I have a huge fear of needles. While my mother relentlessly tried to persuade me to get my ears pierced at the mall when I was a kid, the idea of sticking a needle through my skin on purpose was just not that appealing to me. I didn’t end up getting a piercing until I turned 18, at which point, I got my nose pierced and promptly passed out minutes later. As I got older, though, I began seeing ads for different earrings that were absolutely beautiful. I love to express myself in many different ways, and earrings were just another way to do that. Despite wanting to get earrings, I still had no desire to get my ears pierced.
Then, I discovered that there was another way: clip-on earrings. It had never even occurred to me that they existed. I began getting ads for different small businesses that offered some of their classic earring styles in clip-on options. Even after I had bought several pairs of clip-on earrings, my desire for cool earrings could not be satiated with just the options available in premade clip-on format. With a quick Google search, I discovered that I could transform almost any earrings into a clip-on earring myself.
Whether you want to create your own or buy pairs already made, we’ve got you covered with both recommendations and how-to’s.
How to buy
While it may be hard to come across clip-on earrings in stores, it’s easier than you may think to find them online. An increasing number of small businesses that create custom earrings are adding the option to make their earrings clip ons. If you don’t know where to start looking, you can do a quick Google search for “clip-on earrings.” However, I like my earrings to be a little more funky and I enjoy supporting small businesses, so I’ve found a lot of businesses on Instagram. I’ve bought really cute and affordable clip-on earrings from small businesses such as Shop Kikay (@shop.kikay), Ekko Deco (@ekkodeco) and Laila’s Boutique (@lailasboutiqueofficial), and there are many more out there yet to be discovered. However, if you don’t have an Instagram, there’s no need to worry. There are lots of small businesses and independent creators that sell their earrings on Etsy. If you’re not sure if a certain pair of earrings are available as clip-ons, I’ve had luck messaging the seller and asking if they’d be able to add clip-on backings to the earrings or if they offer them as clip-ons.
How to build
If you have a pair of earrings that were gifted from a relative who didn’t know that you don’t have your ears pierced or you’ve spotted a pair of earrings in store or online that aren’t offered as clip-ons, you can always buy the clip-on backings and modify them yourself. It’s pretty easy to do; all you need is your earrings, the clip-on backings, which can be ordered off of Amazon or found in most hardware and craft stores and a pair of pliers. There are different types of clip-on backings that you may need depending on the style of earring you have, so be sure to check out the different types of backings and which styles they’re used for. Once you’ve got materials, simply take the earrings and bend the post if needed, stick the post into the clip-on backing and secure the post in the backing with the ear nut. After the post is secured, you’re all set to wear your new clip-on earrings.
