Super duper easy!!

Get a coil of basic irrigation tubing -- any Home Depot type store should have it. I use 3/4 inch, 160 psi. That seems to be a really great size and weight for me. Also grab a few of the joiners to connect the two ends of your hoop, they should be right by the tubing.

(By the way, this is enough tubing to make 6-8 hoops, depending on size. Unfortunately the big coil is the only way you can by it. But it's pretty cheap.)

Cut your tubing so that when it's formed into a hoop, the height of the hoop should reach somewhere between your belly button and your bra line. Bigger hoops travel more slowly around your body, and are generally easier to learn tricks with. You can also weight your hoop with some sand, gravel, beans, rice, whatever. I personally prefer a silent hoop, and mine end up being weighted enough by all the decorative tape I put on.

Use a hair dryer to soften the two ends of the tube, and join them together with your connector.

Then the really fun part, decorating!! Home Depot also carries a rainbow of colors of electrical tape, which you can wrap the hoop with. I ordered some glittery holographic tape from www.identi-tape.com. Gah! As if we bellydancers need another source of fun sparkly things....

Definitely be sure to experiment with different sizes and weights. Some really work better than others!

Happy hooping!

(And see you in Vegas...hopefully...I'll be there for the intensive, just working on finding a way to get some time away from family!!)

Jeffrey makes hoops and said he would be happy to make them or help us make our own:)