The blob at the end of the pin is usually the end of the wire, melted. When you heat the wire enough, it simply melts back onto itself, and forms the ball. Also, close to where metal is heated, it becomes more pliable. Perhaps this was the cause of the ball coming off, if there was some space between the ball & the pearl, and it was knocked or pushed, it may have broken at that point. If the pearl is right up against the ball, it protects the softest part of the wire.
I think most of the "Lowly Beaders" earrings are made using fully drilled pearls, so there are sure to be lots of gorgeous design ideas, which could be interpreted in precious metal, from those sources.
Also, I am in total awe of granulation! Those tiny balls are fused to the surface, by heating the metal *almost* to the point where it melts, bearing in mind, that small pieces of gold melt quicker than larger pieces, and the temperature is very hard to gauge, while the whole thing is nearing glowing cherry red. An absoulute triumph, Carolyn
