Ask the Experts Head Pins Q&A

What is the best way to straighten badly bent head- and eye pins?

- Marilyn

Using a pair of chain-nose pliers in your non-dominant hand, grip the head pin directly below the head (so you don't flatten it) or flat across the eye of an eye pin. Using a pair of nylon-jaw pliers, place the jaws on the head pin or eye pin right above the chain-nose pliers, then pull the wire straight out of the nylon-jaw pliers. While pulling with the chain-nose pliers, you are creating resistance. This also works great when straightening lengths of spooled wire.

- Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator