·         Materials

Beads

2 head pins (plus extras for practice)

2 ear wires (or another type of earring findings; choose a type with a loop for

attaching the dangle)

·         Tools

Round-nose pliers

Tape measures

Wire cutters

Needle-nose pliers (optional)

Flat-nose pliers (optional)

• Basic Instructions

 1. Using Head Pins                                          

A wire pin with a flat head at the buttom.  These pins come in various lengths and diameters.  For this project choose the head pins with a thicker diameter and make sure the head pins are long enough to leave at least 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm (1/4 inch to 5/16 inch) of wire to form a loop after you put the beads on.

 2. Beading

Arrange your beads on a head pins as shown on the picture.  You can experiment by adding colorful beads, spacers, metal beads to achieve a different look.  Metal beads or spacers are used to break up the colorful beads to add different look or design.

 3.  Start a loop

Position the round-nose pliers on the wire as close as possible to the beads.  Using a pair of flat nose pliers, bend the head pins to a 90º.  Cut the excess wire, leaving 1/4 inch to finish the loop.     

4. Finish loop

Using your round-nose plier bend the end of head pin over to complete the loop.  The end of the wire should just reach the spot where the wire emerges from the top beads.  Once you're satisfied with the loop, attach the dangle to your earring findings.   Most earring findings has a loop, open the finding loop by twisting the end of the wire sideways.  (Don't pull it outward or the wire will weaken and the loop will lose its round shape) Insert the dangle loop into the findings and close the finding loop.

5. Repeat these steps to make the second earrings.

Now you've made a beautiful, inexpensive pair of earrings and you learned the art of making simple loop.  Check with us often for more variation or style.