How to Make Plug Earrings

Wearing plug earrings can be fun, but if you like variety, finding plenty of earrings in the correct gauge can be difficult (not to mention expensive). Making your own allows you to customize the size, shape and color of your plugs. Plus, plugs made of polymer clay tend to be light, comfortable, and relatively durable, and almost anyone can learn to make them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• polymer clay
• oven
• pair of earrings that fits you (optional)

1. Break off a chunk of polymer clay and soften it by kneading.
2. On a flat surface, roll the clay into a long, even snake. If a section gets too thin, gently squeeze it together from both ends, then roll it on the flat surface some more to make it nice and smooth. Compare the thickness of the rolled clay to an earring that fits you well, at the part that passes through your ear. The clay will shrink a bit during baking, but even if it ends up a little too small, the flare you make at the end should stop it from falling out of your ear.
3. Cut the snake of clay in half. The halves will be your two plug earrings.
4. Hold each half near one end and press the end down on the flat surface until it becomes slightly cone shaped. This is the flare that will stop the plug earring from falling out of your ear.
5. Roll the other end of each half until it tapers to a point. Now you should have two long, thin cones. Compare the two and modify them slightly until they are pretty much the same shape.
6. Shape the earrings however you prefer. You could leave them as cones (especially if they're not very long), curl them into spirals, or shape the points into long, organic curves that dangle.
7. Put the earrings on a cookie sheet to bake, and carefully examine them for any flaws. Smooth out any dents or scratches as much as you can.
8. Bake your plug earrings according to the directions on the polymer clay package.

Tips & Warnings

• You can combine two or more colors of polymer clay before beginning the earring process by swirling or squishing them together.
• Some people think that unbaked polymer clay can be mildly toxic. Especially if you work with it a lot, consider wearing rubber gloves and getting plenty of fresh air.