Monday, March 25, 2013

Boot Camp: How to Texturize Earring Wires!

So how is it going with Texture Boot Camp? Are you learning a lot?

I was so happy when LMAJ decided to focus on texturing metal this month. I LOVE texture. My work is very texture heavy, and I am always looking for ways to texture as much metal on my jewelry as I can!

One area that sometimes gets ignored in the texture department in handmade jewelry is the ear wire. It is pretty easy to texture ear wires, you just have to be mindful about not tapping the metal wire too hard so you don't cause the wire to walk and lose your straight ear wire before you bend it into what you will be using.

One of my favorite tools on my bench is a roll of tape. I use strips of tape all of the time to hold metal down when I texture ear wires or stamp metal. Here's what I mean...



I usually texture about half-way up the wire....



I use the chisel end of my riveting hammer or a chisel-like tool in my chasing tool collection!

I just take the tape off about halfway, just enough to grab the wire and put another one in its place so that they will match! Pretty easy, and it adds just one more special touch your handmade earrings. You won't be able to really see the texture unless you oxidize the metal...which is why I oxidize all of my work! 


If you texture your ear wires, please leave a comment and tell us what tools you like to use to do it..or if you have any great ideas to add to the conversation!  Happy Texturing!



11 comments:

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Using tape is a brilliant idea (and better for fingers that may get smashed in the process)-thanks for the tutorial!

I like using my small ball peen hammer to texture ear wires. I really like the texture you achieved with the chisel hammer!

Mary Harding said...

Great tip for how to texture so that they come out the same. I too use a ball peen hammer to texture earwires but I see a new option in what you have done. It looks great!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Stacie! Wish I'd read your post before I tried this last week. Hitting the wire a bit to hard with a chisel actually cut the wire! Need to learn when to use a lighter touch.

Lynda

stacilouise said...

love it- I am making a chain today and textured some of it like that

Barbara said...

OMG! Stacie....you just blew my flipping mind!!!! Great idea!

Artisan Beads Plus said...

Fabulous! I am going to have to try to add that to my bland ear wires..... I'm with Barbara.... Great idea!!!!!

Linda said...

I'd never thought to texturize earwires. Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

Sharyl said...

These look fantastic!!! I want to try this! ...It never seriously occurred to me to texture the wire either, until just this morning, when I was doing a careful rereading of Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson's book, "Handcrafted Wire Findings." (I learn something new every time I go back to that book!) I don't think it's in the earring section, but there is a suggestion about texturing wire with metal stamps. I've bought a bunch of those and turn out not to be a great metal stamper. I'm thinking I might give them a try on wire!

Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio said...

Tape! Genius!!! It's the little things isn't it? Thanks for sharing that tip :)

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

This is awesome Stacie - the tip about the tape...ahhh....I am bowing to you right now for that one!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great tutorials! The texturing really makes a big difference in the look of the earwire.

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