Beaded Hoop Earrings
Designed by Katie Hacker

Add a touch of hand-beaded style to any hoop earrings with this quick and easy technique!

You'll need: hoop earrings; 3g #DB48 Miyuki Delica Beads; 24-gauge non-tarnish silver Artistic Wir; chain-nose pliers; wire cutters

Tip: Use a bead mat to cushion your hands, prevent your beads from rolling and – bonus! – most of the seed beads will land hole-side-up on the mat to make stringing quick and easy.

1. Cut a 24" length of 24-gauge wire.

2. Coil the wire tightly several times around the back of the hoop earring to anchor it.

3. Use the wire end to pick up a couple of inches of seeds.

4. Gently coil the wire around the earring. Light tension is the key here: allow the beads to position themselves to cover the wire rather than forcing them.

5. Cover the earring hoop with seeds, then coil the wire end around the hoop to secure it.

6. Use chain-nose pliers to press the wire ends tightly against the hoop.

7. Repeat Steps 1-6 to make a matching earring.

To create this look: Use #DB48 Miyuki Delica Beads with non-tarnish silver 24-gauge Artistic Wire to make a beaded coil. Cover half of the hoop. Pull the ends away from each other to separate the coil. Use chain-nose pliers to press the wire ends firmly against the earring to hold them in place.

Add more texture with #LMA191FR Miyuki Long Magatama Beads: Load the special, dagger-shaped beads onto the wire facing in the same direction. As you coil the wire around the hoop, the beads will fan out.


For more earring ideas, check out Earrings 101
(Hot Off The Press 2012) available at your favorite bead shop, craft store or KatieHacker.com.