Two 24-gauge 11⁄4" (3.2 cm) diameter copper discs or 24-gauge copper sheet
4" (10 cm) of 20-gauge copper wire
Disc cutter
Dapping block and punches
Ball-peen hammer
Butane micro torch
Annealing pan with pumice stone
Fireproof work surface (cookie sheet)
Quenching bowl
Utility pliers
3 mm dimple-forming pliers
1.8 mm metal hole-punch pliers
Flush cutters
Steel bench block
Round-nose pliers
Medium-grit sanding sponge
Sharpie marker or mandrel
13⁄4" (4.5 cm) including ear wire
1. If you’re not using precut discs, cut two 11⁄4" (3.8 cm) discs from the copper sheet using the disc cutter. Place each disc back into the disc cutter at the 1⁄2" (1.3 cm) hole and cut a second hole close to the edge of each disc.
2. Place each disc into the appropriate-size depression in the dapping block and gently dome each disc with the matching punch.
3. Flame patina (see To Patina Using Heat + Flame) the discs with the butane micro torch to color the copper. Quench and dry.
4. Use the dimple-forming pliers to punch dimples around the edge of the hole in each disc.
5. Make a hole in the top of each disc for the ear wires using the hole-punch pliers.
6. Cut the 20-gauge wire in half and hammer 5⁄8" (1.5 cm) on one end of each wire into a paddle.
7. Use round-nose pliers to bend the flattened paddles up into a small hook. Thread a domed disc onto the hook and bend the length of the wire around a Sharpie or mandrel to form the ear wire; repeat for the other earring.
8. File the ends of the ear wires smooth and hammer the curves to work-harden them.
Swanstrom disc cutter, annealing pan with pumice stone: riogrande.com. Dimple-forming pliers: beadsmith.com. Copper discs: monsterslayer.com; beaducation.com.