be intended for hard soldering (gold or silver) or styles with a wide cupped pad suited to using tin based solders like Tix or other low melting types for things that cannot take the heat of proper jewelry grade soldering. You can even find these with glue pads for simple gluing, for really inexpensive costume jewelry applications. Clips can also be found in several types of the clip part itself, including the common (fairly cheap) paddle shape, or the wire loop omega style clips, as well as rather costly, often european made clips based loosely on the omega look, but much more substantial. Depending on what you're buying, and what metal, ranging from plated nickle or stainless steel, on up to high karat gold or platinum, prices can range from a few cents per pair to a hundred bucks per pair or more, for just the clip findings. Almost any decent jewelry tools and findings supplier can get these, though the more exclusive/costly styles are a little rarer. If you're in a decent sized larger city, you can check the yellow pages for jewelry tools and supplies, or lapidary shops or rock shops. these latter will often have the cheap styles of findings in stock. Some larger suppliers include Frei and Borel in Oakland CA, Rio Grande, and many others. Some of the biggest houses are wholesale only, but both of these two will sell to you. Both have web sites, but neither lists findings on the web. Just call then up and ask for catalogs. (you can request the Rio catalogs on the web). There may be a charge for catalogs, but trust me, it's well worth the modest cost. Peter |
lmost any decent jewelry tools and findings supplier can get these
In addition to Peters suggestions and depending on what exactly it is your looking for a local crafts store may have some. I know I have seen similiar in our local Michaels craft store. Convienent, especially if you only need a few though probably a little higher than mail ordering. Mike in Arkansas |
I have TONS of clip back findings......flat ones, ball top, etc.
Give me your address (do not post it here, just reply to me) and I'll send you some. What I have found: Those converter 'kits' or findings don't work. When bending the posts, they tend to not lay flat.....they are a distance from the ear lobe. Depends on the earring. If it is post....I just clip off the post and E6000 to a clip finding. I have done this with 14K gold and, after curing, the glue is VERY durable and long lasting. I have some that are more than 6 years old. Sometimes, I can just 'hook' it onto a finding .....if the finding has a 'loop' to hook. Everything depends on the earring itself. If I'm making them, I adapt the design to the finding. |
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