By changing the colors of the wire and beads, you could make an ear cuff inspired by any of the residents of Pixie Hollow, but I chose green beads, copper wire, and a gold charm to represent the original Disney fairy, Tinker Bell. I'm sure I'll make more inspired by her fairy friends, though, and I'll post pictures when I do!
All you need is faith, trust, and pixie dust!
Just kidding. You really need:
- Medium-thick or thick gauge jewelry wire
- I used 24 gauge copper wire.
- Fine gauge jewelry wire
- Wire cutters
- I forgot to put these in the picture. Sorry!
- Assorted beads
- One charm (Optional)
- I used this little heart lock charm because it reminded me of Wendy's music box, which Tink fixes in the first Disney Fairies movie Tinker Bell (2008).
- Jewelry pliers
Now, on to tinkering! You'll want to check the ear cuff's shape and size against your ear as you make it to ensure a proper fit.
1. Cut a piece of the thicker wire about 12 inches long. Use the jewelry pliers to curl one end into a spiral by grasping the tip of the wire with the pliers and curling the wire around the nose of the pliers. This spiral will sit on your earlobe.
2. If you're adding a charm, slip it onto the wire. Hold it in place a little past the spiral you just made and twist the wire to create a loop for the charm. Bend the loop so that the charm hangs how you want it to.
3. A little bit above the charm loop, bend the wire towards the direction of the spiral. Half an inch from that bend, bend the wire back the other way. Continue this pattern so that the wire is bent back and forth twice, out half an inch in each direction. Then bend the wire to go straight again. It should look something like this.
4. Curl this section so that it will grip your ear. I used the handle of the pliers as a form to bend it around. You can adjust it to fit better later.
5. Now use the pliers to curl the unfinished end of the wire into a spiral. Bend the straight section of wire to match the back curve of your ear, come to a point, and then curve back down along the front of your ear.
6. Cut a second piece of the thicker wire about 6 inches long. Curl one end into a spiral.
7. Curve this piece to match the top curve of your ear and fit inside the first pointed piece of the ear cuff. Trim off any extra length, leaving a little bit to finish off. Curl the end into a spiral with the pliers.
8. Hold the two pieces together and wrap the thinner wire while it's still on the spool around both pieces where they touch at the back of the ear cuff. Wrap the thin wire around several times to keep it secure. Then, cut the thin wire about 24 inches long.
9. Continue wrapping the thin wire around both pieces of the ear cuff to secure them and keep them in place.
10. When you want to add a bead, thread it onto the thin wire and then wrap the wire around at least twice before adding another bead (or set of beads).
13. Continue wrapping, adding beads as desired, until you reach the point where the two pieces come together again. Then, wrap the thin wire around several times to secure it. Trim off any excess.
14. Adjust the ear cuff to fit properly to the shape of your ear. I think this is easiest to do with the ear cuff on. Reshape anything that's not quite right, and pinch the part that grips your ear to keep the ear cuff securely in place.
That's it! Don your new pixie ear cuff, and you'll be ready to fly to Never Land and fit right in with Tinker Bell and all the other residents of Pixie Hollow!
As Tink would say, have a flitterific day!
As Tink would say, have a flitterific day!
