DIY Ear Cuff

The ear cuff craze had many of you requesting a DIY so here it is: a single statement earring that is surprisingly easy to make. I think it’s important not to skimp on the quality of materials for this tutorial – E6000 and Swarovski crystals are a must for that strong hold and sophisticated sparkle!

earcuff1

You’ll need:

earcuff2

Start by hammering the hallow gold tube flat. Use the flatnose pliers to flatten and even out the texture.

earcuff3

Pull the working surface off the edge of a table. Pierce a hole and push the earring post through the working surface. Squeeze a dollop of E6000 onto a disposable spoon.

earcuff4

Use a toothpick and apply a generous amount of glue onto the flat post. Glue on the flattened curved piece. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes before applying more glue and attaching the shorter rhinestones to the post. Use the pliers and toothpick to help maneuver the rhinestones. Allow to dry.

earcuff5

Add more glue along the curved piece and add the longer rhinestones, one piece at time and in an alternating pattern.

earcuff6

Use the toothpick to add glue along the sides of the rhinestones each time for extra hold. Dry overnight.

earcuff7

Use wire cutters to trim away the excess metal. Check for any potentially loose pieces and add more glue.

earcuff8

Allow to dry for at least another day before wearing.

earcuff9

And be sure to back it with a stabilizer clutch to help keep the ear cuff from drooping!

earcuff10

(all images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

148 Comments

  1. Mira wrote:

    Wow the ear cuff looks totally marvelous. Hope I can make one too. Thanks for sharing this great diy 😀

    xx Mira

    http://www.glamdevils.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  2. EmerJa wrote:

    WOW!! Love the result.

    http://www.emerjadesign.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  3. STEL STYLE wrote:

    wwaaauuu amazing diy, it’s gorgeous

    http://www.thestelstyle.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  4. Ana Laguna wrote:

    Just amazing as always!!

    Share it!

    Kisses

    7.30.13
    Reply
  5. may wrote:

    Great idea! It looks lovely 🙂
    http://www.bagsbymay.com/

    7.30.13
    Reply
    • Samantha wrote:

      what is a stabilizer clutch? no pictures shown

      12.14.22
  6. Andrea wrote:

    I love your blog.You’re very talented! Following you now! Would you like to follow me back?
    http://www.fabuloustorture.com/category/blog/

    7.30.13
    Reply
  7. Lauren wrote:

    This is awesome idea, it’s looks great!

    Lauren
    livinginaboxx
    bloglovin

    7.30.13
    Reply
  8. Paty wrote:

    I loved it!!!!!!!
    I’m posting looks from Los Angeles and accessories:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  9. Laura wrote:

    Love it ! Amazing tutorial !
    http://www.thestilettoholic.com/
    Love from Paris

    7.30.13
    Reply
  10. enda wrote:

    Woaww thats it thats diy for fashion blogger!

    xoxo,
    Enda,
    http://detailsbyenda.blogspot.com/

    7.30.13
    Reply
  11. Leslie wrote:

    Gorgeous! Any chance of a DIY on a “freestanding cuff,” one that doesn’t go through a piercing? I’d love to learn that technique.

    7.30.13
    Reply
    • Suzanne Lyon wrote:

      I agree this is beautiful but it is not a cuff.
      I would really like to know how to make it as a cuff.

      4.7.23
  12. Kate wrote:

    Obsessed. Need to make a ton of these in different colors.

    Kate

    http://www.thrillofthechaise.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  13. Rachelle wrote:

    This is so cool, love it.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  14. Cacau wrote:

    So cool

    I buyed ones like that but I could do by my one. http://www.parfois.com/index.php?pais=eua&id=51&idp=13029

    Nice tutorial.
    Next time I will do 😀

    Kiss
    Cacau

    7.30.13
    Reply
  15. Anita wrote:

    LOVE this project!!! Thank you for another fab tut!

    7.30.13
    Reply
  16. meg wrote:

    These turned out AWESOME!!!!

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

    7.30.13
    Reply
  17. This is siiick! Love!

    7.30.13
    Reply
  18. This is such a great diy!!!
    Love how it is big enough to be a cuff but not over bearing where it is covering your whole ear.
    Thanks for sharing.
    xo Quinn

    Quinn Cooper Style

    7.30.13
    Reply
  19. Totally DIYing it!

    Awesome =)

    Love,
    Lila&Sirena

    lilasirena.blogspot.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  20. Ambyr wrote:

    This is sweet. Looks like I’ll be sporting on this coming weekend for a wedding!

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  21. Aleisha wrote:

    LOVE!!! I definitely want to make some in all colors. Thanks so much for this!

