Making an Eye Pin or Round Loop

Eye pins should be made with half-hard wire to make sure they hold their shape. 22-gauge will fit through most beads, with the exception of many semi-precious stones. Most Czech glass beads and 4mm crystals will fit on 20-gauge wire.

The length used for the eye loop depends on how big you want the loop. Here we will use 3/8 inch for a moderate size loop. Flush trim end of wire.

Using chain-nose pliers, make a 90-degree bend 3/8 inch from end of wire.

Using round-nose pliers, grasp the end of the wire so no wire sticks out between plier blades.

Begin making a loop by rolling your hand away from your body. Don’t try to make the entire loop in one movement. Roll your hand 1/4 turn counterclockwise.

Without removing pliers from loop, open plier blade slightly and pivot plier back toward your body clockwise about 1/4 turn.

Close plier onto the wire and roll the loop until it comes around, next to the 90-degree bend.

Open and close eye-pin loops the same way as jump rings, by pushing open front to back.