DIY Network

Sterling Silver Hammered Earrings From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-105

This technique allows you to create designs in almost any shape imaginable!

Guest John Ahr joins host Jackie Guerra to create textured silver earrings.

Materials:

16 gauge round sterling silver wire
Cross peen hammer
Bench block (or small anvil)
Chasing hammer
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
French earwire

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Figure A

1. Make a drawing of your design, then cut 7" pieces of 16-gauge sterling wire.

   
   

2. Begin shaping the wire using round nose pliers to match your drawn design.

   
   

3. After shaping the earring, snip excess wire from the design. If necessary, file any rough edges.

   
   

4. Place the earring on bench block (a block of steel) and hammer with cross peen hammer to flatten (figure A) and add texture.

   
   

5. Attach French earwire to earring.

Creating a French Earwire

Materials:

20-gauge round sterling silver wire
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Wire cutters
File
Riveting hammer
Bench block (or small Anvil)

1. Use pliers to grab your wire about 3/4" from the end and loop.

   
   

2. Reposition pliers to grab the wire loop at the point were the wire makes contact with itself.

   
   

3. Pull the long end of the wire up to form what looks like a capital "L".

   
   

4. Open the loop slightly and thread your design element onto the wire.

   
   

5. Pinch the loop shut with your pliers and hold the loop above your design element and below the point where the wire makes contact with itself.

   
   

6. While pinching the loop as described in step 5, wrap the shorter end of the wire around the longer end three times. Remove any excess wire with your clippers. (If the end of the wire is sharp you may need to file it a bit.)

   
   

7. Pinch the top of the noose that your design element now hangs from and pull the long end of the wire straight down.

   
   

8. Reposition pliers to grab the curve you made in step 7, then gently pull the long end of the wire up and over the noose.

   
   

9. Adjust shape of earwire with your fingers and clip it to the desired length.

   
   

10. File the end of the earwire to make it smooth to the touch.

    
    

11. Finish your earwire by forging the curve of the earwire. Simply place the curve of the wire on the bench block and lightly strike with the flat face of the riveting hammer.

GUESTS :

John Ahr
Jewelry Artist
E-mail: ahrtontheedge@mac.com