Home / Jewelry Making Tips and Techniques / Copper Hat Pins
Copper Hat Pins
by Dale Armstrong
Question:

I wish to make hat pins with copper wire. Could you tell me what temper and gauge I should use to take beads, and not bend?

-Bev in Melbourne, Australia
Instructions
Answer:

Bev, as you mentioned, the choice of gauge would depend on the weight of the beads used to make a hatpin, as well as the size of their holes.

One of our WS Faculty members collects antique hats and sometimes makes hatpins. She uses a full hard temper wire in gauges from 18 through 20. Because copper is naturally a soft metal, you might try using a rubber hammer and bench block to harden the wire without changing the shape.

Another way to harden round copper wire would be to put it into a drill and twist it. No, you will not see a difference in the shape of the wire, it will still be perfectly round, but it will be harder. Just don't twist too much or it will become brittle and could break or snap more easily.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Flower Hat Pin Pattern: Designed by Tracey McKenzie
Dale Armstrong's Copper Hat Pins - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Hat Pin

Materials

18 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-18HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.54
  • Gold Club Price: $0.41
Add to Bag
20 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.41
  • Gold Club Price: $0.31
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

2 Ounce Rubber Head Hammer
G3-19
  • G3-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $28.95
  • Gold Club Price: $21.71
Add to Bag
3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)
G5-15
  • G5-15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $42.97
  • Gold Club Price: $32.23
Add to Bag
3 Prong Wire Twister Head
G5-2
  • G5-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
Add to Bag
Double Ended Pin Vise
G5-4
  • G5-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
Add to Bag
Pin Vise - 4 Piece Set
G5-7
  • G5-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.23
Add to Bag
Sliding Pin Vise
G10-22
  • G10-22
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.23
Add to Bag
Swivel Head Pin Vise
G5-1
  • G5-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Swivel-Headed Pin Vise
PIN-220.00
  • PIN-220.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping

Reviews

Login to post a Review
Login to be the first to review this Tip!