This is one of those easy projects that I’m kicking myself for not doing sooner — it took less than an hour, and has already made my life so much better. At least, as much as (15 pairs of!) new earrings can improve one’s life.
A few years ago after my grandmother passed away, my mother and I went through her jewelry box together. She wore a lot more jewelry than either my mom or I do, but it was so nice to pick out a few special pieces. Both of us actually wore two of those necklaces on my wedding day, and it turns out my aunt did too.
Photo credit: Orlando Claffey
In addition to necklaces, I also ended up with a lot of clip-on earrings. My grandmother didn’t have pierced ears, but she wore earrings every day and had quite a collection. Most of us have probably come across a lot of clip-ons in thrift and vintage stores, and I’m always so intrigued by how fun they are. But man, they’re a pain. How can they be both so tight that they make my ears hurt, and yet so precarious that I’m afraid they’ll fall off at any minute and I’ll lose them? I think I’ve invented a new paradox.
Anyway, that’s when it struck me: why don’t I just turn my clip-on earrings into regular old earrings? First, I bought some metal posts, backings, and dangles at Michaels for a few dollars:
Then I proceeded to wait two years. But this past Saturday after spending the whole day on a long run, I was feeling bad that I hadn’t tackled any DIY projects and decided to take on this quick and easy project at long last. (Guilt and endorphins make me remarkably productive.)
First I gathered up my earrings:
They all have slightly different clipping mechanisms, from the ones that clip softly, to the larger clips, to the ones with a little screw that you tighten.
These are probably my favorite, not shocking since I *do* have an obsession with turquoise:
Then I assembled my supplies. Very straightforward:
- Strong glue (this is the one I used on my wedding guest favor magnets and more recently on our silverware starburst mirror, so I know it holds really well)
- Needle-nosed pliers (I’m sure people who make jewelry more often would suggest having special jewelry tools, but my pliers worked just fine thankyouverymuch)
- The posts, dangles, and backings I’d bought at Michaels
Step One was to remove all the clip-on backings. I had no plan going into it, but it proved to be pretty easy — in most cases I just gave them a hard twist with my fingers or a yank with the pliers and they popped right off.
In a few cases, I did have to break out my dremel with special metal cutting attachment (affiliate link — read our policies).
But if you don’t have a dremel, you can still take on 75% of clip-on earrings — just be sure not to get the ones with the really thick clips, like these red ones:
I was left with a beautiful pile of detached clips.
I decided that I wanted most of the earrings to be studs rather than dangles, so Step Two was just flipping each earring upside down and placing a post on the back with a moderate dab of glue. For the larger earrings I thought it would be strange for the post to be in the exact center (because the earring would end up covering too much of my ear), so instead I glued the posts closer to the top. This was also helpful in cases where ripping off the clip had left an uneven surface in the center, since I didn’t have to worry about putting the new post directly on top of that part.
I did make two of the pairs into dangles, just working with the architecture of the earring to figure out the best approach. For this pair there was a metal bar across the back that I could attach the dangle to:
And for this pair I just left a portion of the original clip-on apparatus, slid it through the dangle eyelet, and then pressed it closed with my pliers.
The glue I used is super strong, but dries really slowly so I just left everything to dry overnight. I also left the windows open, since the packaging is covered with warnings about how toxic it is. In the morning, I had a bunch of “new” earrings, ready to be worn! I’ve given all the backings a good yank, and all feel very secure — it’s very strong glue.
This is such a fast and easy project that requires minimal supplies. If you’ve been eyeing awesome vintage clip-ons but can’t actually stand to wear them, now there’s nothing holding you back!
(Sharing at That DIY Party, Two Uses Tuesday, A Bowl Full of Lemons, All Things Thursday, Think and Make Thursday, Weekend Retreat Link Party, Link Party Palooza, and Tip Me Tuesday – and Featured at Tip Junkie.)
Hmm, I pick up old earrings in my travels and have made my own, newer earrings…why didn’t I think of this? I know part of my lack of creativity is my obsession with originality and authenticity. I did work at a historical society while in college, could that be the reason? Anyway, brilliant!
