How To Make Wire Hoop Earrings & Customise Them
Create your own wire hoop earrings with a few simple steps!
Wire hoop earrings are perfect for spring and summer designs - watch our video tutorial below how to form a hoop using basic wire wrapping techniques.
On this page, we'll also show you simple ways you can customise your hoops with your favourite colourful beads and charms - plus a handy tool that helps you make your own ear wires from wire.
All you need is a bit of imagination and the possibilities are endless.
Recommended Tools & Supplies
Get all the tools and supplies you need online with Kernowcraft.
- 0.8mm sterling silver wire for the hoop - or your choice of metal such as copper or brass
- Mandrel or round object to form the hoop
- Jewellery pliers: round nose, snipe nose & side cutters
- Nylon jaw flat pliers/chasing hammer & steel block to work harden the wire
- Your choice of beads (check the size of the bead hole to ensure it fits onto the wire) or charms to attach to the hoop
- Ear wires or ear wire maker & 0.8mm wire if you want to make your own
Watch How To Make Beaded Hoop Earrings
How To Customise Your Hoop Earring Designs
Slide Beads Onto The Hoops
One of the most simplest ways to customise your hoops is by sliding on your favourite beads to complete the look. Just make sure the bead hole is big enough for the wire.
Click below to get the step by step instructions to this kit, tool recommendations and a handy one click shopping list of the supplies needed.
Wire Wrap Beads Onto The Hoops
Another popular way to incorporate beads is to wire wrap them onto the hoops for an eye catching design. This works well with 0.3mm and 0.5mm wire, which is thinner than the 0.8mm wire used to form the hoops.
Click below to get the step by step instructions to this kit, tool recommendations and a handy one click shopping list of the supplies needed.
Wire Wrap A Single Briolette Bead
We love the way wire wrapped briolette beads look! Perfect for attaching to hoop earrings, chains to create minimal necklaces or dangling off ear wires.
Follow our tutorial on how to wire wrap briolette beads.
Click below to get the step by step instructions to this kit, tool recommendations and a handy one click shopping list of the supplies needed.
Forget Beads! Attach Your Favourite Charms
Maybe you're not a fan of beads and are a lover of statement charms. Choose from our wide range of charms online - all you'll need is a jump ring to attach them to your hoops. This design also shows you how you can change the shape of your hoops to suit your style.
Click below to get the step by step instructions to this kit, tool recommendations and a handy one click shopping list of the supplies needed.
Shop The Jewellery Making Tools & Supplies You Need
Metal Wire For Jewellery Making
When making earring hoops from wire, we usually go for 0.8mm wire - this size is the recommended choice to fit through your ear but is also great for forming shapes. We've used sterling silver but you could firstly practice with more affordable metal such as brass or copper wire.
Pack of Pliers & Side Cutters
When making hoops, you will need a range of pliers to help you form shapes and manipulate your wire. This includes snipe nose pliers, round nose pliers and side cutters. We'd recommend purchasing our pack of pliers which contains all the pliers you're likely to need for jewellery making! Or browse our plier range to buy them separately.
Use Your Favourite Beads
The possibilities are endless! There are a whole range of stunning beads to choose from the complete your hoop designs. Browse our full range - just make sure you choose beads with a hole big enough for your chosen wire. We also provide a beautiful selection of metal beads which are great to use as spacers or to add a decorative element.
Explore Jewellery Charms
Combine your favourite beads with charms! This is a great way to add some personality and fun to your makes. We have a beautiful selection available in sterling silver and vermeil gold.
Shop Ready Made Earwires
Making earring hoops with a loop means you will need to hand them from ear wires! We have a range available in a variety of styles and metals. Simply twist open the loop and attach to your hoop loop to secure in place.
Make Your Own Earwires With This Handy Tool
This brilliant tool enables you to make consistent ear wires every time! It's so quick and easy, you'll wonder why you never got it sooner.
Options For Work Hardening Your Hoop Earrings
You will often find that the wire you are using is too soft to keep its shape, especially when making hoop earrings. There are a few ways you can 'work harden' your hoops to make them stiff and ensure they won't lose their shape.
Read our advice page on the many ways you can work harden wire for jewellery making
Squeeze With Nylon Jaw Pliers
Nylon jaw pliers are brilliant for working with wire as they won't damage or scratch your work. Gently squeeze the jaws over your hoops until they harden.
Place On Steel Block & Gently Hammer
Place your hoops onto a steel block and use the flat side of a chasing hammer or a rawhide mallet to gently hit until they harden.
You Can Also Create Texture
We love the chasing hammer! You can use the flat side to flatten your work as well as work harden, then use the round end to create a textured effect.
Discover more jewellery hammers that are great to use for creating texture on our website.
Or Customise Ready Made Hoop Earrings
If making your own wire hoop earrings isn't for you, shop our ready made hoops where you can customise with your favourite beads and charms or keep it simple.
Watch More Ways To Customise Hoop Earrings
The products used in these projects are suggestions to inspire you. Products used were compatible at the time of making but do be aware that stocks can vary, so do use your own judgement as to the compatibility of each item when making.
Also in this section:
- Tools For Making Jewellery Using Wire
- Your Guide On Choosing Wire For Jewellery Making
- Compare Jewellery Designs Using Different Sized Wire
- Wire Gauge Coversions
- How To Work Harden Jewellery Making Wire
- How To Use Nylon Jaw Pliers For Jewellery Making
- How To Use A Thing-A-Ma Jig For Jewellery Making
- How to Wire Wrap a Bead With a Headpin
- How To Wire Wrap A Bead
- How To Make A Wire Wrapped Bead Chain
- How To Wire Wrap A Briolette
- Wire Wrapped Cluster Briolette Earring Tutorial
- How To Make Wire Wrapped Bead Necklace With Handmade Clasp
- How To Wire Wrap A Rough Crystal
- How To Make Valentine's Day Earrings: Wonky Wire Hearts
- How To Make A Wire Wrapped Crystal Necklace
- 6 Wire Wrapped Ring Projects & Essential Tools
- How To Make A Wire Wrapped Bead Ring
- How To Make An Anxiety Ring
- How To Make A Wire Wrapped Gemstone Ring
- How To Make A Wire Wrapped Cabochon Pendant
- How To Make A Tree Of Life Pendant
- How To Wire Wrap A Gemstone Donut
- How To Make Christmas Tree Earrings
- Simple Sterling Silver Wire Scroll Earrings
- Soldered Circle Hoop Earrings With Beads Tutorial
- How To Make Wire Hoop Earrings & Customise Them
- Metal Charm Hoop Earring Tutorial
- How To Make A Wire Word Necklace
- 4 Wire Wrapped Gemstone Tube Bead Projects
- Festival Inspired Crystal Necklace Tutorial
HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you advice over email or on the phone.
You can learn more and find inspiration by visiting our Jewellery Making Tutorials, Jewellery Making Kits and YouTube Channel. Don't forget to follow us on social media and tag us in your designs on Instagram & Facebook, we would love to see!