Introduction: WIKarts: Create Jewelry With Wire and Pinback Buttons
Learn how to make wire inserts that can be used to connect pinback buttons in a variety of ways and be used with cord, beads, chain mail, and other materials to produce unique styles of jewelry!
Tools and Materials:
"Parallel Loop" Wire Insert
- 3.25 to 3.5 inch length of 18, 19, or 20 gauge sturdy wire
- Round-nose pliers
- Flat-nose (or chain-nose) pliers
- Strong wire cutter
- Ring mandrel or socket bit
- Ruler
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"Perpendicular Loop" Wire Insert
- 3.25 inch length of 18, 19, or 20 gauge sturdy wire
- Round-nose pliers
- Flat-nose (or chain-nose) pliers
- Strong wire cutter
- Ring mandrel or socket bit
- Ruler
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Ear Wire Insert
- 4.5 inch length of 18, 19, or 20 gauge sturdy wire
- Round-nose pliers
- Flat-nose (or chain-nose) pliers
- Strong wire cutter
- Ring mandrel or socket bit
- Metal file
- Pen or round pencil
- Ruler
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Making Buttons with Cardstock
- Cardstock
- 7/8 inch hole punch
- Button making machine and supplies for 1 inch buttons
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Making Buttons with Adhesive Sign Vinyl
- Adhesive sign vinyl
- Wax paper
- Scissors
- Button making machine and supplies for 1 inch buttons
- Hole punch (or stencil, scissors, and permanent marker)
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I use a Tecre 1 inch button making machine which can be purchased here:
https://www.tecre.com/catalog/button-maker-machine...
I bought my 1 inch round graphic punch there as well.
You can also get button making machines and parts at http://www.usabuttons.com (I've never ordered from them but they seem to have a long history and they have machines that will make the same style of button necessary for these wire inserts, but in different sizes! All you have to do to make inserts for larger buttons is use slightly longer wire.)
I usually get my button parts from http://www.buttonboyinc.com because they've always been professional, the prices are good, and you can buy sets with the collet, button shell, and mylar without having to buy the spring pin.
Here is the Crystal Sign Vinyl used in the last tutorial:
https://www.signwarehouse.com/c/schein-fantasy-cry...
A great place to find vintage playing cards is at garage sales because they're very often inexpensive and you can sort through them to see if you like the designs.
A good place to buy surgical stainless steel wire is on Etsy, but you can find it at many places online. The types I use are 316 or 430 - some are springy and some are not, and some online sellers specify if it's soft, half-hard, hard, or spring steel, while others do not. You may have to send an email enquiry to be sure.
If you want to use sterling silver I'd suggest full hard 19 or 20 gauge because it's very sturdy and will spring fairly well. I get all my silver wire from http://www.RioGrande.com but it's available all over the web.
I bought my 7/8 inch punch and 1-1/4 inch punch at a scrapbooking store several years ago - you may have a similar store in your area, or you can search online.
I generally link to US suppliers because that's where I am - if you're in another country you may be able to purchase supplies from these companies, or you can look for a local supplier to save on shipping costs.
Thanks for watching and I hope you make some cool items!
Visit my website ( http://WIKarts.com ) for information about my other projects and publications, and subscribe to my channel for additional video tutorials!
