Cupcake Wrapper Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Hole Punching, Design
Skill Level: Intermediate

After cupcakes are baked in fluted paper cups and cooled, laser-cut cupcake wrappers, which are about the thickness of cardstock and available in a multitude of designs, are wrapped around them to up the presentation factor. Multiples of the same design come in one package, but some packages contain a variety of designs

This tutorial shows how to create mirror images using one of those laser-cut cupcake wrapper designs in a rolling mill. Vary the shape and size of the designs to create a myriad of unique designs.

Generally, most laser-cut wrappers can be used only once. Experiment with the different designs to see how many times they could be used.

No access to a rolling mill? Alternative directions are included!

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch

MET-705.24M

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.34
Gold Club Price: $8.51

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laser cut cupcake wrappers

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Sterling Silver Earwires Semi-Circle 20mm - Pack of 2

K19-63

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.20
Gold Club Price: $1.65

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clear sealant

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Tools

Rolling Mill 80mm

MIL-280.10

MIL-280.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $349.95
Gold Club Price: $262.46

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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm

PLR-133.70

PLR-133.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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4 Inch Saw Frame

SAW-344.00

SAW-344.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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144 Piece Saw Blades - Pack of 1 Set

G18-2

G18-2
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

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8 Piece Nylon Punch Set

DAP-748.00

DAP-748.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $19.97
Gold Club Price: $14.98

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Instructions

Step 1

Draw out a template in a pleasing shape, keeping in mind that the finished size will be larger after the border is added once the texture shape is imprinted in the metal sheet. If desired, enlarge or reduce the templates seen here to a usable size.

Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings

Step 2

For the purposes of this tutorial, a purchased circle template was used. Use a pencil to trace a 23mm circle, appx. 7/8", or a 19mm circle, appx. ¾", on a laser-cut cupcake wrapper. Cut the design

Step 3

Cut, anneal, pickle and dry two 1¼" 22 gauge or 24 gauge copper squares. Hint: Cut two smaller pieces to use for testing the setting on the rolling mill.

Step 4

Place the texture design in the center of one of the squares. Place the other metal square on top, sandwiching the texture piece between the metal sheets. Place the metal "sandwich" in a folder made from an old manilla folder or a piece of thick cardstock. Hint: As metal is run between the mill rollers, the pressure pushes on the metal, causing it to lengthen slightly. The greater the pressure, the longer the metal "grows." Because of this, all designs will become slightly longer. Therefore, a circle will become slightly oval. This should be kept in mind when deciding how to place a texture design shape on the metal.

On the off chance that it might work, I tried the following and it worked quite well!

A: Follow Steps 1-3, cutting two cupcake wrapper designs of the same shape. Annealing the metal for this technique is very important.

B: A must: Lightly coat the back of the cupcake wrapper cut out design with stick craft glue and adhere it to the center of an annealed metal square. Note: In my excitement to try this, I did not glue the design down and ended up hammering my fingers as well as the design.

C: Place the square on a bench block, cupcake wrapper design facing up.

D: Use a hammer with a large, flat smooth face to hammer the cupcake wrapper design into the metal surface. Use firm flat strokes. Notice that the metal around the upper edge of the design is no longer smooth. Something to be aware of: Because it was close by and this was just practice, I used the hammer set aside for use with stamps, so those hammer face marks transferred to the metal.

E: The paper design should easily pull back from the metal when finished. If not, it will come off in the next step,

F: Rinse the metal to clean off the residual glue and/or paper still stuck to it. Dry.

G: Repeat the steps with the other annealed metal square. Move on to Step 6.

Step 5

It is a good idea to do a test piece at this time to decide on the rolling mill settings. Place two layers of metal between the rolling mill rollers, tighten the rollers so the metal will not pull out. Note the setting. Open the rollers and remove the metal. Tighten the rollers 1/8 to ¼ turn of the T-crank or wheel that turns the gears on top of the rolling mill. Place the texture between the two pieces of metal and put the sandwich in a folder. Run the sandwich through the rolling mill. Check the texture impression and make setting adjustments as necessary. Note: Because two layers of metal are being textured, the impressions will not be as deep as they would be if only one layer of metal was being textured. Placing a piece of thin craft foam on either side below and above the metal sandwich will help push the metal into the texture, creating a slightly deeper texture.

After all the adjustments are made, run the prepared folder from Step 4 through the rolling mill.

Step 6

Use and ultra fine point Sharpie to draw an 1/8" border around the design. Add a small circle if an integrated hanging loop is desired. Cut the shape out using shears or a saw with a 3/0 blade.

Step 7

File, sand and refine the edges. Hint: The local beauty shop is a great resource for sanding pads.

Step 8

Use an ultra fine point Sharpie to mark where the hole for hanging will be placed. Use a 1.5mm hole punch to make the holes.

Step 9

Patina the pieces with liver of sulfur. Rinse and neutralize in baking soda water. Rinse and dry the pieces. Use 0000 steel wool to buff the highlights.

Step 10

Shaping adds dimension to any piece. There are several ways to dome the circles.

A: Place the earring circle, design side down, on top of a thick piece of leather in the die impression of a Cupola Punch and Die set. Use the punch and a brass mallet to form the dome.

B: Place the earring circle design side up on top of one of the punches. Use a small rubber or plastic mallet to shape the circle.

C: If a Cupola Punch and Die Set is not available, a clean, smooth trailer hitch works well. Another item that works well is a large wooden ball with a flat side (shown above). These are available at many craft stores. Wooden darning eggs can provide you with other options for dimension. For a VERY gentle curve, an old bowling ball will even work as a doming tool! Use a hot glue gun to attach different size dowels to a wooden base. Place the metal on top and use a rubber, plastic or rawhide mallet to curve metal, as shown in the earring pieces on the right, below.

Step 11

If a hanging loop was added to the circle, use a flat nose pliers to bend the piece toward the front so the domed piece lays flat on a table.

Step 12

Tumble the pieces in water and shot for 30 minutes to an hour to work harden and polish the earrings. Remove from the tumbler and dry immediately.

Step 13

Copper tarnishes easily. Since earrings get light wear, the surface can be sealed using any number of clear, non-yellowing sealants with no worry of cracking and peeling.

Step 14

Attach ear wires. Note: Even when work hardened, copper ear wires are very soft and can bend out of shape over time. They can also cause skin irritation in some people. Natural niobium wire is a great alternative to make ear wires for use with copper because the color blends so well with the patinated metal. Also, since niobium does not contain nickel alloys, it is considered a very safe hypoallergenic metal.

Here, butterflies cut from Butterfly Cupcake Wrappers were used to texture annealed silver sheet. After they were cut out of the silver, filed and sanded, they were shaped and then soldered to a silver backing. Three little pieces of balled wire on each butterfly and patina added even more dimension. Have fun and be creative with shapes and dimension!

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!