Making a Simple Loop using Headpins or Eyepins
Beading Tips & Techniques

Method A for Making a Simple Loop

The simple loop is a basic jewelry making technique that transforms a headpin or eyepin into an earring or pendant. There is more than one method for creating the simple loop - here we outline the steps for Method A. With practice you can make perfect round loops!

Tools Needed

  • Needle nose plier
  • Wire snips
  • Headpin, eyepin or jewelry wire
  • Desired beads
bead storage

Step 1

Choose a headpin or eyepin which is long enough to hold all the beads and leave at least a quarter of an inch of wire exposed. Add the beads to the headpin or eyepin so that they sit firmly against the end. Hint: if the hole in the bottom bead is larger than the head of the headpin, use a small round bead first.

bead storage

Step 2

The amount of wire which you need for the loop will depend on the size of the loop. For most purposes, ¼ of an inch of wire is good. Measure ¼” from the top of the last bead and use wire cutters to cut the pin. After a few practice loops, you will find that it is easy to judge the distance by eye. To hold the pin and beads while cutting, grip the top bead between thumb and forefinger and put your second or third finger underneath the head of the pin to make sure all the beads and pin are held tightly together.

bead storage

Step 3

Grip the pin in the jaws of the pliers so that the top of the pin is in the middle of the pliers. If you run your fingertip over the jaws you should not be able to feel the tip. Note that the size of the loop will depend both on the thickness of the pliers’ jaws and on the distance from the tip of the pliers. For a smaller loop grip the pin further towards the tip of the pliers, for a larger loop - further back.

bead storage

Step 4

Gripping the tip of the wire, roll the pliers until the headpin is bent into a shape a little like top of the letter “p”. To get the tip of the pin to meet the wire at the base of the bead, you will have to loosen and tighten the grip on the round-nosed pliers several times to ease the loop around.

bead storage

Step 5

Your almost finished loop should look like this, with the base of the loop against the top bead.

bead storage

Step 6

Now put your round-nose pliers back in the loop and grip the beads so that your fingernail is right behind the base of the loop. Gently bend the whole loop back against your fingernail until it is centered on top of the beads.

bead storage

Step 7

Your finished loop should look like this. To attach it to an earwire, use a pair of flat-nosed pliers to gently open the loop to the side so as to avoid losing the round shape.