Comments on: How to Make Your Own Argentium Sterling Ball Pins

By: Dale

Dale — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 14:16:54 +0000

Thank you for sharing this process! I am kinda new to it all and love to see these. Beautiful work!

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:22:26 +0000

Thank you for sharing this! I want to make my own balled head pins. I’ve tried with copper, but with little luck. Any ideas out there?

By: Karla Koonce

Karla Koonce — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 18:59:42 +0000

Wow. Good stuff! Thanks for sharing all this info. I work with clay but have recently started to make earrings. What do you suggest for studs? I’ve looked for that nuibon metal (or however it’s spelled) – but couldn’t find any.

My ears are sensitive and all I could find was the clear plastic kind for the hypoallergenic person. Can’t bake plastic! lol. But I cold glue on after the fact.

Any suggestions?

Karla

By: Karin

Karin — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 15:46:15 +0000

Argentium is the only kind of sterling I use for my headpins and earwires. No pitting or firescale, what’s not to love? I tumble mine for about an hour in my Lortone tumbler with stainless steel shot and a drop of dishsoap. They turn out beautifully every time!

By: Marsha K

Marsha K — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 07:04:57 +0000

Thank you for sharing this tip! I just bought some Argentium and can’t wait to try this!

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 22:45:05 +0000

What a great article! If you are wire wrapping, wouldn’t the wire work harden and not need to be hardened in an oven? I am totally curious about that hardening process though.

By: trish

trish — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:17:04 +0000

how would you heat harden in the oven?? what temp and how long??

By: joyce albers

joyce albers — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:31:50 +0000

Great info when you need to avoid chemicals. Thanks so much!
Two questions: 1) How do you heat harden in the oven? 2) What solution do you put in the tumbler?

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:49:09 +0000

Julie, thanks for sharing this tut with us! I like the idea of making ball pins exactly the length needed for a project, so there’s no wasted wire.

And I really like seeing a project where you’ve made good use of these ball pins – the gorgeous cascading earrings!

By: Julie Lloyd

Julie Lloyd — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:34:28 +0000

Sharon, I get my wire from Rio Grande, they have a huge selection.

Lynda, the wire for these earrings was 22ga, which is what I usually use. I’ve also made 20ga and 24ga pins. Just make sure to heat them from the bottom or you will lose the bead.

Elizabeth, I use a Thumler’s Tumbler, but any will do. You can also heat harden your wires in an ordinary, clean oven if you don’t have access to a tumbler.

By: Lynda

Lynda — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:52:08 +0000

Meant to ask you the gauge of wire you most commonly use to make the ball head pins? And love, love the cascading earrings.

Thanks!

By: Elizabeth Collins

Elizabeth Collins — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:41:56 +0000

Anxious to try this. What type tumbler do you use? Thank you so much for sharing this!

By: Lynda

Lynda — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:31:32 +0000

Thank you, Julie, for the tutorial and ideas fro this metal. Had no idea of the great advantages over sterling. I just might try it.

By: Sharon Solt

Sharon Solt — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:11:18 +0000

Love this idea, where do you get the spools of wire? I am new to jewelry making