November 2026

How a Daisy Hoops earring is made

People often ask me how long one pair of earrings takes. The honest answer is: longer than you'd think. Every piece goes through my hands many times and into the kiln at least twice, sometimes three times. Here's the whole journey, from a slab of clay to something you can wear.

Rolling and cutting

It starts with a fresh slab of clay that I roll out evenly, so every piece has the same thickness. Then I press out the shapes with my cutters: flowers, hearts, rounds, triangles, whatever I'm in the mood for. While the clay is still soft, I poke the holes for the hoops and smooth every edge by hand. Rough edges now mean rough edges forever.

The first firing

Once the pieces are completely dry, they go into the kiln for the first time. This turns soft clay into hard ceramic that's ready for color.

Painting and glazing

Next, I paint each piece by hand with different colored glazes. No two pieces come out exactly alike, and I've stopped trying to make them match perfectly.

Then the pieces go back into the kiln. They hang on kiln rods during the firing so the glaze doesn't stick to anything. Once fired, the glaze brings out the dots and speckles, and the pieces come out glossy and bright.

A touch of gold

Some pieces get one more step: gold luster, painted on by hand and fired one last time. It's tricky to apply and a little nerve-wracking, but the way it catches the light is worth it.

Finishing

Last, I sand and seal the backs and attach the gold-filled findings. Then each pair is packed up, ready for its new home.

So when you hold a pair of Daisy Hoops, you're holding a lot of small steps, a few nervous kiln openings, and a little bit of luck.

Daniela