Beading Hoops
From LoveToKnow Crafts
Beading hoops are one of the most basic pieces involved in the jewelry-making craft. Beading hoops are small metal wires pre-bent to allow the jewelry-maker to put beads on them. The type and size of the hoop you will need depend in large part on your plans for the hoops and how experienced you are at your craft.
Selecting a Beading Hoop
When choosing a beading hoop, consider the size, metal, and clasp.
Size
The size of this type of wire is described in terms of the “gauge.” A larger number indicates a slightly thicker wire, and this thickness makes the wire less pliable. The flexibility of the wire can be useful if your designs require the beading hoops to stay in a precise location.
Metal
Most beading hoops are some type of silver-coated metal. This type of metal works well in most cases, though you may want to coat it with a clear nail polish to reduce allergic reactions. You also can find these hoops in copper and other metal alloys. These hoops are more expensive, but they tend to hold up better over time and work for higher-end projects.
Clasp
Many of the hoops have a slip clasp. One end is larger and will slide into the other one. This type of clasp gives the appearance of a never-ending loop. It has aesthetic appeal but can be tough to put together.
The other classic type of clasp for beading hoops has a slightly thicker piece of metal with a small hole. The crafter simply needs a pair of crafting pliers. After you put the jewelry together, you will need to bend up the end of the hoop without the hole and then insert that tip into the hole to close the jewelry. With the pliability of the clasp, you can get these hoops open and closed easily.
Projects With Beading Hoops
Earrings and wine charms are popular projects for using hoops.
Earrings
The most common project for this jewelry foundation piece is the earring. The hoops lend themselves to all types of designs. The most basic design is a single bead that falls into the center of the hoop. You also can design beaded patterns for your earrings. Using different gauges will allow you to put beads of different sizes on the hoops without any problems.
Hoop earrings also work well as costume-type or fan jewelry. With costume jewelry, you can think big, putting large beads or even longer, eccentric beads, such as flamingoes or hats, on the hoops. Fan jewelry is made in team colors and a replica of the ball used in the sport or a mascot charm. These earrings sell quickly at craft shows and are inexpensive to make.
Wine Charms
As wine drinking rises in acceptability, the use of wine charms also increases. Wine charms are wonderful to use at parties. Each person gets a unique charm to put on her glass. Then guests can carry their glasses around and identify them by the charm, making it harder to lose one’s drink.
Wine charms typically come in sets of four or eight, though certainly you could make them in any number. They are themed. For example, a beach-themed set may have several brightly-colored beads with charms such as a sandal, hat, bag, or sun to identify each glass.
Benefits of Using Hoops
Hoops offer many benefits to beaders of all skill levels.
Cost
Hoops are very inexpensive to use. A bag with several hoops may cost only $1-2, which makes them practical for mass jewelry-making. Even hoops of different types and sizes are pretty inexpensive. The only equipment needed to use them is a pair of crafting pliers, which you can find for only a few dollars.
Simplicity
The novice crafter will find these foundational pieces one of the easiest to learn to use well. A few minutes of study and a little practice with the pliers, and you will be ready to make hoop crafts.
Variety
Earrings and wine charms are just the beginning. Hoops can be used to design light curtain hooks, decoration on canvass bags, kitchen hooks and more. With a little creativity, you can design a multitude of crafts with this simple piece.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 2,340 times. This page was last modified 20:00, 19 October 2007.
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