Forming a Basic Loop – Jewelry DIY

A basic loop is probably one of the most common way to attach beads, charms, pendants, etc to your jewelry pieces.

This was the first technique I learned when I started my first jewelry adventure. I had bought one of those kits from JoAnn’s to get started, and taught myself how to form a loop and made about a million pairs of earrings. Hehe. Well not quite that many, but with this one technique, you can set out for your million.

One thing that is a little difficult to get just right when forming loops, is getting close enough to avoid the space that sometimes forms between your loop and bead. It just takes practice! I suggest purchasing a bag of head pins or eye pins and some beads that you like from your local craft store, and then sit down to practice. While you are practicing, you can use the “charms” you will create to put together a charm bracelet, or some earrings. You will get some practice in, and create some new jewelry pieces too!

Materials I Used:

– 26mm 1″ 20 Gauge Antique Brass Eye Pins (CanterburyLane)
– 8mm Glass Faceted Beads in Emerald (CanterburyLane)
– Round Nose Pliers (found in Jewelry department of your local craft store)
– Wire Cutters (found in the Jewelry or Floral department)

Materials Notes:
The materials that I chose were for a project I was working on. I don’t suggest using these eye pins to practice on as they are really tough to manipulate. They are great quality eye pins, but I don’t recommend for beginning.
To practice on, you can use some 2″ long Head Pins, such as the Gold Tone Head Pins by Darice found at JoAnns. Not only will you get practice forming your loops, but you will also get practice cutting down your wire to the right size.
*If you are allergic – you will want to seek out some Surgical Steel wire.

Tutorial:

To Create a Basic Loop:

Cut down the eye pin using the wire cutters. Make sure the flush side (flat side of the cutters) is facing the part of the eye pin that will remain.

The bigger you make your loop, the more space you will need to leave when cutting the eye pin. Vice versa for smaller.

Since the existing loop on the eye pin I used was small, I made my loop to match. For this, I cut off 5/16th of an inch. This is just over 1.25″.

This will also vary on the size of the bead you are using, so you will want to string your bead on first to get an idea.

Re-string the bead on the eye pin.

The loop will be created around the round nose pliers, so settle on a place. You may want to mark it with a marker – will come off later with rubbing alcohol – so that the loops are consistent.

Keep in mind, the closer to the edge, the smaller the loop will be and vice versa.

After your pliers are set in place, bend the wire around the pliers at a 90 degree angle.

Reposition your pliers by turning 90 degrees to the right. Your pliers should be on top of the wire at the corner.

Pull the wire over the loop of the pliers to form the actual loop.

You will end up with something like the second photo on the top.

Use your wire cutters to trim the remaining wire, and then replace your round nose pliers to finish forming the loop.

Your finished loop should look something like the last photo on the bottom.

*NOTE: I messed up on this one, and made mine with too much space. You can see it on top of the bead. I redid it to photograph the main photo, found below, and measured how much I cut off. The correct measurement has been put in this tutorial.

And you’re done!

What will you be making with yours?

How was this tutorial? Your feedback is appreciated! And what helps me grow. Please comment below, or send an email to [email protected]

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