Yup, I’ve been having fun again, smacking things around on a Mini Anvil with a Craft Hammer.
Doncha just love the sparkly look of flattened, hammered wire?
The first time you try it you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to do.
Happy creating!
Materials:
- two ear wires
- two head pins
- two crystal beads
- two 7-inch pieces 22-gauge craft wire
- chain nose pliers
- round nose pliers
- wire cutters
- bench block or jeweler’s anvil
- hammer
Instructions:
- To make bead dangle, slide a crystal bead onto a head pin. Grasp wire with chain nose pliers where it exits bead; bend wire into 90-degree angle. Grasp angle with round nose pliers and start to form a loop. Reposition round nose pliers and complete loop. Use wire cutters to cut off excess wire where wires cross. Repeat to make second bead dangle.
- Use round nose pliers to start a small loop in one piece of the wire. Continue coiling wire around loop to make a spiral. Stop when 1 ½ -inches of wire remain uncoiled.
- Use round nose pliers to make a small loop with remaining end of the wire, facing loop in opposite direction so you have an “S” shape.
- Use flat part of hammer to gently pound spiral on bench block or anvil until wire is flattened. If desired, pound on both sides with rounded part of hammer to give texture. Repeat with other 7-inch piece of wire.
- Attach a bead dangle to outer loop of each larger spiral. Attach ear wires to outer loop of each smaller spiral.
