Oval Hoop Chandelier Earrings

I love hoop earrings! They never go out of style and you can make them in different sizes and shapes as well as hang them into a long chandelier that is stunning. Learning to make hoop earrings is so simple and is absolutely necessary to any wire jewelry artist as far as I am concerned. It open up a huge world of possibilities in your work. These chandeliers are easy to make and so much fun to wear, so let's get started!

Tools

1. Round nose pliers
2. Chain nose pliers
3. Cutters
4. Emery board
5. Pen w/cap
6. ⅝” Dowel

Materials

1. 18-16 gauge wire 6”
2. 20 gauge wire 13”
3. 8  2-4mm beads
4. 2  6mm beads (can use 2-4mm beads if you wish)

 Use Hoop Frames

1. Cut two pieces 2 3/4” pieces of 18 or 16 gauge wire and smooth ends (Use 2 7/8"- 3" of wire for round hoops or longer teardrops) Also the thicker the wire gauge the longer the wire should be.
2. ​Mark the center of the wire
3. Wrap each  wire around the ⅝” dowel to create a teardrop shape (if you are doing a circle hoop wrap the wire around and where they meet create a sharp right angle on both away from the dowel)
4. Create a small open loop on one side only of each hoop
5. Hammer the  large hoop now if you wish to for added strength. Only hammer the large hoop not the small one.

Drops

1. Cut 2 pcs of 20 gauge wire 1 3/8” long file ends (center beads)
2. Cut 4 pcs of 20 gauge wire 1 1/8” long file ends (outside center)
3. Cut 4 pcs of 20 gauge wire 1” long file ends (complete outside)
4. Make a very small centered open loop on one end only on all 10 pieces of wire

1. Slide on the beads for each wire (remember the longest ones are the center beads, then the medium ones on either side of the center and the shortest on the outside of those one)
2. Make a centered open loop above the beads on each wire to secure the bead (this is the top of the drop)

Create a pair of forward facing fishhook earwires using the directions in this link.

Assembly

1. Place one short, medium then long, medium and bead drop onto each hoop
2. Create closed loop on other side of the hoops
3. Pinch loops together till they meet at the top
4. Make a bend outward just under the loops 
   

1. With Flat nose pliers pinch the two hoop loops together (Feel free to use the dowel again  to make the loops flush and re-shape the hoops)
   
2. Make any needed adjustments so the loops lay flat and parallel to each other
3. Now open the earwire and place on the earring, close up loop