How to Use Eyepins and Headpins in Jewelry Designs

Many people, especially the jewelry makers and designers, know what eyepins and headpins are. Both eyepins and headpins are very popular for earrings, charm bracelets and many other fashion jewelry projects.

 

Brass Eyepins

When you walk around in your local jewelry stores or search eye pins and head pins online, you will find that both pins come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and finishes, from silver or gold plated base metal, to vintage or precious metals like sterling silver and gold filled pins. About their sizes, you will find that they are described as different units—gauge and millimeter. Some people may not clear about gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the wire, so a 24 gauge eye pin or head pin is thinner than a 20 gauge pin.

 

Iron Headpins

Katrina, one of my friends, likes beadings, but still just a beginner. She asked:” what are eye pins for? How do I use eyepins?” I think it is the same problem or question many other beginners meet. Eyepins are one kind of pins who have a loop at one end. Eye pins are used when you want to connect things on both sides of the beads. Well, if you just want a dangle, a head pin is normally used. And eye pins may be used when the inside of a bead is rough and might cut thread. For a bracelet, beads on separate eyepins would be more flexible than one strung on tiger-tail. In a word, head pins are great for making drops and eye pins are perfect for linking your creations.

 

Handmade Polymer Clay Flowers Earrings

Here I’d like to share an earring design to show the usages of eyepins and head pins with beginners of jewelry making. The materials we need are handmade polymer clay flower beads, faceted drop glass beads, eyepins, headpins and earring hooks. First, string a drop glass bead on a headpin, and use round nose jewelry plier to make a loop at the top of glass bead. Second, string a handmade polymer clay flower bead on an eyepin, and use round nose jewelry plier to make a loop at the top of flower bead too. Third, use your jewelry plier to attach the glass drop on the bottom ring of eyepin. Fourth, attach the whole earring drop on the ring of earring hook. Sixth, repeat the above five steps to create the other earring for a pair.

A pair of beautiful, elegant handmade polymer clay flower earrings has been finished. I am sure the beginners should have known how the eyepins and headpins work well. Just purchase some eye pins and head pins to create your own one of a kind jewelry designs.