Thanks Susan! I was definitely a bit reluctant to alter them at first, but then I decided that somewhat unauthentic but actually used was probably honoring them more than totally original and sitting untouched in my jewelry box 🙂
What a wonderful use of old clip on earrings. They pairs shown here look stunning and ready to wear. I will have to remember that when I get a good collection of old clip ons.
Thank you! I’m so thrilled to be able to wear all these at last!
WOW! Awesome job! <3
Thank you!
Love this idea. And I love E6000! LOL….I took a pair of ear bobs and turned them into pierced earrings that my dad picked up for my mom in Japan over 50 yrs ago. I wear them often. Its a great idea.
Thanks so much, Pam! Your earrings sound lovely too, great minds! 🙂
I’m dropping by from the Weekend Retreat link party. What a wonderful idea. Makes me want to raid my mother’s jewelry box to see if she has any that she would be willing to let me have to convert to pierced earrings.
I am trying to grow my own link party. I invite you to participate and share this wonderful idea — I think that my readers would really enjoy it. My Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link party is at http://grandmaideas.com. It closes at midnight tonight so I encourage you to hurry over now.
All the best,
Nina
Thanks Nina! Looks like I missed the link party this week unfortunately, but thank you for stopping by!!
I’ve been following your blog for a little while and I like this post. I’m wondering if you felt those posts would work on sensitive ears. I’ve been thinking about doing this to old-normal earrings where the silver coating has worn off the posts. The nickel irritated my ears so, I can’t enjoy the vintage costume jewelry.
I had looked at those kits in craft stores but, wasn’t sure about the quality.
Hmmm, that’s a good question. I have somewhat sensitive ears and haven’t had issues, but it might be worth taking the plunge to buy some of the posts (just a few dollars) and trying them out on a single pair first. I’d love to hear what you find!
P.S. So glad you’ve been reading and enjoying the blog! 🙂
Hi Danielle,
Check out a website called Simply Whispers. They sell earrings and earring parts for sensitive ears. Long after having my ears pierced they became very sensitive and I can’t wear earrings that aren’t pure silver, gold, or surgical steel anymore. I recently ordered a bunch of the lever back hooks from them and replaced all of my earrings that were questionable. The parts come in silver tone, gold tone, copper and even black! Their prices are reasonable and they ship pretty fast.
Great tip, thank you Annie!
Found your link @ AllCrafts.net to see how you made clip-on vintage earrings “wearable” (comfort wise). Your instructions & photos are good, but none I can use, unfortunately. Never was able to pierce my ears due to skin conditions. Several years ago I quit wearing earrings (& I have many lovely clip-ons) because as we age, gravity does a number on our earlobes ~ sag, sag, sag! Look at the dear elder ladies you know; it will happen if you live long enough. Thus I don’t need any extra weight to aid the process. What I choose to do instead is to convert them into other forms of creativity ~ rings, pendants, brooches, scarf clips or pins, etc. Check your craft sources for findings or instructions. Another idea is to use them for seasonal décor such as ornaments for miniature mantel or tabletop trees ~ awesome! As for the “no earring” identity, I am thinking about using them to fashion the ear cuffs now popular (look on Etsy for gorgeous examples). Anyway, enjoyed visiting; may come again!
So true, there are lots of creative ideas for using converting earrings into something totally different! Earrings are pretty much the only form of jewelry I wear so this was a great way for me to start enjoying my family heirlooms — but maybe one day I’ll start branching out a little. Thanks for stopping by!
Its great piece of information about how to make vintage clip on earrings and thanks for giving us such a great blog.
Thanks so much, and I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog!
oh cool… any idea what to do with the clips after wards?
Thanks Shelly! I just threw them away because they got twisted/broken in the removal process, but I’d love if someone more creative had a clever idea for reusing them!
Is the only way to convert to destroy the clip on by removing the clip? Is there any animal that can slip over it to make it pierced?
🙁 Laura
This is how I made them but I’m definitely not an expert, so if you find another way I’d love to hear!