Make Some Simple Earrings!

Hey Crafty Makers!

Earrings: the MVP of the jewelry world. Seriously—surveys say they’re the most-bought accessory out there.

Why? Well, I’ve got some unscientific guesses:

• They're easy on the wallet

• They instantly jazz up whatever you're wearing

• They show up loud and proud in the mirror (hello, instant face-framing fabulousness)

• And sometimes, life just needs a new pair—post-haircut, new outfit, random Tuesday… you get it!

The good news? You don’t need a shopping spree to get that earring high. With just a few basic tools and  supplies, you can DIY your way to earring heaven. Let’s dive in.

Tools You'll Need

Making earrings doesn’t require a ton of tools—just a few basics to get started. Here’s what I recommend:

• Chain nose pliers – great for gripping and opening/closing jump rings and loops

• Round nose pliers – essential for creating loops in your wire.

• Flush cutters – to cleanly trim excess wire.

If you find yourself getting hooked (pun totally intended), you might want to upgrade your toolkit:

• Bent nose pliers – the angled tip gives you a little more flexibility when working in tight spaces.

• Wire looping pliers – these help you make consistent loops with less guesswork.

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Supplies You'll Need

Now let’s talk materials. Here’s what you’ll want on hand.  Here is a picture of my supplies for a simple pair of earrings.:

• Headpins or ballpins – choose based on the finish you want at the end of your bead. - remember you need two (one for each earring).

• Beads – any size or color you love! Play around with combinations to see what feels most “you.” 

• Spacers – these can be tiny beads, “O” beads, or standard metal spacers to add interest and separation between beads.

💡 Tip: While mixed metal jewelry is definitely on trend, beginners may find it easier to stick with a single metal tone at first—it keeps things looking cohesive and is easier to match with findings.

Here’s a supply layout using silver findings and semi-precios gemstone beads to inspire your own combinations.

Learning the Basics

To bring it all together, you’ll want to learn how to make a couple of simple wire loops. Each type changes the look slightly:

• Simple loops – clean and straightforward.

• Wrapped loops – a bit more decorative and secure, but also add more length to your design.

👉 I’ve linked a few beginner-friendly YouTube videos below that walk you through both methods.  Note, these are not my videos, but I chose these because the instruction is simple - and I don't have a YouTube channel!

Video Perfect wire wrapped loop:

Video Perfect simple loop: 

And finally, don’t forget to learn how to properly attach your earwires. It’s a small step, but a key one! (Hint: open the loop sideways, not outward, so the shape stays intact.)

Video Attach an earwire to a charm (your bead unit!)

You can build your earring in the following order:  

• Put the largest bead on the headpin or ballpin first
• Put the spacer on next
• Top the spacer with a smaller bead
• Create the loop you desire (simple or wrapped)
• Add an earwire
• Viola! Earrings MADE!

If you are striving for perfection in your loops, here is a beyond-the-basics video for some professional tips.

Video Secrets to Perfect Loops  - This technique demonstrated with wire, but it works for headpins and ball pins, too.

Here is a picture of the finished earrings (from the supplies pictures) with a wrapped loop!

That’s it—you're ready to start creating! Earrings are a fun and quick way to experiment with design, and before you know it, you might be making pairs to match every outfit. 😊