Alternatives to headpins and wire swirlys?

Okay so here's the issue...I work a WHOLE LOT with copper wire to make jewelry and I have ran into a little snag.  I like to use my wire to make little wrapped loop charms but the problem I am having is this:  Some things just don't look right with a wire swirly to end the charm and I really don't want to use all my headpins...they are more expensive and well...extra expense matters.  So I have been just making itty bitty loops and bending them back to touch the bead so that it doesn't show...but my OCD keeps kicking in because the little loop can't be centered, it will always lean to one side.  Plus...I am not sure its the most professional looking thing in the world.  And hiding the cut off end of the wire is next to impossible.  I would *LIKE* to be able to make my own headpins by melting the ends of the wire into little balls like I have seen so many other people do but I don't have the equipment for it.  I have a little hand-held butane torch (made for carmelizing sugar on top of a creme brule) but unfortunately it appears that it does not get hot enough to melt the tip of the copper wire.  SAD!  I was just wondering if anyone has some ending alternatives?!  Thanks!!! 

LYILHA:

I would *LIKE* to be able to make my own headpins

I found this site that had some headpin alternatives maybe these will get your creative juices going.

http://www.wittyliving.com/crafts/jewelry/wirewrapped/howtomakeheadpins.html

Shoo! that was a long one.  They had how to make paddles, there was a heart one, spiral, one they call lightening and several others. They all looked rather simple to make. But like I said maybe they will inspire you with another possibillity.

Hope these prove to be some inspiration.

sellen

 Oh!  Thanks sellen!  I completely didn't think of some of these.  Wierd cause I have been making some paddle headpins for other stuff out of thicker wire.  *laugh*  GREAT options for me!!!!  Thank you SO much!

 Glad to help just let me see some of the stuff you come up with.

Have fun!!

sellen

I sometimes use a flatnose plier to flatten the wire tips, and rub the sharp edges on a glass nail file to smoothen it. That's one way to make paddle pins.

Or, when the beadhole is large enough, I take a little bit thinner wire, string the bead, a small seed bead and put the wire back through the large bead, the wire that comes out on top of the bead will be wire wrapped with the wire for the loop... I sometimes do this with 6mm beads, a seed bead and .4mm wire and make the loop & wrap with both wires.

I just grabbed some wire and beads to make you a detail pic, it's allready dark here so lighting is bad.

It uses more wire, but you can use a smaller gauge, so it doesn't have to be expensive...

Oh!  Good point Chrystallinya!  Thanks!  I know JUST what to use that with!!  Man that is gonna save me some serious hassle!!!!  =)

LYILHA:

  I have a little hand-held butane torch (made for carmelizing sugar on top of a creme brule) but unfortunately it appears that it does not get hot enough to melt the tip of the copper wire. 

You don't need an expensive torch - all you need as a Bernz-o-matic propane torch, which is probably a lot less expensive that your fancy creme brule one.  I bought one with an automatic igniter for $25, but if you want one even cheaper, you can get the basic torch head and a canister of propane at Home Depot for $18.  You should also get a small bottle of flux, which will help the wire to ball up evenly.

Lita

SEllen, thanks for sharing the link! I didn't think of some of the varieties, 'cause I use the paddle one most of the time. It was in one of my chainmail books and I love it. I've also seen another headpin with a star at the end. I think it was, with some other possibilities, in the All Wired Up book by Mark Lareau.

I have a small pencil tourch that I bought at Home Depot and it works just fine. It uses Butane gas, the kind you put in lighters. It was pretty cheap and is easy to use and small. I found the protane tank to be heavy and awkward to use. But most any tourch will work. And like Lita mentioned you also need some type of flux.

 What is flux?

Cathi

 Hi Cathi!  Flux is a liquid that you use to control the way that metal flows.  For instance when you solder something you can use flux and it helps control where the metal adhears...at least that is my understanding of its function.  Someone else may give you a better answer!

Flux does that because it keeps the metal from oxidizing when heated, of course the metal should be 'relatively' clean before applying the flux.  With my electronics projects I use flux core solder.

 Thanks.  I still don't really get it, but since I don't solder anything (yet), it's not a burning question.  I'll look it up later.

Cathi