The FTC has a SUPER strict definition of handmade for metal jewelry and in order to call my pieces handmade, I have to handcraft every single component. So, I've started making my own earwires. I start by using a torch to ball up the end of some wire. This is sterling silver wire, so you can see the balls are not completely smooth: they pit a little.
At BeadFest I learned that when I do this with Argentium wire, it's best not to quench in water, but just to let the wire cool on its own. Then I cut the wire off 2 inches from the end and use tools to shape the wire. Here are my hands, desperately in need of lotion, working the wire into the shape I want it.
Well, those look lovely, except there's nothing to stop those earwires from slipping out of your ears! The last step is to put a bend at the bottom of the earwire, like this:
Then, of course, I polish and burnish and tumble these earwires until they're hard and shiny. Ooooh, shiiiiiiny. You can see the handcrafted earwires on my newest earrings, like the copper oak leaf earrings here:
