Ear cuffs can be made with a piece of jewelry wire and a pair of needle nose pliers.You can make a simple cuff with a bow or heart shape.If you want to try out this fun jewelry trend, try making an earring cuff.
Step 1: 22 gauge wire is available in a number of colors.
You can make ear cuffs with any type of jewelry wire.There are a variety of sizes and colors of jewelry wire at craft supply stores.The wire needs to be thick to hold its shape after you bend it and flexible to tighten and loosen it when you take the cuff off.A 22-guage wire works well.You can find wire that is finished in a variety of colors, such as copper, red, blue, green, etc., or you can choose a plain silver colored wire.A few inches of wire is all you will need to make an ear cuff.
Step 2: You can measure the part of your ear you want to wear.
Take a piece of string and hold it up to your ear.Put it around the part of your ear you want to cuff.To pinch off the string at the locations where you want the cuff to begin and end, use your fingers.To figure out how long your wire will need to be, hold the string next to a ruler.
Step 3: Cut 20 centimetres of wire.
Use a pair of scissors or wire cutter to cut your first length of wire.To avoid a pointed edge, cut across the wire straight.You can always cut it later if you give yourself a little longer piece of wire.
Step 4: Remove the edges of the wire.
To smooth the ends of the wire, use a metal file.Move the file back and forth across the wire until it feels smooth when you run your finger across it, and then repeat on the other end.The ear cuff will help to prevent jagged edges from scratching your ear.
Step 5: Attach a small circular hook to the end of the wire with pliers.
If you want the greatest control, you should use needle-nose pliers.The end should be bent into a small round hook.
Step 6: From the bottom of the circle, measure the length of your cuff.
Measure from the little bent circle of wire with your ruler.Move 1 inch down the wire if your measurement was less than 2.5 cm.
Step 7: At your measurement, bend the wire back on it's own.
It's a good idea to double the wire up on its own, like a paper clip.There is a U-shaped bend with the wire extending up on one side and the hook on the other.
Step 8: The wire should be shaped into a zig-zag.
Make sure the wire is even with the hook.Take the long piece of wire and bend it into a Z shape.You have to bend the wire back and forth until you make a zig-zag shape.One piece of wire should hang off the last curve.
Step 9: At the last bend of the wire, use your pliers to create another hook.
You have a long zig-zagging piece of wire with a hook on one end and a free end on the other.With the pliers, grab the wire right at the last bend before the free end of wire, and then use your fingers to spin it around and create another hook.
Step 10: You have hooks on both ends of the wire if you cut off excess wire.
You'll get a "W" when you're done, with hooks on the top of the letter.Attach the ends of the wire with your hands.
Step 11: You can make your ear cuff around a pen or Sharpie.
If you want to get the right curve for an ear cuff, you need to bend it around a pen or cylindrical object.Smaller pens may be too thin to round off the cuff, which is why a normal permanent marker is usually perfect.If you lightly mold the cuff into place, it will stick to your ear.
Step 12: Attach a hook to the end of your wire.
Measure out the width of your cuff using the string.Attach the small loop with the pliers around the very end of the wire.
Step 13: To make a figure 8 you have to bend the wire back on itself.
The pliers should be placed in the loop and underneath.To make a figure 8 out of the wire, bend it around the pliers.
Step 14: To make a clover, you have to create 1 more loop.
When you bend the wire above the figure 8, you have a 3-leaf clover.
Step 15: A zigzag pattern can be created with the remaining wire.
When you have 1 free length of wire left, double the wire up.Make a sideways M or W shaped center for your cuff.
Step 16: If you repeat the process, you can make a clover on the other end of the wire.
You can either make a loop on the other end of the wire or finish it with a clover.
Step 17: Put the ear cuff around your pen.
You may want to experiment with the pen size and need to mold the final shape by hand.
Step 18: Take the wire from the end to the loop.
On both sides, keep the extra length of wire.The pliers can be used to turn a loop into a L-shape.The ends should be parallel to the wire.
Step 19: From the bottom of the loop, measure your cuff width.
To pinch this spot, you need to measure down the long end, away from your loop.
Step 20: At your measurement point, bend the wire back on itself.
Tuck it back behind the loop.
Step 21: Measure your cuff width and bend it behind the loop 1 last time.
At this point, things will look like a bow or a paperclip.The loop in front has a small wire hanging down and a long wire behind it.There is still a lot of wire behind the loop.
Step 22: A second loop can be formed by bending the wire back over the front.
The bow shape will come together.There should be 2 loops on top and hanging bits of wire below.
Step 23: Wrap the wire around the bow.
To hold everything in place, come up and around the center of your bows.To keep things in place and shape the bow, use your fingers and pliers.Sand jagged edges after cutting off excess wire.
Step 24: To create the cuff, bend the long wire.
Do not bend the bow if you use the pen to shape the center part of the cuff.The bow needs to be nice and flat.If you bend the cuff around your pen, it will fit on your ear.
Step 25: Measure, cut, and sand off the wire.
The small cuff is meant to fit on your "tragus," the little, rounded flap where your ear meets your jawbone.You should go closer to 3 centimetres if you have larger ears.
Step 26: The 2 sides of the wire should be as close as possible.
If you bring both sides of the wire close, they will be doubled up.
Step 27: There are two little spiral hooks on the wire.
These should be pointing in the same direction.You'll get a set of wires.To keep the bottom tight, use the pliers.
Step 28: The pliers are used to mold your heart shape.
If you want the heart to curve, pinch the wire with the ends of the pliers.The tips of the pliers can bend small circles.
Step 29: Put a small pen over the shape.
The curve keeps it on your tragus.If you want the wire to fit on your ear, you need to mold it.