Making stud earrings is a great craft for both beginners and experts, and requires only a few basic supplies. Studs can be made from any type of material, including metal, plastic, diamond or stone. Use your imagination to create unique designs that match your personality.
They are also very easy to make at home, so if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to add some sparkle to your wardrobe, here’s how to make stud earrings.
Key Takeaways
- You’ll need specialized tools and equipment such as pliers when making stud earrings, and it’s definitely worth it if you want your jewelry to look nicer than store-bought options.
- Studs are made with a stud, a post, and a back, which is a very simple design that allows for an even more versatile piece of jewelry.
- If you are going to make your own stud earrings, then you need to choose wires that won’t tarnish easily. This is because when they do tarnish they will not look good anymore and they will also lose their shine.
- When making stud earrings, you can experiment with various designs. You might like a simple design but if you keep experimenting then eventually you will find one that suits your taste best.
- If you have an old stud earring or find a pair of earrings you like, you can use it as your template.
Step 1: Gather Materials Needed
The first step in making stud earrings is gathering all of the materials needed for the project. Do this before you start working on your own pair of earrings so that everything is ready when you need it.
What Supplies Do You Need to Make Stud Earrings?
Stud earrings consist of a stud, a post which is a piece of wire that goes through an earlobe, and a back which holds the earring in place.
You can use any kind of wire for the post. I suggest using sterling silver or gold-filled wire because it’s easy to work with and won’t tarnish as regular copper or brass would.
Jewelry Wire for Making Stud Posts
We used 20-gauge sterling silver wire in our example but 18-gauge works fine too if you don’t have any sterling silver handy.
Bead, Pearl or Gemstone
I like to use a small bead that’s slightly bigger than the wire, but you can also use pearls if you want something more elegant. If using pearls, they should be drilled in the center so that they will fit onto the post.
Pliers
A pair of jewelry pliers will help you bend the wire into the right shape more easily than using your hands alone.
If you don’t have jewelry pliers then another option is to use a pair of needle nose pliers instead, although this may make things more difficult for you than if you had a dedicated set of jewelry pliers at your disposal.
Wire Cutter
This is optional, but it makes cutting your wire much easier. You can find them at most craft stores for about $4-$6 per pair of cutters.
Earring Backs
These are the little round or square pieces that hold the earring in place. They come as a pair and fit easily onto the post of your earrings. You can buy these at a jewelry store.
The Jewelry Glue
The jewelry glue is pretty expensive, but works well and dries quickly so that may be the best option in this case. Your local craft store will most likely carry these types of glues as well as other supplies listed above.
Buy a hot glue gun to apply glue on beads/pearls so as to secure them with earring wires.
Step 2: Cut the Wire
Cut your wire to the desired length using your wire cutter. The length of the wire will depend on how long you want the stud earring to be plus the loop for attaching the bead.
Step 3: Create a Wire Loop
To begin making stud earrings, you will need to create a wire loop. Use round nose pliers to form a loop at one end of the wire. This is where you will attach the bead or pearl using glue. We used jewelry glue in this tutorial.
Step 4: Attach Beads
Next, glue the bead onto your wire loop or the flat surface that you have created.
Use glue that dries clear so you don’t have to worry about it showing through your bead. Allow the glue to dry for several hours before wearing the stud earring that you have made. Repeat the same process to make the second stud earring.
Do not forget to put it back when you are done with your DIY stud earrings.
Tips to Remember When Making Stud Earrings
You’ve got a great idea for a new piece of jewelry, and you’re ready to make it happen. But before you start, there are some things you need to know about making stud earrings.
Choose Your Gemstone Wisely
If you’re making your own simple stud earrings, then you’ll probably have to buy your gemstones from a jewelry supply store or other retailers that sell these stones. If possible, pick out your gemstones before purchasing them so that you can make sure they are the right size and color for what you want to create with them.
Can Ask about Discounts
You may also want to ask about any specials or discounts being offered so that you can get the best deal possible when buying these precious pieces of nature’s beauty from your local jeweler or online retailer who stocks high-quality gems.
Take Measurements Before You Start
Measurements are important in any type of earring-making project, and when making stud earrings, they’re especially critical because they ensure that your finished product (and its components) will fit into the holes of your ears without causing pain or discomfort.
Choose Wires that don’t Tarnish Easily
Before you start making stud earrings, you have to consider the type of wire you will use for your project. The most popular types of metals used in making stud earrings are sterling silver and gold-filled wires. They are easy to work with, and they don’t tarnish easily.
Gold and Silver Metal
Some metals like gold and silver are better than others when it comes to making jewelry items because they give off a rich glow when polished properly, which makes them look even more attractive than they actually are.
If you want to make sure that your stud earrings look their best at all times, then you should go with a good-quality metal that is known for being durable and long-lasting.
Experiment with Various Designs for Making Stud Earrings
If you are a beginner, it is advisable to start with simple stud earrings. You will get to know the basics of making stud earrings and also get a chance to experiment with various earring designs. If you have some experience in making stud earrings, then go ahead and try out the more complicated ones.
Consider the Look that You want to Achieve
When making earrings, consider what kind of look you want to achieve with them.
For example, if you’re going for something more casual then consider adding round-cut gemstones with small prongs instead of wires that will hold them securely on your earlobe without causing pain or discomfort when wearing them all day long.
If you’re going for something more formal, then consider using stones like diamonds or sapphires which will add some sparkle to your look while still maintaining an elegant vibe that makes it perfect for any occasion.
What Glue Do You Use to Make Stud Earrings?
Jewelry Making Glue
There are a variety of different types of glues that are available on the market today, but I prefer to use epoxy glue for all my jewelry projects. This is because it dries clear and allows me to see whether or not I’ve placed the gems in the correct spot or not.
When applying glue, wait until it dries before proceeding with the next step in your design process. This will ensure that they stay in place while you work on other parts of your project without having to worry about them falling out later on during wear time.
Can You Make Stud Earrings with Cricut?
Yes, you can make earrings with Cricut. You can use your Cricut to make all sorts of jewelry, including stud earrings. All you need is some basic supplies and a few minutes of time.
The best thing about using your Cricut to make your own stud earring is that it’s so easy. With just a few cuts on the mat and the right tools, you’ll have gorgeous pieces in no time at all.
Is It Hard to Make Stud Earrings?
No, it is not hard to make stud earrings. If you can’t find stud earrings that match your style, try making them yourself.
Making your own stud earrings is easy, and you can make your earrings in any size or color that you want. The best part is that the cost of DIY stud earrings will be much less than buying them ready-made.