What Are Headpins? A Simple Guide for Jewelry Makers

Headpins are one of the basic findings used in handmade jewelry. They are simple to use once you understand how they work, and they can turn individual beads into finished jewelry components.

What Are Headpins?

Headpins are short, straight pieces of wire used in jewelry making. One end of the wire has a flat, ball, or decorative shape, kind of like the head of a nail. That head stops beads from sliding off the wire. The other end stays plain and straight so you can slide beads onto it and then bend it into a loop.

If you have ever picked up a pair of dangle earrings or a beaded charm bracelet, there is a good chance headpins were used to make them. They are one of the most basic tools in a jewelry making kit, right alongside jump rings and wire cutters.

Headpins come in different metals. Common choices are brass, copper, sterling silver, and gold filled wire. Each one has a different look and price, so you can pick what fits your project and your budget. Some headpins are plain, and some already have a small ball or paddle shape formed on the end, which saves you a step when you sit down to work.

Types of Headpins

Not all headpins look the same, and knowing the difference helps you pick the right one for your project.

Ball headpins have a small round ball at the end of the wire. This is the most common style and works well for most beads.

Paddle headpins, sometimes called flat headpins, have a small flat disc at the end instead of a ball. They give beads a slightly different look and sit flush against the bead.

Decorative headpins have a small design at the top, like a flower, spiral, or tiny gemstone. These work well when you want the top of the headpin to be part of the design instead of hidden under a bead.

Headpins also come in different wire thicknesses, known as gauge. A lower number means a thicker wire. Thicker wire holds heavier beads better, while thinner wire is easier to bend and works well for light beads.

Here is a simple way to compare the main types.

Type of Headpin	What the Top Looks Like	Best Used For	Common Gauge
Ball Headpin	Small round ball	General use, most beads	22 or 24 gauge
Paddle Headpin	Small flat disc	Beads with wider holes	20 or 22 gauge
Decorative Headpin	Flower, spiral, or gem shape	Designs where the top shows	22 gauge
Plain Headpin	Flat cut, no shape	Simple or rustic looks	20 to 24 gauge

If you are just starting out, a pack of ball headpins in 22 gauge is a safe and simple choice. You can try other styles once you feel comfortable with the basics.

What are Headpins Used For?

Headpins show up in a lot of jewelry projects because they are so simple to use. Here are some of the most common ways people use them.

1: Earrings: This is probably the most popular use. You slide one or more beads onto a headpin, form a loop, and attach it to an ear wire.

2: Bracelet charms: Headpins let you add a dangling bead or charm to a chain or bracelet without needing anything fancy.

3: Necklace dangles: A single bead or a small stack of beads on a headpin can hang from a necklace chain for a simple, pretty detail.

4: Connecting pieces. Sometimes headpins are used just to connect one part of a design to another, especially when you want a bead to move or spin a little.

Because headpins are so easy to shape with basic tools, they are one of the first techniques most people learn when they start making jewelry.

How to Use Headpins for Jewelry Making?

Using a headpin is easier than it looks, and once you get the hang of it, you will be able to do it without thinking too much.

Here is the basic method, step by step.

1. Slide your bead or beads onto the headpin. The flat or ball end at the bottom will stop the beads from falling off.
2. Leave a small amount of wire above the top bead, usually about one centimeter, sometimes written as three eighths of an inch.
3. Hold the wire firmly with round nose pliers, right where the wire meets the top bead.
4. Bend the wire to a right angle. This gives you a clean base for the loop.
5. Use the tip of the round nose pliers to roll the wire into a full circle, forming a loop.
6. Trim off any extra wire with wire cutters, then gently squeeze the loop closed with flat nose pliers if needed.

That loop is what lets you attach the headpin to an ear wire, jump ring, or chain. Once you practice this a few times, it becomes second nature.

A few basic tools make this much easier: round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, and a pair of wire cutters. If you are buying tools for the first time, these three are enough to get started.

How to Make Earrings with Headpins?

Making a simple pair of earrings with headpins is a great first project, and you can finish both earrings in under twenty minutes.

What you will need:

• Two headpins
• Four to six beads, depending on the look you want
• Two ear wires
• Round nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Wire cutters

Steps:

1. Pick two matching beads or a small matching set for each earring, so both sides look balanced.
2. Slide the beads onto the first headpin in the order you want them to sit.
3. Leave a small length of wire above the top bead, then bend it to a right angle with your pliers.
4. Roll the wire into a loop using the round nose pliers, then trim the extra wire.
5. Open the loop slightly to the side, not straight out, and slip it onto the loop of an ear wire, then close it back up.
6. Repeat the same steps with the second headpin and ear wire so both earrings match.

