How to Make Acrylic Earrings
with a Glowforge
MATERIALS:
4mm and 6mm Gold and Silver Open Jump Rings: https://amzn.to/3lPB6nF
Fish Hook Earring Wires: https://amzn.to/3pHVvfl
Black Circle Posts: https://etsy.me/3pEyFW5
6mm Black Open Jump Rings: https://amzn.to/3IA1Baa
Jewelry Pliers: https://amzn.to/3IB5JGT
Weld On Acrylic Glue: https://amzn.to/3y9aoeF
ACRYLIC: I purchase acrylic through Etsy, Amazon, and Inventables.com
⅛” Thick Red Acrylic
⅛” Neon Green Acrylic
⅛” Thick Green Acrylic
⅛” Thick Yellow Acrylic
⅛” Thick Black Acrylic
1/16” Thick Black Acrylic
DESIGN:
The first step is to create the design. I like to do this on my iPad pro using the drawing app called ProCreate or you can also use a pencil and paper.
Once I'm done with the designs I export them as JPGs and airdrop them over to my computer.
Next I vectorize the designs in Adobe Illustrator. If you want a detailed tutorial on vectorizing I have another video on my channel called "Make an SVG file for Glowforge"
PRINTING:
Now it's time to upload those SVG files to the Glowforge software for printing. To open up the software just go to app.glowforge.com.
I have red acrylic placed inside of the Glowforge so I'm going to go ahead and upload the strawberry design. I'm going to delete the other two pieces of the design (that aren't red).
I have medium clear acrylic selected and below that are two layers. The top layer is going to be the seeds, which need to be cut so I have cut selected and proofgrade cut. Below is the second layer that is the strawberry which also needs to be cut out so I have cut selected and then proofgrade cut again. Next, I click print.
The bottom of the strawberries are being printed on 1/8" thick red acrylic. Next, I'm uploading the rest of the pieces and printing them. The stems are being printed on 1/8" thick neon green acrylic, and the strawberry bases on 1/16" thick black acrylic.
(Strawberry bottoms - red acrylic)
(Strawberry stems - green acrylic)
(Strawberry bases - black acrylic)
ASSEMBLY:
Once the printing is done it's time to assemble the earrings! First, I peel the tape off of the acrylic. Then it's time to glue the pieces onto the base with Weld On Acrylic Glue.
Next, I open up the jump rings and slide them through the hole at the top.
Next, I tighten up the jump ring and move the loop of the wires to face forward.
Then I open up that loop and slide it through the jump ring.
finally, I close that loop, and the earrings are assembled!
Thanks for reading!
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