Hoop earrings are always in style and if you practice making several
sizes and embellishing them in different ways, then you’ll always have this
essential earring staple to complete your wardrobe no matter what the current
trends may be.
Here's a simple tutorial for creating some basic hoop style earrings.
Flush cut two (2) pieces of 20g wire to your
desired length. Your length will depend on how large or small you wish your hoops to
be. For these photos I cut two, 5 inch pieces of wire.
Make a simple loop on one end of each of your pieces of wire.
To form the hoop portion, you will need a mandrel.
This can be a fat marker, an actual ring mandrel, a nail polish bottle, a film canister or your looping or wrap-n-tap pliers.
Wrap each piece of wire around the mandrel you've selected to form a round shape.
To keep the shape you’ve created, you will want to lightly tap each
ear-hoop with your plastic or rawhide mallet, either on your bench block or
while it’s around your mandrel.
Neither the plastic or rawhide mallet with flatten your wire, but it will work harden it enough so that your hoops will keep their shape.
Take your jewelry file and smooth out the straight part of
the hoop. This portion will go into your ear so you want to make sure it is smooth and
won't scratch your ear.
Grasp the straight part of the wire you just filed with
your chain nose pliers, about 2
to 3 cm up, and bend it to a 90 angle to form the ‘hook’ that will fit into the
loop portion of your hoops to close them.
Lay your hoops on your bench block and hammer the bottom of
the hoop portion to flatten it a bit. This not only gives it some strength, but some style as well.
And, if you're planning on wire wrapping some lovely little gemstones or beads on to your hoops, this will help the wire from spinning around while you're wrapping!
And remember, your hoops don't have to be round. Oval hoops are quite fun and stylish, too!
Now for the fun part!
You can leave your hoops they way they are right now - simple and stylish - or you can embellish your hoops with bead dangles, wire wrap them with a different metal for a mixed metal look or you can wire wrap some fun beads on them to add color and texture.
You can even wrap ribbons, leather or cord around them with wire or add charms or other beads for a truly unique and textured look!
Whatever you do, have fun and Hoop It Up!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Hoopty-Do!!
Cheers,
~Shel~
