How to Make WOODEN EARRINGS With ONLY Leftover Scrap Wood

It’s Spring 2022. I’d been woodworking for about a year now and formed a small business. I was experimenting with adding new products. I thought a pinch pot or salt box would compliment my boards nicely.

I researched other options and tried a few different methods and bits. They all missed the mark. Even the bit that gave me the best possible outcome, but still hated it, actually gave me the best bi-product. I’m standing at the drill press in Woodcraft with my teacher and the pinch pot in front of me is horrible, but the wood curls that came off this maple with this specific drill bit, gave me an entirely different idea.

An idea not related to my products at all, but instead wooden earrings.

My teacher laughed (kind) at me…or with me. I can’t remember. Because what I pulled up to my ear was what we would call “trash”. You see, usually these shavings get scooped up and put in the trash can that’s literally right next to the drill press. Instead I asked for an empty product box and scopped them all up and brought them home.

Then the research began. How can I make them different colors? What would that process look like? Timeline? How much waste would there still be? Would people even like them? How much should I charge for them? The list went on and on.

Slowly I started to have answers. And I realized people did like them and wanted to buy them!

My experimenting continued and I started selling them. It turned out to be a fun and creative outlet that I really needed.

Care to see how I make them? You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/HOKiX4NsQ8A

Be Brave,
Esterina