Beading for Beginners Jewelry Making
Wire Jewelry Technique

Learn beading for beginners beading basics... How to Make Simple, or Plain, Wire Loops. Then, learn how to make hoop earrings!

Beginner Wire Jewelry Technique

Plain wire loops are a basic beginner wire jewelry making technique. Its used in bead stringing projects too.

Plain wire loops are mostly used to make dangles that hang from earring findings. But you can also use them to connect bead units to make beaded bracelets or beaded necklaces.

Follow these simple step-by-step jewelry making instructions. You'll make perfect wire loops every time and fabulous earrings!

Remember, when cutting wire to wear safety glasses. You don't want a snip of wire getting in an eye!

We'll use two Beading for Beginners lessons to learn two different ways to make simple wire loops.

How to Make Wire Loops!

Method #1: How to Make Simple or Plain Wire Loops Using a Head Pin
Method #2: How to Make Simple or Plain Wire Loops Using Wire

Method #1: How to Make Simple or
Plain Wire Loops Using a Head Pin

Jewelry Making Supplies

head pins (or eye pins)
a few beads with top to bottom drilled holes
fine point felt tip marker
safety glasses

Jewelry Making Tools

one pair round nose pliers
one pair chain nose pliers
wire Cutters

Beginner Jewelry Making Instructions

1. Use a fine point marker and mark the jaws of your round nose pliers at about 3/8" (about 5 mm) (or other measurement) from their tip. This will help you to make consistent size wire loops.

2. Thread a bead onto a head pin or eye pin. Make sure there's about a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) length of wire above the bead.

3. Using your fingers or the chainnose pliers, bend the top of the head pin or eye pin at a right angle.

4. With your dominant hand, pick up the round nose pliers. Grasp one end of the wire between the pliers' jaws at the mark you made in step 1. Make sure that the wire is flush or even with the pliers' jaws. This will help to keep the loop round.

5. Rotate the pliers toward the bend of the wire, making a half loop.

6. Reposition the pliers in the loop and continue to rotate the wire to form a centered circle above the bead.

7. Use the chainnose pliers to close the loop.

To reopen and close a plain wire loop, use the same technique we used in the Beading for Beginners lesson, How to Open and Close Jump Rings. Simply use your fingers and one pair of pliers.

Now let's learn how to make hoop earrings!

Top of How to Make Wire Loops

OR...

Let's learn another beading for beginners method for making a plain wire loop.

Method #2: How to Make Simple or
Plain Wire Loops Using Wire

Tutorial Category: Making Wire Jewelry Tutorials

Skill Level: Beginning Beading

Jewelry Making Supplies

20 gauge (.81 mm) round wire (for practice use brass or copper wire)
a few beads with top to bottom drilled holes
fine point felt tip marker
safety glasses

Jewelry Making Tools

one pair round nose pliers
one pair chain nose pliers
wire Cutters

Beginner Jewelry Making Instructions

1. Gather supplies and tools.

2. Use a fine point marker and mark the jaws of your round nose pliers at about 3/8" (about 5 mm) (or other measurement) from their tip. This will help you to make consistent size wire loops.

3. Cut a piece of wire about 2 1/4 times the length (hole to hole) of your bead.

With your dominant hand, pick up the round nose pliers. Grasp one end of the wire between the pliers' jaws at the mark you made in step 2. Make sure that the wire is flush or even with the top of the pliers' jaws. This will help to keep the loop round.

4. Rotate the pliers away from you, making a half loop.

Adjust the pliers so that you can rotate them again to make an entire loop. The loop now looks like the letter "P".