I decided this design was simple enough to do with just pictures. It is to make the frames for the copper moonstone earrings I made last week.
The wire that I used to make the 'loop' part is a small skewer that is used to sew turkeys closed at Thanksgiving - but any smooth, straight, rigid item of the appropriate size will work.
You will also see one of the mandrels that I purchase from the hardware store pipe section. I like to have these in a variety of sizes since they are lighter to take with me than my steel ring mandrel. Anything round of the right size will work. My pipe fitting is 3/4" inside diameter so it makes 1" hoops.
Last, but not least, the earring frame is 20g wire and the wraps are 24g, but I think there is room to change it a little.
I hope you enjoy it! I found this design really simple and fun to make. There is also more information, if you scroll to earlier posts - about work hardening and tumbling these (which help alot!)
I recommend you mouse over the picture, right click on the picture and select open in new tab. Then you can zoom in on the picture by clicking on it. This worked for me with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome browsers.
What a great little tutorial. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa. Gives me some confidence to try it again!
DeleteI like it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and checking it out.
DeleteLooks great to me!! Keep up the good work girl!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, I love your choice of tools! You think out of the box. Very cute earrings! Take care - Claire
ReplyDeleteHi Claire!! I miss you! Lucy and Rayna want to have a SWAT reunion because they miss everyone too! Thanks for your comments!
DeleteNice, simple tutorial. You wrote "you will also see one of the mandrels," yet the mandrel isn't there. It would be nice to show your mandrels and a picture of you wrapping the hoop around the mandrel.
ReplyDeleteI would also suggest you hyperlink the following to your earlier posts:
* copper moonstone earrings
* work hardening
* tumbling
That will make it easier for your readers and interlink these articles for the search engines.
The mandrel I use is that little piece of PVC pipe. I wish the picture of me wrapping it around came out. It was blurry - so I decided to leave it out rather than try and re-shoot it later. Thanks for the suggestions on hyperlinking! Always a good thing to make it easy to find related articles!
DeleteFound you in WWJ's email -- I love brainy techniques like using the skewer to make the loops. I would have been fiddling for hours with my pliers. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah -- AND I would have tried to do the wrapping after I'd made the hoops, not from flat.
ReplyDeleteYeah - I've tried doing it that way too. This is soooo much easier!!
DeleteThank you for the pics and info. I like the hoop earrings. I never would thought about going to the hardware store for pieces of the PVC pipe to use as a mandrel. Did they give you any problems about getting small pieces? Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThe pieces that I buy to use as mandrels are pipe connectors. They are pre-cut and you can find them in the sprinkler plumbing aisle. They are very inexpensive - about .39 each, so you can afford to buy several sizes. I find that they will create a hoop about 1/4" larger than the diameter size that they are listed at.
DeleteGreat tut, Lisa! I think I have some little labradorite drops that would be super cute with this design. I'll be sure to share a pic if they turn out!
ReplyDeleteI would have been fiddling for hours with my pliers. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLisa this is such a perfect way to make hoop earrings. I always add my loop/closure "after the fact" which makes it more difficult. I would have never thought to make it before. Now I know better! Thanks for all of your wonderful tutorials!
ReplyDeleteLauretta
This was a blast from the past! Glad it was helpful. I think I may have to revisit this one myself. It has a lot of promise for other options.
Delete