    7.30.13
    Reply
  22. justine wrote:

    WOW! This actually looks really easy! I love it xx

    Justine | BRIGHTON DREAM

    7.30.13
    Reply
  23. Iren wrote:

    Gorgeous cuff!!!!!!!!!!! i want it!!

    xoxo Iren
    http://www.liakw.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  24. Omg this looks pretty amazing! Great gift ideas
    for friends as well c: Thank you I’ve got this
    one bookmarked! Xx

    7.30.13
    Reply
  25. SheaDionne wrote:

    This is FAB!!! Thank you for sharing:)

    7.30.13
    Reply
  26. What a gorgeous DIY – Love it! <3

    7.30.13
    Reply
  27. Charlotte wrote:
    7.30.13
    Reply
  28. i.s. wrote:

    absolutely brilliant! xx
    http://www.vicariousLA.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  29. Martyna wrote:

    So pretty, amazing idea! xx

    Martyna | NEON MIZZLE

    7.30.13
    Reply
  30. Sabine wrote:

    wow! this is what i’d call a DIY!

    Very well executed!

    http://lettersandbeads.blogspot.de/

    7.30.13
    Reply
  31. Eva wrote:

    Awesome idea and very well done! xx

    http://www.creativityandchocolate.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  32. this is great
    malinda
    http://www.malindaknowles.net

    7.30.13
    Reply
  33. Patricia wrote:

    These look like a million bucks. Thank you so much for the tutorial.

    7.30.13
    Reply
  34. Wow this looks so high-class! You definitely need a calm hand for this xD

    http://love-your-ego.blogspot.de

    7.30.13
    Reply
  35. Casey wrote:

    I love this! Just a question though, the rhinestones in the pictures are in settings to make them flat backed, but the rhinestones in the link are not. Where can I find the things to set the stones in?

    7.30.13
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Casey, I’ve updated the supply list to include the settings!

      7.31.13
  36. Roslyn wrote:

    Any DIYs for non-pierced ear cuffs? Love this DIY. Will pass on to others.

    7.30.13
    Reply
  37. This is beautiful! Love love love it.

    Will definitely give it a try 🙂 Perhaps for this weekend’s DIY project. It will be a good excuse to stock up on supplies!

    Alex from http://www.polkadottedpixels.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  38. Xeana wrote:

    Wow! It look amazing!

    From http://www.xeanafashion.com

    7.30.13
    Reply
  39. Omg thank you so much for this! This is just so lovely and you did a GREAT job! ;))

    ❤ Jenny Tsang
    http://www.Tsangtastic.com
    – New Post: Sun Sand Sea –

    7.30.13
    Reply
  40. A great idea. They look very unique and posh. I love them.

    7.31.13
    Reply
  41. This DIY is amazing, it would be perfect for a bride on her big day or even at the rehearsal dinner!

    7.31.13
    Reply
  42. Liz wrote:

    If I had the skills to do this is definately would. Too bad I can’t hahaha.

    7.31.13
    Reply
  43. I would call that a success!

    http://www.divosdiva.wordpress.com

    7.31.13
    Reply
  44. Jaa wrote:

    I came here for an EARCUFF DIY..
    And I get glue? Piercing? Glue? Did I mention glue?

    7.31.13
    Reply
  45. Wow this is amazing, will have to try a bit of DIY soon 😉

    http://www.damederose.blogspot.co.uk

    7.31.13
    Reply
  46. Mimi wrote:

    Love it! But it would also be cute to make another for the other ear as a matching pair of earrings! One is simply not enough.

    7.31.13
    Reply
  47. Julita wrote:

    Wow! This DIY is simply amazing! Looks so stylish! 🙂

    7.31.13
    Reply
  48. I like your use of the curved tube, Great idea to hammer it out and use it as the foundation of the piece. I have to say I was a bit confused because i thought an earcuff wraps around the outside of the ear and doesn’t go through a piercing. I think this piece is more of an earring than a cuff. But it came out gorgeous anyway! it takes skill and a steady hand to glue those rhinestones perfectly into place.

    7.31.13
    Reply
  49. Tiara wrote:

    I love this! will def try

    8.1.13
    Reply
  50. Jess wrote:

    Erica, fabulous tutorial!

    Where can I find the settings for the 11×3 navette rhinestones? The website you linked doesn’t seem to have them.

    Thank you in advance!

    8.1.13
    Reply
  51. annette wrote:

    also looking for the settings for the 11×3 navette rhinestones. erica, could you include a link to the ones you used? thanks!

    8.3.13
    Reply
  52. Paige wrote:

    Fabulous tutorial! I’ve been dying for this!

