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Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design. These earrings are fabulous on their own but make them with twisted or textured wire and add drops and they get kicked up to WOW.

Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques, Design
  • Skill Level: Beginner
These earrings are fabulous on their own but make them with twisted or textured wire and add drops and they get kicked up to WOW.

Materials

16 Gauge Square Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-16SQD
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $13.14
  • Gold Club Price: $9.85
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20 Gauge Round Full Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-20FH
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $4.24
  • Gold Club Price: $3.18
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24 gauge scrap argentium sheet
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1
G2-504
  • G2-504
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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Multi Angle Cutting Jig
VIS-512.00
  • VIS-512.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $84.95
  • Gold Club Price: $63.71
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws
G2-1
  • G2-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $9.97
  • Gold Club Price: $7.48
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bow opening pliers
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
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Wubbers Parallel Round with Jaws 6 MM and 4 MM
PLR-1804
  • PLR-1804
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $54.95
  • Gold Club Price: $41.21
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Ring Bending Pliers
PLR-835.00
  • PLR-835.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.37
  • Gold Club Price: $18.28
Out of Stock
Nylon Ring Bending Pliers
PLR-841.00
  • PLR-841.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $20.97
  • Gold Club Price: $15.73
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Steel Hoop Mandrel
MAN-214.00
  • MAN-214.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $28.97
  • Gold Club Price: $21.73
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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1
G3-26
  • G3-26
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
Out of Stock
Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm
PLR-133.70
  • PLR-133.70
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
Out of Stock
Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black
TRCH-8010
  • TRCH-8010
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $40.00
  • Gold Club Price: $30.00
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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Daddy Dipper Pickle Pot, 24 Ounce Capacity
CLN-585.00
  • CLN-585.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $45.95
  • Gold Club Price: $34.46
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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR
CLN-163.00
  • CLN-163.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $17.95
  • Gold Club Price: $13.46
Out of Stock
Stainless Steel Shot - 1 lb Bag
G24-4
  • G24-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $43.95
  • Gold Club Price: $32.96
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Thumlers Tumbler Model T Rock Tumbler Kit
G34-100
  • G34-100
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $172.76
  • Gold Club Price: $129.57
Out of Stock
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Cut two 2-1/16" long pieces of 16-gauge square wire or twisted square wire for each pair of earrings. Straighten and cut two 3" long pieces of 20-gauge full hard wire for each pair of earrings.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 2
There are many ways to square up the cut ends of the wires. This is my method, but use what works best for you.

There are two different sizes of diamond shaped notches in the jig. The notches are used to secure square and round wire to file the desired angle on wire ends. Sometimes the wire will not fit securely in the notches.

In that case secure the wire flush against the flat fence that looks like a tooth on a carved Halloween pumpkin. Secure the wire in place with only the amount to be filed off protruding from the vise. File the end flush with the vise.

Turn the wire around and repeat the process, checking the wire length to obtain a 2" long piece.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 3
Use two soft jaw pliers to form each wire into an oval, matching the cut ends.

Normally, the ends should be so tight that no light is seen through them. Not this time. The ends should be no more than the thickness of a piece of paper apart.

Also, notice that the wire on either side of the seam is straight. This is important for a good solder join.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 4
If making twisted wire earrings, go to the next step. Use your fingernails or fingertips to press the end of one 20 gauge wire between the oval shape square wire seam.

There is only about 1/16" inside the oval shape. It may be easier to push into the seam if it is a bit longer. Sometimes a rubber mallet can be used to push the wire into the seam if seams are not too tight. Once the 20 gauge wires are in place, place them on a soldering surface.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 5
Place a glob (technical term) of medium paste solder beneath the seam and ear wire-about the amount on the tip of the solder pick. Lightly press the piece into the solder.

For the twisted square wire earrings, place a bit less medium paste solder than used on the plain square wire rings beneath the seam. Place more medium paste solder on top of the seam.

Press an ear wire into the solder so the wire end sits in a twisted wire groove. It does not need to be perfectly perpendicular to the oval.

Heat around the rings only so that the majority of the ear wire will remain full hard. Heat until the solder flows Allow the pieces to cool naturally.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 6
Clean solder block residue from back of square wire pieces so the bottom is flat and from the front of the twisted wire pieces.

Use a file to smooth and flatten the backs of the square wire pieces if there is a solder bump.

Clean excess solder from the front of the twisted wire pieces.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 7
Clean solder block residue from back of square wire pieces so the bottom is flat and from the front of the twisted wire pieces.

