About The Work Room

The Work Room is the Creative Journal of Wendy Sue where she shares her creative journey in all things handmade. The Work Room also offers an alternative to your typical jewelry making workshops. Scroll down to the end of the page to see how you can learn to make your unique piece of artisan jewelry online.

Saturday 4 April 2009

The eye

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Work Room chat:
This is kinda random. Do you remember those adjustable knotted necklace? I was searching through the internet and bump into this site which teaches you how to tie the knot. Well, it's not a jewellery making site but a mountain climbing site. Nevertheless, it gives a very clear instruction on how to tie the adjustable knot.
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If you remembered, I've mentioned before how I didn't like to end my pieces with jump rings for which the lobster clasp is to hook to.



Also, how I think end tags only look better with bolt ring clasp.



Which is how I ended with 'The Eye' to go with the lobster clasp ever since I started using those European Craft Wires.



Anyway, here's how you can do it.

You can use either the 0.6mm wires or 0.8mm wires. I've tried both and find that both work out fine but because 0.8mm is thicker, you get a sturdier 'eye' but it might also be a bit harder to work with compared to the 0.6mm ones.

If you want a stronger 'eye', use the 0.8mm wires. Otherwise, 0.6mm works just as fine.

The tutorial here uses the 0.6mm wires.

Cut out approximately 2 inches long of wire.



With the round nose plier, grip about 1/2 an inch from one end of the wire.



Turn the wire until both end crosses.



Like this.



Next, grip your pliers such that it is parallel to one of the wires.



And bend the other in opposite direction.



Do the same also for the other end.



And this is what you'll get.



You'll notice that one end is longer than the other. No worries, that's how it's supposed to be.

What you will be doing next is to grip the longer end of the wire with the chain nose plier.



Make a 90 degrees bend.



With the round nose plier, grip onto the bent wire. Now, depending on how big or small you want the loop of your eye to be, grip accordingly.



Turn the wire around the nose of the plier to form the loop of the eye.



Stop when the longer wire is perpendicular to the shorter wire.



You’ll notice by now that the shorter wire is some what crooked to the side. Don’t worry, it can be corrected easily.

I realized the loop here is really ugly -__- , but I did this in a rush. So, when you do it, take your time with each step to make a nicer one from what I did in the pictures here, ya. ;)


Correcting the crooked wire is just as easy as bending it a little inwards with your fingers.



There, much better! =)



The following steps are just the simple wrap making which I believe you should be very familiar by now.

Grip onto the loop with the round nose plier.



And start wrapping.





Wrap as many times as you like. I normally stops after three.



The rest is the same old story of cutting the excess wire off and the nip and tuck.


And here you have it. :)










The Hook here.
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1 hollers:

Frances said...

Ahhh! This is most useful. I have alawys wanted to learn how to make the eye. :) So now I know it. I tried it but it's not neat. Needs more practise..

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