On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:29:09 -0800, Cognition Studios
wrote:

Hi

I am wondering if anyone can help me.

I would love to know to make earwires by hand. I recently purchased a
wigjig Delphi and it's fabulous! I am creating wires in exactly the
shape I require. However, it has taken much experimentation (and
money!) with wire gauges and different types (half hard/dead soft) to
achieve the style I have been after. I am very excited about it except
I cannot figure out how to hammer the wire without marking it! Help!

Does this just come with practice? I have a chasing hammer, a small
planishing block and a nylon hammer. I have been using 18-20 gauge
gold filled wire but it marks terribly when I try to hammer the end
and the curve that goes through the ear. Little nicks which I assume
is the edge of the hammer denting it. If I use the nylon hammer, it
doesn't flatten the wire and thats the look I would like. I have read
that it is still hardening it however.

I also am not sure what type of wire to use. Obviously, the dead soft
wire shapes like a dream but the half hard wire doesn't haold the
earwire shape so well. Should I exagerate the bend when using half
hard or should I be using dead soft and hammering? If I do not hammer
dead soft wire, is it a little unreliable in holding its shape for
earwires?

Any help and advice woul dbe gratefully recieved!!

Thanks!!! :-)

I use half-hard without any problems, but I don't want the flat look.
For one thing, that's the sure sign of cheap earwires -- less metal.
Flattening half-hard is going to take a lot of hammering and probably
an anvil intead of a planishing block.

What you haven't mentioned is taking the rough edge off the end that
goes through the ear and I use a sort of mini version of a Dremel for
that.

However, I don't make earwires unless I want something very specific
because when I count the value of my time, it's a lot cheaper just to
buy them.
--
Marilee J. Layman
http://mjlayman.livejournal.com