ECT TV Episode 73: Simple Hoop Earrings
Today I have a new episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV) for you!In ECT TV Episode 72, I showed you how to make hammered hoops and those hoops hung from an earring wire.In this episode the hoops are all inclusive and no earring wire is necessary.Here's today's video episode:Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:Same instructions as the video, but in step-by-step photos. Sign up for my newsletter to get future episodes in PDF form in your inbox. (Form below - you also get my Intro to Wire Wrapping eCourse for FREE!)
Materials and Tools:
- 20 gauge, half-hard, round wire
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Jewelry file
- Nylon or rawhide hammer
- Steel block
- Ring mandrel or other cylindrical object to form the hoops around
Step #1
Cut 2 pieces of wire 3 1/2 inches each.Make sure each end of the wire has a flush cut and that the 2 pieces of wire are exactly the same length.Step #2
Now make a simple loop on one end of each wire.Hold the wire in round nose pliers. The wire should be at the top of the pliers, but not poking through.Twist your wrist away from you while wrapping the wire around the pliers to form a loop. Go as far as your wrist will allow, readjust and complete the loop.TIP: Make a mark with a sharpie on your round nose pliers then use that mark to line up your wire when making loops to make your loops uniform.Step #3
Now center the loop on the wire.Put your round nose pliers back in the loop and roll back to center the loop.The loop may open when you do that. Just carefully close it using your chain nose pliers.Step #4
Use a nylon or rawhide hammer and hammer only the loop.Step #5
File the other end of the wire because it will be going into your ear. You want to take away any sharp edges and round the wire.Alternatively, you could use a burr cup or wire rounder.Step #6
Wrap the wire around your ring mandrel (or any cylindrical object that's the size you want your hoops to be.) The loop you just made should be flat against the mandrel.Step #7
Using a nylon or rawhide hammer, hammer the hoop avoiding the loop and the last 1/4 inch or so on the other end.Step #8
Use your chain nose pliers to bend up the wire so that it will hook into the loop on the other end.If you need to, place the earring back on the ring mandrel to make sure the shape is still round and make any adjustments.To wear these, simple unhook them, put the wire through the front of your earring hole and hook in the back.These hoops are really cute plain. I love the simplicity of them.However, it is really fun to add some glitz to them as well. In Earring Extravaganza, one of the 30 earring tutorials shows you how to bling these earrings up!And there are 30 tutorial earring tutorials with videos and PDFs for each project!This was formerly known as Earrings eCourse and I ran the last session in September and updated all of the earrings. And now you can take this eCourse any time and at your own pace!30 earring projects - 1 per day for a month!Find out more here: Earring Extravaganza