Use a file to smooth and flatten the backs of the square wire pieces if there is a solder bump.

Clean excess solder from the front of the twisted wire pieces.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 8
Trim off the 20 gauge wire tails inside the ovals. File the area smooth.

The end of the ear wire on the back of the twisted wire pieces will require a bit more work to round and smooth the cut end.
Step 9
Press the ovals down on a hoop mandrel.

If the sides of the ovals are not far enough apart to slide onto the hoop mandrel use ring opening pliers to gently open them enough to fit the mandrel.

Use a rubber, nylon, or rawhide mallet to hammer the ovals into circles without marring the wire.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 10
Flatten each piece again if needed.

If the twisted square wires need to be flattened, lace them on a rubber block and tap with a rubber, nylon, or rawhide mallet.

In lieu of a rubber block, use a thick magazine or an old paperback book.
Step 11
These little embellishments are great to have around.

Use a 1.5mm hole punch to punch small metal dots in 22 or 24 gauge metal scrap.

Place them on a bench block and lightly tap to make them flat.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 12
The front side of each earring is indented where the wire was pushed between the cut ends of the oval shapes. This is a weak point.

Place a small amount of medium paste solder on the seam/ear wire.

Lightly press a 1.5mm dot into the solder. Heat until the solder flows.

You may think that this step could have been done at the same time the ear wire was soldered in place, and you would be right-----except then the square wire would not have been easily squared up.

The little dot would be in the way of flattening and squaring up the wire in Step 7.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 13
The parts of the ear wires that were heated during soldering are now dead soft.

Grasp the end of an ear wire with flat nose pliers.

Twist the wire 5 or 6 times.

Grasp the wire about ¾" from the circle and twist one full turn.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 14
Clean up excess solder with sanding pads. Pickle, rinse, and dry the pieces.
Step 15
Determine which earring is the shortest by placing them side by side.

Make sure the end of the shortest ear wire is flush cut.

Cut the other earring/earrings the same length.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 16
One sign of quality workmanship on a jewelry piece constructed with any gauge of wire is finished or smoothed wire ends.

It only takes a few seconds and makes a big difference in the final product. Imagine putting an ear wire that has not been smoothed in your ear-ouch!

Use a cup bur to round the wire ends. Finish the ends with fine gauge sanding pads, checking the ends frequently until they are no longer sharp but smooth and rounded to the touch.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 17
Tumble the pieces for several hours to bring up a nice shine.

Step 18
Optional: Texture the front side of the square wire earrings.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 19
It is so easy to pull the jaws of round nose pliers apart too hard and break a solder join. And for me, I need to use two hands to make ovals from circles using round nose pliers and a ring can easily move out of place.

Enter ring or bow opening pliers-game changer! Extra large ones will work with even larger rings.

The dips in the jaws keep the ring from slipping during the forming process. All it takes is one hand to squeeze the pliers to open the jaws.

Squeezing the handles instead of pulling them apart makes it easier to adjust the pressure to obtain the desired shape.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 20
Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to mark each ear wire 7/8" from the square or twisted wire shape.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 21
Center the mark between the jaws of the pliers.

Use fingers to push the wires straight down on either side of the plier jaws.

The larger of the two middle steps on the 6 step barrel pliers make a perfect size curve when bending one ear wire at a time. The 6mm side of the Wubbers Parallel Round Pliers with 6mm and 4mm jaws makes it easy to bend two ear wires at the same time.

The curve will be EXACTLY in the same place on each one! There is a 6mm mark on the larger jaw of Acculoop Precision Round Nose Pliers to make it easy to form the same curve every time.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 22
There are many ways to form the slight curve on the tip of an ear wire but using a ring bending pliers makes each curve exactly like the one before it.

Slide the ear wire between the jaws of the ring bending tool as shown, with the other end of the ear wire pressing against the tool. Squeeze. Perfect curve every time!
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 23
Even though the ear wires were made with full hard wire and were twisted, longer ear wires like these should be hardened a bit more to help them retain their shape.

Use a flat faced hammer to slightly flatten the front edge of the ear wire curve. Do not hammer over the top of the curve.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Step 24
These earrings are fun to wear with no embellishments. If you want drama, GO BOLD with longer drops.

However, be careful to not add too much weight because extra weight combined with the swing of the embellishments can cause piercings to stretch.
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings
Judy Larson's Fun Shapes Fish Hook Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Design, Fun shapes wire fish hook earrings

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