How to Carve Wooden Ear Gauges
Ear gauges are large-gauge earrings designed to be worn in stretched earlobes. Some take the form of tapers, which are used to stretch the earlobe to accept a larger-gauge earring. Wood is a popular material for ear gauges, as it is a natural material and is light enough not to damage the ear.
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Things You'll Need
- Hardwood
- Carving knives
- Hand saw
- Sandpaper
- Earring gauge chart
- Beeswax
- Linseed oil
Instructions
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Choose a safe hardwood. The experts at Organic Jewelry warn that many woods that are considered safe may cause an allergic reaction after prolonged exposure to the sensitive skin of the ear.
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2
Plan the design and size of the finished piece. Many wooden ear gauges are simple circular plugs that feature a slight flair at each end to hold it in the ear. Use an earring gauge chart to determine the exact size your gauge should be.
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3
Cut a piece of your selected hardwood into the rough dimensions of the finished gauge. Leave at least half an inch of wood on each side for carving.
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4
Carve the hardwood pieces into your desired shape and size. Use smooth strokes with a sharp carving knife. The experts at WoodCarvers.org recommend carving the piece so the grain of the wood runs along the length of the piece, or the surface of the wood will be rough.
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Sand the ear gauges. Start with large-grit sandpaper to remove excess wood, then slowly work down to a fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.
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Seal the wood with a natural, nonallergenic sealant. The experts at Make Baby Stuff recommend beeswax or linseed oil. These materials are safe for children to put in their mouth, and will not cause a reaction while in contact with an earlobe.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice the basics of woodcarving on a soft wood such as basswood before attempting to carve hardwood.
Use properly sharpened tools, especially when working on a small project like this.
Do not attempt to wear a carved wooden ear gauge that is not properly sanded. Rough wood will irritate the earlobe, and may lead to infections or damage.
