Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill. These earrings will turn out different every time since the bronze wire has a mind of its own!  I am using 8-gauge copper and 18-gauge bright bronze, but you can mix it up by using an enameled wire to add a splash of color.
Twister Earrings
by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Coiling, Forging, Hole Punching, Riveting, Drilling
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
These earrings will turn out different every time since the bronze wire has a mind of its own! I am using 8-gauge copper and 18-gauge bright bronze, but you can mix it up by using an enameled wire to add a splash of color.

Materials

8 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-8D
  • Lesson Quantity: 5.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.61
  • Gold Club Price: $1.96
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18 Gauge Round Bronze Enameled Craft Wire - 21 ft
H5-I18-21FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 18.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.80
  • Gold Club Price: $4.35
Out of Stock
Sterling Silver Earwires 21mm w/ 1.5mm Bead - Pack of 2
K19-50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.17
  • Gold Club Price: $1.63
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1/16” x 5/16” brass round head rivets
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 3.00 each
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Tools

Ultimate wire-pliers Set
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $99.95
  • Gold Club Price: $74.96
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Jewelers Saw with Adjustable Frame without Blade
G18-3
  • G18-3
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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2/0 Relentless Sawblade - Sold by the Dozen
SAW-400.05D
  • SAW-400.05D
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
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Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
  • G10-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.98
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V-Slot Bench Pin
BPN-105.10
  • BPN-105.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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Swivel Head Pin Vise
G5-1
  • G5-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
  • PUN-430.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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1 1/2 Inch Mini Fixed Table Vise
G10-20
  • G10-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.27
  • Gold Club Price: $6.95
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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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3/32” nail set
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Diamond Coated 3/32 Drill Bits - Set of 6
G26-55
  • G26-55
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $38.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.23
Out of Stock
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Instructions
Step 1
Clean the copper wire using the 400 grit sandpaper, cut the wire in half using the jewelers saw or tubing cutter.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, cut the wire
Step 2
Rest the wire on the bench pin and using the metal file, file the ends of the wire flat.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, file the ends
Step 3
Measure and mark 1" off one end of each wire, mark ½" off the opposite end.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, mark the wire
Step 4
Clamp one end of the wire using the quick clamp. Lay the wire on the steel bench block and flatten 1" of one end of each wire using the chasing hammer. Flip and hammer as necessary to make the paddles even.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, hammer into a paddle
Step 5
Flatten the opposite end as in step 3. Rest the wire on the bench pin and use the flat needle file to round off the paddled ends.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, file smooth
Step 6
Measure 1/8" off both ends of the ½" paddled ends.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, measure the ends
Step 7
Measure ¼" off both ends of the 1" flattened wire. Measure again ½" on one wire only.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, mark the wires
Step 8
Using the centering punch, make a divot at each mark.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, divot
Step 9
Using the pin vise fitted with the #55 drill bit, drill all holes while resting the wire on the bench pin.

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Step 10
Secure the nail set in the bench vise. Install one rivet through on of the lower holes, trim the shank to 1/16" and set using the round side of the chasing hammer.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, rivet
Step 11
Working off the spool, use the bench block and chasing hammer to flatten approximately 3/8" off the end of the bronze wire.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, flat
Step 12
Make a 8 mm loop in the flattened section of the bronze wire.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, make a loop
Step 13
Wrap the loop around the copper wire and hold with the flat nose pliers.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, wrap the loop
Step 14
Randomly wrap the bronze wire around the copper wire, making loops as desired.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, wrap the wire
Step 15
Trim the wire and flatten the end as in step 10. Use the flat nose pliers to secure the ends.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, trim and flatten
Step 16
Attach the ear wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twister Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Drilling, Drill, twister earrings