"Crazy" Hoop Earrings

Skill Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Technique: Wire wrapped loops, twisting wire

The purple Crazy Lace Agate beads are reminiscent of purple turquoise so it was not a stretch to add blue turquoise and coral to them for a Southwest flair. The best part about this design is that all the wire is cut to just 3" so you can use up all those short pieces leftover from other projects! Of course, if your wires are a bit longer, that is fine, too.

Materials

• 18-gauge square dead soft wire, 6"
• 22-gauge round dead soft wire, 12"
• Four Crazy Lace Agate 6mm rondelles
• Four 5mm round turquoise beads
• Four 4mm round coral beads
• Four 3x5mm silver saucer beads
• Four 3mm round silver beads
• Four 2.5mm round silver beads - see step 6
• 1 pair ear wires

Tools

• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Flush cutter
• 3/4" mandrel
• Automatic Wire Twister
• Rawhide mallet and bench block
• Ruler

Instructions

Note: It is important to read through the directions before starting.

1. Hint: Make both the outer rope sections at the same time to make sure they match.
   
   To make the outer "rope" section, straighten, cut and twist a section of 18-gauge square wire. Cut two 3" pieces.
   
   
   
   
2. Use the tips of a round nose pliers to make a small loop on each end of the twisted 18-gauge square wire. Both loops should be formed in the same direction. Shape the wire around a 3/4" mandrel as shown.
   
   
3. Lightly hammer the circle. Try not to hammer so much that the twist lines disappear. When you are
   done hammering the piece (hammered and un-hammered shown), carefully push the wire ends together so one loop is on top of the other. Repeat for the other component.
   
   
   Steps 4-7 are directions are for one earring. Repeat the steps for the second earring.
   
   
4. Straighten and cut a 3" piece of 22-gauge round wire. Thread the beads on in the order shown.
   
   
   
5. Center the beads on the wire. Bend the wire ends together.
   
   
6. Tightly twist the two wire ends together. Be careful to not twist too tightly or you will break the wire.
   Bend the bead section into a more rounded shape.
   
   Hint: Small gemstone beads are not all perfectly calibrated, so before twisting the wire, check to make sure that your bead circle will not be too large for the rope border. If it is too large, you can remove the two outer 2.5mm beads.
   
   
7. Trim the twisted wire to a scant 7/16" beyond the circle of beads. Use round nose pliers to make an eye loop with the twisted wire.
   
   
8. Open the eye on the bead section and insert it through the loops of the twisted rope section. Close the eye.
   
   
9. Straighten and cut a 3" piece of 22-gauge round wire. Fold it in half. Thread it through the loops of the twisted rope section. Tightly twist the wires together. Be careful to not twist too tightly or you will break the wire.
   
   
   
10. Slide a purple Crazy Lace Agate rondelle bead on the twisted wire. Make a wire wrapped loop above the bead.
    
    
11. Attach ear wires.
    
    
    

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