Simple Ear Cuff Tutorial
July 04, 2012
What you've all be waiting for... an ear cuff tutorial! I've been making ear cuffs for over a year, but unfortunately haven't had the time to make some of the insanely complicated designs I've dreamed up. This, however, is a very simple ear cuff that takes only a few minutes to master!
Ear cuffs (also known as ear clips, cartiliage cuffs, ear vines, and more) are fabulous for people who don't have pierced ears-- or pair them with other earrings for a "double piercing" look. They are easy to wear, and stay in! I wore one on several rollercoasters and it stayed in place. The only thing to watch out for is hair tangling in them; tug your hair, and you might tug off the cuff.
I've had many friends test these ear cuffs and the sizing shown below has fit everyone because it is adjustable.
All you need is pliers and some wire (the pictured wires are 20ga blue silver plated copper and 20ga enameled copper in various colors).
Begin with 3 inches of wire.
Fold at one inch.
Fold again, creating a little zigzag.
Twist the ends into swirls and pinch the swirls until they touch the center wire. Having loops on the far left and right edges makes the cuff more comfortable (so don't pinch the zigzags into a straight line).
You will need a mandel to form the ear cuff correctly. Anything in a good small circle-- I found that this PaperMate marker was the perfect size. Bic pens are too small for some people, and other markers are way too large. Experiment and find what works best for you.
Push the ends down...
The tips of the ends will still be straight. Using pliers, gently twist them to complete the circle.
Tada!
This ear cuff is for the left ear.
You can use a larger length of wire and create bigger swirlies. You can then add a simple wirewrapped bead dangle onto the cuff.
Or, create something a bit more gothy or piratey by adding chain and a stud earring! Be creative!
As I said before, ear cuffs are not my idea, but this tutorial is. You may use this tutorial to make your own ear cuffs, or your own modified design, for personal use or even for selling. All I ask is that you please reference me (Shaylynn Ann / Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe), and include a link back to my blog where appropriate. I do put a lot of time in coming up with tutorials and offering them for free, so thank you for this courtesy! And if you don't feel like making one of your own, they are available in my Shoppe, and can also be custom ordered!
UPDATE AGAIN: I made a video tutorial! Watch it below, or, if it won't load, here's the YouTube link.
25 COMMENTS
That is so pretty!
ReplyDelete~Lily
lilycarolinephotography.blogspot.com
That is so pretty!
ReplyDelete~Lily
lilycarolinephotography.blogspot.com
That is WAY COOL! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI added it to my favorites blog site list and will be checking back soon.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I found you on Sundae Scoop but I'm going to have to poke around and see what else you have. I love jewelry-making!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tut! Thank you so much for sharing your secrets! I adore ear cuffs and love to wear them when I have my hair pinned up. Yours are so sweet - so I'm headed over to check out your shop! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Those look really nice. The swirls work well. It is also a very well written tutorial.
ReplyDeleteYou should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had found your site sooner great tutorials
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such nice post about ear Designer Cuffs. Its really interesting post.
ReplyDeleteIts soo cool!! But where do you get the wire?
ReplyDeleteI get the wire from a number of places, but the easiest way to find it is at a craft store like Michaels, Joanns, or Hobby Lobby! Now I mostly buy online so I can get bulk wire.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I'll try it...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIts a superb collection of ears rings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic tutorial!! I started out making an ear cuff, and then slipped it on my toe, so now I've got a new toe ring and I'm making more ear cuffs! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is the easiest, yet most beautiful ear cuff tutorial I have seen! I tried it and it was easy to follow and it turned out great.Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely!
ReplyDeleteLovely and creative design
ReplyDeleteExcellent creative designs.
ReplyDeleteHey Shealynn, this is amazing! I just yesterday was searching ear cuffs online; as they have become a recent minor obsession of mine (although, I do not yet have one), and stumbled upon the discovery that you could make ear cuffs out of paper clips.
ReplyDeleteTried and failed with several other tutorials that were less clear, and as paper clips are harder to work with/stiffer. However, after some experimentation with different tutorials, I found yours, and I must saw, yours looks very clean and concise; as well as very beautiful, something I could see myself wearing proudly!
I don't really have my own money or the ablity to go out right now; but when I can, I will try to pick up some supplies, and make my own! Again, great tutorial, and thanks!:)
I love them! I can't stand the pain when wearing earrings, even tho my ears were pierced when I was a baby but I don't even feel the ear cuffs and they look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteCan I use this for a article? i asked someone and they said yes.
ReplyDelete@HipHopPup Pup
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like to use my work or any of my tutorials in an article, please email me at shealynnsfaerieshoppe@gmail.com Unless you are wanting to include a large portion of the blog post, it's usually fine to reference in articles as long as you credit properly!
I found your blog quite interesting and the concern in the blog is really impressive
ReplyDeletelatest ear cuffs
Thanks for this.
ReplyDelete