Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Filing, Finishing, Texturing, . My daughter gets more compliments on these simple gold-filled elegant thin hoop earrings than any I have ever made for her.
Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Texturing, General Education
  • Skill Level: Beginner
My daughter gets more compliments on these simple gold-filled elegant thin hoop earrings than any I have ever made for her. They are a breeze to make and are great gifts.
Earring Diameter: Small: 7/8" Medium: 1½" Large: 1-7/8"

Full hard wire is best to use for this project because the earrings are constantly pulled open a bit to put on. Softer wires would not spring back into the original shape and can bend out of shape more easily. If full hard wire is not available, twist softer wires to make them harder.

Less than three feet of wire will make all three pair!

Materials

20 Gauge Round Full Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-20FH
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $29.98
  • Gold Club Price: $22.49
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Tools

C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
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Steel Hoop Mandrel
MAN-214.00
  • MAN-214.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $28.97
  • Gold Club Price: $21.73
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6 Inch Heavy Duty Flat Nose Pliers with Narrow Jaws
G2-96
  • G2-96
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.97
  • Gold Club Price: $7.48
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Steel and Rubber Bench Block 4x4 Inches
G17-44
  • G17-44
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand
HAM-520.70
  • HAM-520.70
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $140.54
  • Gold Club Price: $105.40
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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1
G3-26
  • G3-26
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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Instructions
Step 1
Flush cut both ends of two pieces of 20 gauge round full hard wire the length desired. The wires will be fully straightened in Step 6.

Small: 3½" Medium: 5¼" Large: 6½"
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 2
Use the smallest step on the 6 step barrel pliers to make an eye loop on one end of each wire. Round nose pliers will also work, just make sure the loop sizes are consistent.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 3
Use the tips of round nose pliers to bend each loop back to center it at the end of each wire. The very tip of a chain nose pliers well also work. The bend needs to be quite sharp, but still a bit round. Use flat nose pliers to close the loop if it opens during this process.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 4
Use an ultra fine point Sharpie to mark ½" in from the other end of each wire.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 5
Smooth the cut ends with a cup bur and a fine sanding pad (1500 to 2400 grit).
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 6
Since full hard wire is hard to straighten right off the coil, it is easiest to do it now that the wire is cut in short lengths.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 7
Hold one wire loop flat in a bench block. Using the rounded side of a Mini TruStrike Planishing Hammer, texture the length of the wire to the ½" mark. If the wire is too long for the block, place something of similar height next to it so the eye loop can be held flat the full time the wire is being textured.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 8
With the textured side out and the eye flat against the mandrel, wrap the wire around the mandrel. Since hammered full hard wire is VERY springy, wrap the wire on a section of the mandrel where the wire will wrap around two times. Use the rubber or plastic hammer to help round the wire until the ends of the wire overlap about one inch or so.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 9
Use flat nose pliers to bend the eye loops up at a 90 degree angle.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 10
Insert the wire end into the loop on each earring. Place an earring on a bench block. Make sure the loop is hanging over the block edge while using the rounded side of a Mini TruStrike Planishing Hammer to gently texture each side or the earring. This may round the earring out to the point where the Sharpie mark is even with the loop. If not, stretch the earring out on the mandrel until the line is even with the loop.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 11
If an earring is no longer round, place it on the mandrel and use the small plastic or rubber mallet to gently hammer it back into shape. Since hammering will expand the circle, squeeze the earring into a smaller circle on the mandrel for hammering. Adjust the earring up or down the mandrel as needed.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Step 12
Soak a piece of tissue or cotton ball with alcohol. Rub this on the Sharpie mark to remove it.
After I wrote up directions for my daughter's earrings, I made myself a pair, but wrapped them in scrap bezel wire and scrap balled end wire.
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings
Judy Larson's Kat's Wire Hoop Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, , kat's wire hoop earrings