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Want a new pair of hoops? Here’s how to turn two pieces of wire into a unique pair of wiggle hoop earrings.
Want to work with metal but don’t want to invest in all the equipment? Then this tutorial is for you! Follow along to make a unique pair of wiggle hoop earrings using pliers and some wire. I love how simple but stunning this tutorial is. Please note that this tutorial contains affiliate links from which we may receive a small commission.
You’ll need the following tools and materials to make your wiggle hoop earrings:
1: Two pieces of wire, I used 0.8mm diameter sterling silver and cut mine to be about 18cm long each.
You can get silver wire here:
If you’re feeling fancy, you can get solid gold wire here:
2: A jewellery file or emery paper to ensure that the ends of the wire aren’t too sharp.
You can get a jewellery file here:
I have my emery paper attached to a stick for more control. You can get some here:
3: Half round-Flat pliers. These pliers have a half-round side and a flat side to make curves.
You can get a pair here:
4: Round-flat pliers.
You can get a pair here:
5: Parallel pliers.
You can get some here:
6: A bangle mandrel or something else that is the right diameter so you can shape your earrings into a circle.
You can get one here:
7: Butterfly backs.
You can get butterfly backs here:
8: A nylon or leather hammer for shaping the earrings against the mandrel (Don’t use this if you are shaping your earrings around something breakable).
You can get a hammer here:
9: Sticky tape. I used plastic tape but masking tape would likely be more suitable.
You can get masking tape here:
Follow these steps to make your own pair of hoop earrings:
1: File the ends of the wire so that they are flat and have no sharp edges.
2: If you have emery paper, sand the ends as well to further break down any sharp ends.
3: Tape the two pieces of wire together.
4: Take your half round-flat pliers and create the first bend at the end of the wire by clamping the wire into the jaws of the pliers and pressing them together.
5: Flip the pliers around and place them on the other side of the wire and repeat step 4 to make a curve in the wire in the opposite direction.
6: Repeat steps 4 and 5 until your pieces of wire are formed into a squiggle shape, but leave about 1cm at the end for the earring post.
7: Remove the tape and separate the wires.
8: Wrap the wire around the bracelet mandrel to form it into the earring shape. Use the nylon hammer to hammer it into shape. Repeat this for both of the earrings.
9: You can further adjust the shape of the earrings by pressing the half round-flat pliers around the earring, making sure to match the curve of the pliers with the inner curve of the earrings. Doing this will add more tension to your earrings to help them hold their shape.
10: When you are happy with the shape of your hoops, Take the round flat pliers and push the straight ends of the wire around so they sit sideways.
11: Then take your parallel pliers and use them to adjust the straight ends of each earring so that they are centered in the middle of the wiggle to sit evenly in your ears.
12: Once you have adjusted the ends, your earrings are finished and ready to wear. Pop the butterfly backs on to secure them on your lobes.
Here’s how the finished product looks! How will you style yours?
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Got a pair of dangly earrings you aren’t quite in love with? This tutorial shows you how you can swap earring hooks for studs.
I like dramatic earrings, but I don’t love the look of hook earrings, so I prefer my dangly earrings to have stud tops. If you’re like me, the following tutorial will show you how you can swap hooks for studs in a few easy steps. Please note that this tutorial contains affiliate links that may earn this website a commission.
You will need the following tools and materials to transform your hook earrings into dangly studs:
1: A pair of dangly earrings that have hooks. I used these earrings that were given to me as a gift.
You can use any earrings you like that have earring hooks, but here are some similar to the pair pictured:
2: A pair of stud earrings with a hole or jump ring attached to them. Make sure you have earring backs as well.
These are handmade studs, but you can get something similar here:
3: A pair of jump rings.
4: Pliers. I used my flat nose and needle nose pliers.
Follow these steps to transform your dangly earrings:
1: Take a pair of pliers and open up the ring at the bottom of the earring hook on one of your earrings.
2: Remove the hook.
3: Repeat this for the second earring.
4: Take one of the jump rings and add it to the loop at the top of one of the earring charms.
4: Slide the jump ring through the hole at the bottom of the stud earring finding.
5: Close the jump ring using the pliers. Now you will have transformed one of your earrings.
6: Repeat steps four to five for the second earring.
Now you can use your old earring hooks for a new design and you have transformed your drab earrings into something more your style!
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Here’s how you can make your own sterling silver earring hooks that are embellished with gorgeous beads!
I love using pre-made earring hooks, but sometimes I want to add some additional luxe to my earring designs, so I make my own one-of-a-kind earring hooks that are embellished with some special beads. Follow along if you want to learn how to make your own, unique earring hooks out of sterling silver wire. Please note that this tutorial contains affiliate links.
You’ll need the following tools and materials to make this pair of earring hooks:
1: Two pieces of sterling silver wire, about 0.8mm in diameter and 7cm long each. (cut the wire with your cutting pliers).
2: A pair of parallel flat nose pliers, or ordinary flat nose pliers. The parallel pliers makes it easier to grip both earrings at once when you are shaping them.
3: A file and some sandpaper.
Find files here:
Find sandpaper here:
4: Two beads. I used some agate gemstone beads.
5: A pair of round flat pliers for forming the loop at the end of the earring hooks. It is also handy to keep your round nose pliers around as well.
Follow these steps to make your own bespoke earring hooks featuring a beaded embellishment:
1: File the ends of the wires so they are no longer sharp, use the sandpaper afterwards to soften the ends.
2: Use the round flat nose pliers or flat nose pliers to bend the end of each piece of wire to form an angle.
3: Create a loop using the bent part of the wire as a guide. You want to make a loop at the end of each piece of wire.
4: Add a bead to each of the wires
5: Grip each wire between the mouth of the parallel flat nose pliers and bend them at the same points, so they sit at equal lengths. Bending the wire will mean that the bead won’t come off (but be warned, seed bead sized beads can still slide around the corners of this design, the bigger the bead, the less likely it is to fall off your earring hook).
6: Once you have bent your earrings, you can adjust them slightly to form the square top to your liking using your fingers and pliers.
Now your earring hooks are done! They’re ready for some cute dangly charms!
Here’s what they look like with some brass triangle charms on them.
And here are some similar designs I have made using this earring hook technique. These ones feature patinated copper charms, you can learn to patina copper here.
This fun pair of earrings features a rainbow of seed beads and an adorable mushroom charm, you can purchase them here.
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Bohemian Hoop Earrings for Summer… Here’s the tutorial!
Do you rock linen all summer long and want your accessories to match your summer vibe? Here’s the tutorial for you, ribbon wrapped hoops with dangling charms!
You will need the following tools and materials to make your wrapped earrings:
1: Ribbon. I used some beige cotton ribbon.
2: Scissors for cutting the ribbon to length.
3: Two shells with holes in them. I used these shells that I collected myself a while ago.
4: Superglue.
5: Two hoop earrings. I used these small silver hoops with lever backs.
Follow these steps to make your boho wrapped hoop earrings:
1: Add some superglue to one side of the earring and attach the ribbon.
2: Wrap the ribbon tightly around the hoop so that it is fully covered (leave the earring post exposed).
3: Trim the end of the ribbon.
4: Add glue to the other end of the earring to secure the ribbon end in place.
5: Repeat steps 1-4 for the second earring.
6: Add the shells to each earring to finish them off!
Here’s some inspiration for you, some other pairs I made with satin ribbon.
Note: This article contains affiliate links
