Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design. 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.
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: $10.12
  • Gold Club Price: $7.59
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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
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Step 7
File, sand and refine the edges. Hint: The local beauty shop is a great resource for sanding pads.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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.
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings
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!
Judy Larson's Cupcake Wrapper Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Design, rolling mill earrings