    8.5.13
    Reply
  53. Marina wrote:

    This earrings look awesome! Love them!

    xx
    Biskvittka.blogspot.com

    8.11.13
    Reply
  54. Pia Sharma wrote:

    This is one accessory trend I’m personally sooo much in love with!
    Ear cuffs are super on trend. I got this Ear Cuff recently.
    Hope could have come across your post earlier :)❤
    To all, go ahead tuck your hair behind the ear to reveal your beautiful ear cuff.

    8.12.13
    Reply
  55. Passionofsisters wrote:

    Woooow ! You guys are so inspiring !! Love it
    passionofsisters.blogspot.com

    9.11.13
    Reply
  56. This is such a cool idea..definitely gonna give this a try!!

    10.23.13
    Reply
  57. Jean wrote:

    Do you have a site where you sell some of these items? I love!!!

    10.23.13
    Reply
  58. Nataliia wrote:

    Thank you! This is amazing idea and very, very beauty!

    10.25.13
    Reply
  59. Lyn wrote:

    Very nice; great result !! xx
    http://www.blondebutterflies.blogspot.com

    12.21.13
    Reply
  60. Great result!

    my web page: Statement necklaces

    12.21.13
    Reply
  61. Vimeo.com wrote:

    Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if
    you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having
    problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

    Here is my homepage: Annette Funicello Nude (Vimeo.com)

    12.21.13
    Reply
  62. Sarah wrote:

    Wow, these are so similar to a pair of multicolored (mostly red) clip-on earrings I used to have that were my grandmother’s (for super-dress-up for her, I imagine). I feel a physical pain that I lost them somewhere along the way, but your tutorial makes me feel a little better — and I can actually wear this earring as opposed to the larger HEAVY ones from my grandmother (that I managed to break before I lost – great idea to give them to a child!).

    1.13.14
    Reply
  63. It’s really nice! I will try it 🙂

    4.28.14
    Reply
  64. enikoe wrote:

    I really want to make these, but do they stay in the right angle in your ears?

    6.29.14
    Reply
  65. La Kukita wrote:

    Golden Ear Cuff made by La Kukita

    http://wp.me/p3o3Ow-m8

    6.30.14
    Reply
  66. bijuteria wrote:

    A great shop for accessories is BIJUT. You can find them Portugal.

    7.21.14
    Reply
  67. bijuteria wrote:

    A great shop for accessories is BIJUT.

    7.21.14
    Reply
  68. Love Love!

    9.19.14
    Reply
  69. Such an innovative way to get a base for ear cuffs- will definitely take a leaf from your book for my DIY tutorials on hapinesswherever.wordpress.com 🙂

    10.20.14
    Reply
  70. Nadou wrote:

    Bonjour, elles sont superbes mais qu’appèle t’on un stabilisateur ?
    Bonne journée et bravo

    10.25.14
    Reply
  71. Rosie wrote:

    Can’t wait to try this out & include in my links to love post!

    11.1.14
    Reply
  72. bernadette wrote:

    This is a beautiful post style earring. It is not a cuff. You do not have to have pierced ears to wear a cuff. I was a bit disappointed with the discription since I do not have pierced ears. They are stunning.

    2.7.15
    Reply
  73. Johanna wrote:

    Beautiful piece! I’m so in love. I will definitely give this a try. For all the ladies that don’t have pierced ears, just attach an earring clip instead of a post and there you have it. Thanks for sharing!

    2.23.15
    Reply
  74. Rebecca wrote:

    Absolutely Stunning!

    2.23.15
    Reply
  75. Kathleen M wrote:

    Can you explain what a stabilizer clutch is?

    2.23.15
    Reply
  76. Carol Raabe wrote:

    I am having a tough time finding rhinestones 11x3mm and 8x4mm, let alone Swarovski. Can you recommend an on-line or catalog source, please?

    3.5.15
    Reply
  77. Bernadette wrote:

    This is a beautiful earring however, I do not consider it a cuff. Cuffs do not require piercing. They simply wrap around your ear. I was looking for a new cuff idea and was disappointed to find a stud earring instead.

    8.11.15
    Reply
  78. leela G wrote:

    great work. love it

    2.24.16
    Reply
  79. Sukran wrote:

    I am in love with this DIY project and your photo is just perfect

    11.15.16
    Reply
  80. Maribeth Bieber wrote:

    Hi very beautiful. Where would i get the stablizer clutch. I would love to make these.
    Thank you!

    9.11.18
    Reply
  81. Teresa wrote:

    I love love love the ear huggers

    11.19.19
    Reply
  82. Darlene Evans wrote:

    Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I will gather the necessary pieces to make this project. I’m gathering gift ideas for my nieces and grand nieces. God’s Blessings

    6.15.20
    Reply
  83. Stephanie wrote:

    love the earrings 🙂

    6.7.21
    Reply
  84. Bernadette wrote:

    Love

    10.10.21
    Reply