Lots of new ear wire designs

Petite Three Point

Petite Squared Off

Crooked Leg

Small Spade

Large Spade

Squared off with crooked leg

Semi Oval

Mini, medium and classic ear wire

Bubble Wires in four different sizes

2010 is quickly becoming the year of the ear wire at Ruby Mountain Beads! And it's not even 2010 yet!!! The past couple of nights I have been inspired to design and create ear wire, after ear wire, and I feel like I haven't exhausted all of my avenues yet.

I have a confession to make, I love making ear wires. There, I said it, it's true. I find the whole process soothing. Forming the wire, bending it just so. Hammering precisely, filing the ends smooth. Testing it with an earring to see if it hangs just right. Strange. I know.

All new styles can be found at Ruby Mountain Beads!

What would you call this ear wire?

Click here to view listing on Etsy"

The shape of this ear wire is unusual in comparison to the typical fish hook or french ear wires you see on most jewelry. I'm having trouble deciding exactly what shape to call it. I settled on leaf shape.

There are only so many ways to bend a wire into a shape that can be called an ear wire. It is inevitable that there is going to be someone who already came up with a design that you thought was unique.

I have seen similar ear wires to this one on Etsy. One seller calls it "Elfin". Really cute name. I like it. They do resemble what we have come to think of as elf shaped ears. I also can see a leaf shape in them.

I am a bit of a Star Trek fan. Not a fanatic, but a fan. I have seen all of the television series, (except the original) and most of the movies. I have never been to a convention, nor do I plan on going to one. I haven't tried to learn how to speak Klingon, or dressed up like a Borg for Halloween. I did go see the latest Star Trek movie though, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Especially the young Spock played by Zachary Quinto. I have seen some of his other work, and photos, but he doesn't quite do anything for me unless he has those pointy ears!

Now can you see it? Shall I call them Vulcan ear wires? I think it is fun and a little nerdy, but I'm afraid most people wouldn't appreciate Vulcan ear wires, so I have settled on leaf shaped.

At any rate, they are a great ear wire. The shape is interesting and adds to the earring itself. The slight point at the top helps keep the ear wire right where it is supposed to stay. In the ear!

Hand made findings

Today's post is about handmade findings. Here are two examples of handmade findings available at http://humboldtsupplies.etsy.com . The top photo is of 20 1 1/2" sterling silver head pins with ball end. The 2nd photo is of 20 gauge sterling silver ear wires made with square wire.

I've taken up making jewelry again after about a 6 year hiatus. I had a lot of beads and findings already. All commercially produced. After I discovered Etsy, and started checking out all the wonderful and different styles of jewelry, I noticed that the jewelry made with hand made findings really stood out. There are even shops dedicated solely to producing hand made findings.

Never one to shy away from trying a new art, I dove right in. I got wire in different gauges, a small butane powered torch, pickle, liver of sulfur, even a tumbler! I have been having a lot of fun making findings. I really wish I had more time to dedicate to working with wire, and hope to spend more time concentrating on this in the near future.

One of the best discoveries I have made is that hand made ear wires are far superior to anything I have ever purchased that is commercially produced. The wire is stronger, stay in the ears better, and take a pair of earrings to a whole new level. Ear wires are not just there to hold your earrings in your ear! They are an important part of the whole piece, and can take your designs to a whole new level.