A Journey in Creating Hoop Earrings
I've been playing around with the idea of recreating "The Hoop" earrings. Sounds crazy when you say it out loud, doesn't it? I mean the "The Hoop" earrings is an iconic piece of jewelry worn throughout history, in every culture around the world. So.... Easy right? Gah!
Who says that "The Hoop" has to be round? And that is the concept that I wanted to explore.
Who says that "The Hoop" has to be round? And that is the concept that I wanted to explore.
What I really wanted to do was see how many different shapes of earrings I could make with just one piece of wire and a few tools.
Sample earrings, not finished and sellable designs. Better known as the design concept. My concept started out with doodling.
Sample earrings, not finished and sellable designs. Better known as the design concept. My concept started out with doodling.
And since I couldn't wait to get started, I brought my little makers kit with me to the dealership while I was getting my oil changed.
I don't know about you but I am not very patient while waiting.
I can only be on my phone for so long (total lie) but I like to keep myself busy.
With my notebook open and pieces of wire cut, I got started.
I don't know about you but I am not very patient while waiting.
I can only be on my phone for so long (total lie) but I like to keep myself busy.
With my notebook open and pieces of wire cut, I got started.
One important part of making hoops, no matter what shape, is that the form is uniform and repeatable.
Making two earrings at one time will increase your chances of making them uniform.
Making two earrings at one time will increase your chances of making them uniform.
Before I knew it, I had made 6 concept pairs of earrings, all with 20g bronze wire, done in the space of about an hour.
I deliberately chose wire that was half hard by nature.
Bronze is stiff enough to hold shape, yet still malleable.
Perfect for trial and error.
I deliberately chose wire that was half hard by nature.
Bronze is stiff enough to hold shape, yet still malleable.
Perfect for trial and error.
From these designs, I have a solid base on where I can go next.
I will definitely be making more "hoop" earrings. Check out my "Reproducing Designs Tips", a great companion piece of part of the design process.
Now is the "what comes next?" Well, we will explore that in the next article, "Embellishing Basic Shapes". What can you do with a few tools, wire and some time on your hands?
I will definitely be making more "hoop" earrings. Check out my "Reproducing Designs Tips", a great companion piece of part of the design process.
Now is the "what comes next?" Well, we will explore that in the next article, "Embellishing Basic Shapes". What can you do with a few tools, wire and some time on your hands?
Materials
20 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Red Brass Wire
H3-20HRH
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $0.35
- Gold Club Price: $0.26
Wide Variety of 20 Gauge wire to choose from for practice or final designs
Tools
Premium Wire Jewelry Tool Kit
Y4-1
- Y4-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $99.97
- Gold Club Price: $74.98
20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat
MAT-620.00
- MAT-620.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $14.95
- Gold Club Price: $11.21
Supply Detail
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- Category: Design
- Technique(s): Design
Susan LeGuyader
Other Articles by Susan LeGuyader
The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires
Sealing and Protecting Your Work
Not Just a Concept
An Adventure in Water Casting
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