Copper Ball Head Pins

I DID IT! Finally. So I've tried and tried to make my copper ball head pins with no success. Making them in fine sterling silver was so easy! So I thought...why is it so hard to make them in copper?

It's actually quite difficult if you don't know how to do it right! So what's the trick you ask? Here are the simple, easy steps to follow to make your very own copper ball head pins:

1. Hold the copper wire at the very end with a pair of wooden handled metal tweezers.
2. Using a butane torch, turn up the flame as high as it will go.
3. Using a kiln brick, hold the copper wire (with the tweezers) just 1/2 inch above.
4. Center the end of the wire in the flame, just in front of the blue cone of fire.
5. Viola, a ball will form at the end of the wire!

The trick is using the kiln brick to help keep the heat centered on the end of the wire which helps to form the ball on the end. I've made copper ball head pins in 20 gauge and 18 gauge wire with ease following these steps.