The back of the pin above is made as a cold join connection. I drew a pattern so I could make sure I got it straight then I just cut out the tabs with a jeweler's saw before I joined the front and back. Bend the tabs up and punch with a hole punch plier.
A trick I learned in my advanced metalworking class this summer was to take my nickel silver wire and twist it to harden it and make it springy for a pin. I put the end of the 16 gauge nickel silver wire in my flex shaft and held the other end with a pair of pliers with teeth and turned it on slowly. The twisting helped work harden the wire. I let it go around 10-15 times but I'm sure it depends on the gauge.
Make nice sharp corners with a pair of square nose pliers and thread through the holes in the tabs. This is where I am glad to have Hole Punch Pliers on the work bench as it is so easy to make the holes in the tiny tabs....slightly round the lower tabs to catch the pin.
Because I'm planning on using this on my sweaters I rounded the ends rather than sharpened them like a pin. Can't wait for some weather cool enough to try it out!
Leave a comment and I'll draw a name to win a pair of hole punch pliers!! Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter as there are more projects and ideas and all the website discounts and sales...Linda