Once you have made one pair, you can start playing with different bead colors, headpin styles, and lengths to change the look completely. Longer headpins with a few beads spaced out create a nice dangle earring, while a single bead close to the top gives a simple, everyday look.

How to Choose the Right Headpins?

With so many options, picking the right headpin can feel confusing at first. Here are a few simple things to think about before you buy.

Think about weight. Heavier beads, like large glass or stone beads, need a thicker gauge headpin, closer to 20 gauge. Light beads, like small seed beads or tiny charms, work fine with a thinner 24 gauge wire.

Think about color and finish. Gold filled and sterling silver headpins give a polished, long lasting look and work well for pieces you plan to sell or wear often. Brass and copper are more affordable and great for practicing or casual pieces.

Think about the top style. If your beads have small holes, a ball headpin usually looks cleanest. If you want the top of the headpin to be part of the design, go with a decorative style instead.

Buying a mixed pack when you are starting out is a smart way to try a few types before deciding what you like best.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few small mistakes are easy to make when you are just starting out with headpins. Knowing them ahead of time can save you some frustration.

Cutting the wire too short. Leave enough wire above the bead to form a full loop. If you cut too close, you may not have enough left to work with.

Using the wrong pliers. Flat nose pliers can leave small marks on soft wire like gold filled or sterling silver. Round nose pliers are built to shape loops without damaging the metal.

Choosing a gauge that is too thin. If your beads are heavy, a thin headpin can bend or break under the weight. Go with a thicker gauge for heavier beads.

Skipping practice loops. Your first few loops might come out uneven, and that is normal. Practice on a few spare headpins before starting on a project you care about.

Once you are aware of these, headpins become a lot less intimidating to work with.

Headpins vs Eyepins

Headpins and eyepins are both useful jewelry making findings, but their ends are designed differently.

Feature	Headpins	Eyepins
End design	Has a head or stopper	Has a loop
Main purpose	Holds beads on the wire	Connects beads or components
Bottom of bead	Stopped by the head	Usually sits against a loop
Common projects	Earrings, charms, bead drops	Linked bead components, necklaces, bracelets
Open end	Used to create a loop	Used to create another loop
Beginner use	Making single beaded drops	Joining multiple components

The easiest way to remember the difference is to look at the bottom end.

A headpin has a stopping end that keeps the beads from sliding off. An eyepin has a loop at one end, which allows you to connect another component.

Eyepins are especially useful when you want to create a chain of connected beads. Headpins are often used when you want to create a finished beaded drop.

Where to Buy Headpins?

If you are ready to start your own jewelry projects, you will need a reliable place to buy headpins. A Girls Gems carries a wide range of headpins in different metals, finishes, and gauges, so it is easy to find what fits your project, whether you are just starting out or already have some experience.

You can shop the full range of headpins at the A Girls Gems headpins collection. We also carry other basics you will need along the way, like eye pins, jump rings, and beads, so you can get everything in one place at A Girls Gems.

Buying good quality wire makes a real difference in how your finished jewelry looks and holds up over time, so it is worth choosing a shop that focuses on jewelry supplies specifically.

Conclusion

Headpins are one of the simplest tools in jewelry making, but they open up a lot of possibilities once you know how to use them. From a single bead earring to a stack of colorful charms, most of it starts with one small piece of wire.

If you are new to this, start with a basic pack of ball headpins, practice a few loops, and give the earring project a try. Once you get comfortable, you will start reaching for headpins in almost every project you make.

Frequently Asked Questions

1: What is the difference between a headpin and an eye pin?

 A headpin has a flat or ball shaped end that stops beads from sliding off, while an eye pin has a small loop already formed on one end. Eye pins are often used to connect beads in a row, while headpins are used to make single dangles.

2: What gauge headpin is best for earrings?

 A 22 gauge headpin works well for most light earring beads. If your beads are on the heavier side, a 20 gauge headpin will hold up better.

3: Can you reuse headpins?

 Yes, as long as the wire has not been bent too many times or weakened. Straighten the wire gently and check that it is still sturdy before reusing it.

4: Do headpins tarnish over time?

 Some metals, like plain brass or copper, can darken over time, especially with skin oils and air exposure. Sterling silver and gold filled headpins tend to hold their color longer.

5: What length of headpin should I buy?

 A common length is about two inches, which works for most earring and dangle projects. If you plan to stack several beads, a longer headpin gives you more room to work with.