Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap. .
Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Findings, Making Spirals
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Materials

18 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-18D
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.50 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $4.26
  • Gold Club Price: $3.19
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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Plier
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Plier
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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Premium Nylon Jaw Pliers
G2-35
  • G2-35
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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8 Piece Mandrel Set - From 1/16 Inch to 5/16 Inch
G7-38
  • G7-38
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
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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: $28.95
  • Gold Club Price: $21.71
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer with Wood Handle - Economy
G3-14
  • G3-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.57
  • Gold Club Price: $8.68
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Instructions
Step 1
For small items you make repeatedly, you can save yourself a lot of time if you keep a wire template for each item on hand.
For example, you will make ear wires quite often. Keep a wire the length you first cut it, with only one flush cut end. Also cut a finished wire with both ends flush cut. Put them in a small labeled pill bottle or in a small plastic bag along with a note with pertinent information.
The following hook may be a component you might make often. You may find it helpful to have the hook in several stages of construction and in different wire gauges available to you for comparison when making a new hook.

You may want a wire length, Step 1, a scrolled piece, Step 3, a bent over piece, Step 5, and an finished hook to use as step templates. Another option is to make one of each step, and then photocopy those pieces together so you can use your copy as a template.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Sample template parts
Step 2
Straighten and cut a 4 1/2" piece of 18 gauge round wire.
Step 3
On one end of the wire, make a slightly more than full circle with the tip of a round nose pliers. Hint: You may find it easier to use chain nose pliers to start the center of the spiral.
Pro Tip: Hint: You may find it easier to use chain nose pliers to start the center of the spiral.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using round nose pliers to start spiral
Step 4
Using soft jaw pliers, tightly scroll the wire until the scroll is 2" from the end of the wire.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using Nylon jaw pliers on spiral
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using ruler to measure
Step 5
Place the tips of the round nose pliers as close to the scroll as possible, as shown. Bend the wire over the pliers tips and up the side of the scroll.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using round nose pliers
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using round nose pliers
Step 6
Switch back to the soft jaw pliers and finish bending the wire up over the top of the scroll as shown, left.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using Nylon jaw pliers
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Silver wire swan hook
Step 7
Bend the wire tail around the 3/8" mandrel as shown, right
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using mandrel to form
Step 8
Use the tip of round or chain nose pliers and make half a curl. Use flat nose pliers to press the curl flat down to the wire.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using round nose pliers
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Silver wire swan hook
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Using flat nose pliers to close loop
Step 9
Lightly hammer the top curve of the hook and the lower "V" to work harden the component.
Congratulations! You've made your first Swan Hook component.
Judy Larson's Wire Jewelry Component and Swan Hook - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Use chasing hammer to work harden piece