How to Make a Ball Pin with Copper or Silver

Abbi Berta of The Bead Place and www.beadplace.net shows you how to ball copper or silver wire using a micro butane torch to make a balled headpin (ball pin). Torch: http://www.beadplace.net/apps/webstore/products/show/5562642 You may decide to wear safety glasses as a precaution. Always work on a flame proof surface. Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby. A lot of people ask why we recommend balling the wire with the flame upright. When you heat the metal from the side, the ball can sometimes gravitate away from the flame. We find that holding the flame upright gives the most consistent and centered balls. Always be careful to watch the ball and do not allow it to get too big that it might drip off of the wire and into your flame or on your work surface. Splattered molten metal wouldn't be fun to pick off your arms. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeadplace