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Two Ways to Make Simple Loops

by Judy Larson
More metal is visible when using a wire wrapped loop which could detract from the bead or other element used. Because of this, sometimes it is preferable to use a simple loop instead of a wire wrapped loop, such as in a cascading bead cluster. (Cascading Drop Earrings) The beads then can be the star of the show.
Instructions
How to make a simple loop on a bead
Put all of the beads onto heads pins.

Bend the wire at a 90 degree angle over the top of the bead.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - How to make a simple loop on a bead, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Put all of the beads onto heads pins
Using the tips of your round nose pliers, grasp the bent wire as close to the bead as possible.

Use your fingers to push the wire up over the top jaw of the pliers toward the front of the bead.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Using the tips of your round nose pliers
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, grasp the bent wire as close to the bead as possible
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Use your fingers to push the wire up over
Shift the pliers and continue wrapping the wire across the front of the wire.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Shift the pliers and continue
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, wrap the wire across the front of the wire.
Trim the wire tail even with the wire coming out of the bead.

Adjust the wire tail to close the loop.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Trim the wire tail even
Alternative way to make a simple loop
Beadsmith offers a One Step Looper that creates three sizes of basic loops: 1.5mm, 2.25mm, and 3mm.

With this tool, you get the exact same loop size every time no measuring or cutting needed.

It works with wire gauges from 26 to 18.

Here, the 1.5mm Looper was used with a 10mm faux pearl.
Slide a bead on a head pin.

There is a hole in the side of the right jaw of the Looper for the head pin to pass through.

Press the bead against the edge of the left plier Looper.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - Alternative way to make a simple loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Press the bead against the edge of the left plier Looper
Pull the headpin tightly through the hole.

Pull the headpin tightly through the hole while starting to squeeze the Looper handles.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Pull the headpin tightly through the hole
Keep squeezing the plier handles and the tool will cut off the excess headpin.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Keep squeezing the plier handles
Continue squeezing the plier handles and the tool will make the loop around the small post inside the looper jaws.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Continue squeezing the plier handles
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make the loop around the small post inside the looper jaws
The loop may not be completely closed, but a round nose pliers can easily take care of that.

To see the difference between a hand-made simple loop and a tool-made simple loop, they are shown side by side.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, hand-made simple loop
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, and a tool-made simple loop
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, they are shown side by side
Opening and closing simple loops
Since simple wire loops are found on many jewelry making components, such as on beads, at one end of eye pins, and on many earring findings, and used in so many different jewelry projects, knowing how to open and close simple loops properly in an important skill.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - Opening and closing simple loops, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, used in so many different jewelry projects
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - Opening and closing simple loops, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, close simple loops properly in an important skill
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - Opening and closing simple loops, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, two ways to make simple loops
Opening and closing a simple loop is similar to working with a jump ring.

Grasp the cut end of the loop with flat or chain nose pliers.

Twist or lift the cut side up never pull or spread it open.

Like a jump ring, pulling the loop apart makes it nearly impossible to restore its original shape.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Opening and closing a simple loop
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Grasp the cut end side of the loop
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, form it back to the same shape it was originally
Add the desired element, first photo.

Twist the open side of the loop back down to close it, second photo.
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Add the desired element
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Twist the open side of the loop
Judy Larson's Two Ways to Make Simple Loops - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, two ways to make simple loops

Materials

Sterling Silver Head pins
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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
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WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
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  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Loops

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