Statement earrings are so fun. What better way is there to make a statement than with a unique beaded hoop that is both modern and organic. I love the way these diy wire wrapped beaded hoop earrings combine structure and chaos with a firm smooth shape delicately strung in natural stone and shell materials. A threaded hoop closure keeps the look more contemporary. The colors complement all of the burgundy likely making its way into your wardrobe this fall. Most of my favorite jewelry pieces are unique pieces made by artists rather than store-bought and mass produced. With this simple diy, you can make your own beaded hoop earrings in about an hour.
DIY Wire Wrapped Beaded Hoop Earring Materials
1 Spool 22-gauge Gold Brass Wire
1 Spool 28-gauge Copper Wire
18 Quartz Chip Beads
12 8mm Flat Round Shell Beads
18 6mm Round red coral Beads
22 4mm Round Shell Beads
2 4mm Ruby Beads
Round Nose Pliers
Wire Snips
DIY Wire Wrapped Beaded Hoop Earring Instructions
First, you’ll cut two lengths of 22-gauge brass wire. I made my statement hoop earrings with a 2-inch diameter and dramatic 3-inch length. You can go for the drama, or a more conservative 1 or 1.5 inch hoop. To cut the length, loosely measure the shape of the hoop with a measuring tape and use snips to clip the wire. You can always trim it down later, so a little longer is better.
Grasp the tip of the wire with the round nose pliers and roll the wire around the nose to make a little loop. This loop will be the closure for the threaded hoop earring, so it should be perpendicular to the “post” of the earring. Bend the loop back a bit so it’s centered.
Loosely shape the wire into the measured loop, and use the pliers to bend a flat line for the post. At this stage in the earring, don’t worry too much about the hoop taking exactly the right shape. As you wire wrap the beads on, it’ll come into form.
Next, trim a length of 28-gauge copper wire. Wind it three times around the bottom left of the hoop. Thread a quartz chip on the wire. Pull the wire tight and wrap it three times around the hoop, working into the center of the hoop.
Repeat with the remaining 8 quartz chip beads. As you wrap each chip, stand it up in the direction that it will best sit on the hoop wire. I find that the thinnest, flattest side of the chip is the best. After you wrap the last chip, trim the wire ends.
Clip another length of copper wire. Wrap it three times around the hoop, just above the row of quartz chips. Thread 9 red coral beads onto the wire, pull it tight, and bind it around the other side of the hoop with three wraps of the wire.
Trim the wire ends on both sides of the red beads.
With a third length of copper wire, wrap it three times around the hoop above the row of red beads. Thread 6 flat round shell beads on the wire, pull it tight and bind it on the opposite side with three wraps.
Trim the ends of the wire. Your hoop should be beginning to take its shape a bit more firmly now.
On the last row of beads, the hoop shape will be defined. Snip a fourth length of copper wire, and bind it to the post side of the hoop with three loops. Thread 5 of the small round shell beads, 1 ruby bead, and 6 more shell beads. I like the way the ruby bead brings a bit of unexpected color to the earring. Pull the wire tight, and wrap it three times around the opposite side of the hoop. Trim the ends of the wire.
That’s it! You should have a cute little threaded hoop earring with wire wrapped beads. Repeat this to make the second earring.
Wire wrapped bead hoop earrings are actually not as hard to make as they looked at first! The first few beads were a bit tedious to wrap. But like most projects, once I started I was finished before I knew it. Play around with different combinations of beads and wire wrapping to make your own unique earrings. If you’re not feeling up to it, you may want to just buy some handmade beaded hoop earrings. I loooove the ones that Emily Gibbons is selling at Anthropologie right now. They have more advanced wire wrapping techniques with high quality gold materials and semi-precious stones. She has even more options for sale at her website: http://www.emilygibbonsjewelry.com/
Looking for inspiration or a quick fix? Here are a few of my favorite beaded hoop earrings from around the web:
