How to Make Hoop Earring Clasps

Hoop earrings go through the ear, hiding the clasp behind the earlobe.

Hoop earrings are classic. In one size or another, hoop earrings are always in style. In the '80s the hoops were big enough to touch your shoulders. In the '90s, tiny, understated hoops were popular. Now there are beaded hoops, decorative hoops and simple wire hoops. Regardless of the style, hoop earrings are a classic choice. There are several ways of making clasps for hoop earrings. As long as the clasp closes the earring behind the ear, it is effective. The easiest and most basic of clasps are made from the same wire as the earring itself.

Things You'll Need

• Wire
• Round-nosed pliers
• Wire cutters
• Mandrel or other hard cylinder
• File

Instructions

Making the Hoop

1. Using your fingers, press the wire around your mandrel (or other hard cylinder) to form a circle of wire. Trim wire, leaving a 1/4 inch section on one end and a 1/2-inch section on the other. Repeat this step with a second piece of wire if you are making a pair of earrings, as opposed to a single earring.

2. Using your round-nosed pliers, make a small circle, slightly larger around than your wire, with the longer tail of wire. Wrap the end of the wire around the base of the small circle to hold the loop closed. Take the loop in your pliers and turn it so that the loop is horizontal across the top of the earring. Repeat this step on the second earring.

3. Using your round-nosed pliers, bend the short tail of wire up, away from the earring. This is the piece of wire that will pass through the ear. Repeat for the second earring.

4. Using your file, file the ends of your wire to eliminate any sharp points.

5. 

   Hoop earrings make a great accessory to complete any outfit.

   Bend the hoops so that the bent end of the wire passes into the loop to hold the earring in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the gauge of your wire prior to starting to make sure that the wire will fit through your earring holes.

• Add any decorative elements such as extra wire or beads before bending the short end of the wire to dress up your earrings.

• Wire cutters are very sharp and very strong, so use them carefully.

• Take care when filing the ends of the wire; sharp ends can cut skin easily.

References

• none