Headpins
I think most of us know what headpins are for in designing jewelry.
It seems to be a source of confusion when I'm trying to sell them to the general public, however.
Hatpins? Hairpins? What are these for? How do you stick them in your head?
I even show examples of how I use them in my own work but I still get blank looks at times.
I'm going to go with the assumption that you have an idea of how to use them "to stop the beads from falling off" but I'm not sure if anyone realizes the scope of how many wonderful handmade artisan headpins are being made and sold. If you are a designer or even a bead maker it seems that a little imagination and creativity can bring a new dynamic to your designing with this versatile component.
These are my crusty rustic line of headpins which are being used in any number of ways to accent earring designs
I think I could make these all day every day to meet the recent demand but of course a person gets a little weary of making the same thing all the time so I try different things like these crustified millefiore orbs.
Throw in a little crazy color once in awhile
Crubbly paddle shaped headpins which can serve as a dominant element.
Lightweight polymer clay leaf headpins by BeadyEyedBunny on Etsy
or more traditional copper balled headpins also by BeadyEyedBunny
Here are some headpins made by Jiorji out of Utee inspired by fancifuldevices' tutorial
orange rustic flowers out of polymer clay by BeadyEyedBunny
Here is a button shaped headpin that I have in my NuminosityBeads Etsy shop
I frequently make these long "oober" lampwork headpins which make quite a statement
You can see how Nikki from LoveRoot likes to incorporate them
And how Beatnheart has artfully wired them into her design.
You can find many other example of how my headpins have been incorporated on my Pinterest board
KristiBowmanDesigns makes some beautiful copper headpins out of metal clay
Here's what I did with a pair. These earrings "First Snow" just made their debut in this issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry!
Here's where you can purchase fancifuldevices Utee headpin tutorial.
You don't need a torch!
I like how fancifuldevices has used my mismatched paddle headpins to great effect on these earrings.
Some amazing artisan lampwork headpins by LoriLochner that could stand alone
(figuratively, that is)
These are only a few examples of the array of headpins you can find on Etsy. You only have to do a search for handmade headpins and you will find so many more to lend that extra something to your designs.
I almost forgot to include some of the headpins the headpins that inspired me to write this post. These are by Ginger Davis Allman from Blue Bottle Tree who also has a tutorial for making rustic beads and components out of polymer clay.
and she was featured in Polymer Clay Daily with these rustic beauties
