How to Make Hoop Earrings with Beads & Put Them On (+ Video)

These beaded hoop earrings are a simple way to learn how to make hoop earrings, and they are also the easy hoop pair in my Handmade Earring Wardrobe series.

If you have basic jewelry pliers, thin beading wire, and a few small beads, you can finish this pair in one sitting. The pattern repeats in a steady rhythm, so it is a comfortable project for beginners who want a wearable result without committing to a long build.

This pair is also budget-friendly. You can make one set for about $2 in supplies, and I included extra help for wearing hoop earrings comfortably once your pair is done.

Beaded Hoop Earrings at a Glance

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Time: 25-30 minutes
• Cost: About $2 per pair
• Ages: Teens and adults
• Best for: Everyday jewelry, quick gifts, and practicing simple wire beading

What You Need to Make Beaded Hoop Earrings

Materials

• 2 hoop earring bases, one for each earring. Choose a firm base that keeps its shape while you wrap wire around it.
• 26-28 gauge beading wire, because thin wire coils neatly and still holds small beads in place.
• Small round beads, about 5-7.5 mm, because lighter beads are easier to balance on a hoop and less likely to drag it down.

Tools

• Round-nose, flat-nose, and cutting pliers, to start the coil, press the wire flat, and trim the tail cleanly.
• Scissors, if your wire comes on a card and you need to free a short working length before measuring.

How to Make Beaded Hoop Earrings

Step 1: Coil the Wire Around the Hoop Base

Start at the closed end of one hoop base and wrap the beading wire around it four tight times. Keep each loop snug against the last one so the wire does not wander across the hoop.

Leave yourself enough working wire for the beaded section before you cut it from the bundle. For a 4 cm hoop, about 12 inches of wire is enough for the opening coil, the bead wraps, and the finishing coil.

Step 2: Thread the First Beads

Slide your first bead cluster onto the open wire end. Two to four beads work well here, and a simple small-medium-small order keeps the hoop balanced if you are mixing sizes.

Step 3: Slide the Beads Into Place

Push the beads all the way down until they sit against the opening coil. Keep the wire traveling in the same direction around the hoop after the beads, otherwise the wraps will look twisted instead of even.

Step 4: Lock the Beads With a Tight Coil

Wrap the wire around the hoop two or three times to lock that bead section in place. These coils do the holding work, so press them in tightly while the wire is still easy to control.

Step 5: Add the Next Bead Cluster

Repeat the same bead-and-coil pattern for the next section. This is the point where the design starts to show, so pause after each cluster and make sure the spacing still feels even.

Step 6: Fill the Hoop Without Blocking the Clasp

Keep building bead clusters until the front of the hoop looks full, but stop before you cover the opening end. Leaving about 1 inch clear makes the earring much easier to open, close, and wear.

Step 7: Finish With an End Coil

Once you like the bead coverage, wrap the remaining wire around the hoop four or more times to finish the far end. Match the tightness of the first coil so both sides of the design look intentional.

Step 8: Flatten the Wire Tail Neatly

Trim away any extra wire, then use flat-nose pliers to press the tail flat against the hoop. Run a fingertip over the coil before you move on. If anything feels scratchy, squeeze it down again until it feels smooth.

Step 9: Make the Second Earring to Match

Repeat the same sequence for the second hoop so the pair feels balanced together. You do not need every bead to land in the exact same spot, but keeping the number of wrapped sections and the overall spacing similar will give you a polished finish.

Tips for Beaded Hoop Earrings

• Cut only an arm’s length of wire at a time so it does not kink while you work.
• Test one bead on the wire before you start the full pair, especially if you are mixing bead brands.
• Finish one earring completely before you start the second, because it is easier to copy a finished sample than a plan in your head.
• If the hoops feel heavy, switch to smaller beads before you reduce the hoop size.

How to Put on Hoop Earrings More Easily

If hoop earrings usually slow you down, these habits make them easier to wear without bending the wire out of shape.

• Open the hoop before you lift it to your ear so you know exactly which side clicks shut.
• Use a mirror and guide the thin end through from the front instead of reaching from the side.
• Keep the un-beaded section clear when you make the earrings, because that open space is what makes the pair comfortable to fasten.
• Wipe the hoop clean before wearing it, and add a tiny dab of balm to the wire end if your ears are feeling sensitive.
• Close the hoop as soon as the tip comes through so the wire does not twist while you are still holding it.

Video Tutorial: Beaded Hoop Earrings

Frequently Asked Questions

What wire works best for beaded hoop earrings?

26 to 28 gauge beading wire works best for this project. It is thin enough to wrap neatly around the hoop base but still strong enough to hold small beads without springing open. If your wire feels stiff and bulky, go one gauge thinner before you try again.

How much of the hoop should I leave un-beaded?

Leave about 1 inch of the hoop un-beaded so the earring can still open and close comfortably. On a 4 cm hoop, that usually means adding bead clusters until the front arc looks full, then stopping before the clasp area. The earrings will wear better when that opening stays clear.

Why is my wire sliding around the hoop?

The wire usually slides when the starting coil or locking coil is too loose. Wrap each coil snugly, keep the loops pressed beside each other, and flatten the tail with pliers if it lifts. If a section shifts, rewind it before you add more beads so the rest of the pattern stays tidy.

Do both earrings need the exact same bead pattern?

No, they do not have to match bead for bead, but they should feel balanced as a pair. If you want a polished look, repeat the same bead sizes and keep the number of wrapped sections the same on both hoops. If you like a more playful finish, vary the colors while keeping the overall weight similar.

Can I mix different bead sizes on one hoop?

Yes, you can mix bead sizes on one hoop as long as the design still feels light and even. Keep the larger beads near the center or repeat them in a simple order so one side does not look heavier than the other. If this is your first pair, start with one bead size and change only the colors.

More Earring Tutorials

• 2 Complete How to Make Earrings Tutorials for Beginners
• How to Make Stud Earrings with Wire and Beads
• How to Make Tassel Earrings Like a Pro
• How to Make Leather Earrings
• How to Make Clay Earrings at Home
• How to Make Macrame Earrings

Made your pair or planning a variation? Join Craftaholic Community and share your version there so we can talk bead choices, hoop sizes, and the little fixes that make the second pair even better.