DIY Plain Thin Round Wire Hoop Earrings

These instructions to make your own simple wire hoops are going to be an absolute favorite. You can make small huggie style wire hoops as well as dramatic larger thin wire hoops. 

And these hoops can be embellished with removable beaded headpin style drops or decorated by wrapping with wire and beads. It's all up to you.  

*I will be adding a video tutorial to this post soon - so check back if you find that helpful.

To get started making your own wire hoop earrings, you will need the following materials:
(the links in this section are affiliate links to Amazon. If you make a purchase, they give me some change at no cost to you)

• 20 gauge wire, I like ParaWire
• round nose pliers - I am using 6 step bail making pliers
• a mandrel to shape the wire hoop - I am using BeadSmith big wrapping pliers
• chain nose pliers - I like Lindstrom RX7490 RX Flat Nose Plier
• wire cutters - from Harbor Freight (very economical)
• files or emery boards (from the dollar store, also budget friendly)
• steel bench block (optional)
• hammer for jewelry making (optional)

I like to make my wire hoops by working directly off the spool of wire. I just find there is less waste that way. Straighten the end of the wire, and make an open loop on the end.

I like to leave my loop open so it is easy to hook the earring closed, but you can also make a regular centered loop and cut off a piece later if you want to.

Place the wire loop on the mandrel, and pressing the wire against the shape, wrap one full turn around. 

With the 3 barrel pliers, I hold the wire in the jaws and press the wire around the barrel.

Trim the wire where it overlaps with the base of the loop.

If you have a steel bench block and hammer, it will help the earring keep the round shape better if you hammer around the curve to work harden the wire. 

You can also choose to flatten the hoops to make them more decorative or give you an edge to wrap wire to. Since I am using craft wire, I hammer gently to avoid scratching the wire coating.

After hammering, I recommend putting the wire back on the mandrel and making sure the shape is still round. Hammering has a way of tweaking the shape a little.

I like to push the cut wire on the side away from the loop opening. Then I file the end smooth using a rough grit nail file and working my way to smoother buffing nail files. Use the chain nose pliers to bend the edge of the wire up about 90 degrees.

As I mentioned earlier, I like to make a catch for the wire end rather than a closed loop. I trim the loop so it is only 3/4 closed.

I have found one of the most important factors for the hoops keeping their round shape is to not pull the front of hoop away from the back to open it. Rather I open mine the same way I open jump rings, by twisting the two sides apart. If you put on the earrings by twisting the wire way from the loop opening, after you put the earrings on, there will be enough tension in the wire to keep them latched closed.

I like to add simple bead dangles to these hoops or use the small ones instead of hook ear wires.

If you are adding spacer beads to the wire hoop, add them before you bend the wire that goes through your ear. Some beads won't be able to go over the bend in the wire.

And here's a selfie of me enjoying my new petite wire hoop earrings with white freshwater pearl dangles.  

The best part of these wire hoops is that I think they will be earrings that you can leave in and forget about them. I usually take off all my jewelry (except bracelets) every night. Might be nice just to leave some in once in a while.