Making a Bail From a Head Pin
Convert any bead into a charm or pendant by changing a headpin into a bail. Incorporate the bail into your jewelry designs.
by Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
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Instructions
Step 1
Slide a bead of your choice onto a headpin.
Step 2
Using round-nose pliers, grip the wire above the bead and bend the headpin to a 90 degree angle.
Step 3
Using round-nose pliers, grip the headpin about 1/2 - 3/4 inch above the top of the bead. Bend the wire over the nose of the pliers so the tip of the wire is in front of the bead, near the head of the headpin.
Step 4
While holding the bead and the forming bail between your fingers of your non-dominant hand, grip the tip of the wire with your round-nose pliers. Work the wire around the headpin, behind the head and form a loop. The head of the headpin will keep the loop in place and secure.
Step 5
Trim any excess wire then tuck in the end using the round-nose pliers.
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The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
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