How to Design and Make Laser-cut Earings

As always you have 2 options, if you want to simply have a look at a very short video (30 secs) on how this was made it can be seen above.

I would highly suggest you follow this guide, if you want to attempt to make the jewelry.

Supplies

Now the supplies are very important to ensure that you get the correct results when producing the laser cut earings. The specific supplies used in the projects are provided below, with relevant links:

Hardware:

Laser cut material: https://geni.us/Lasercut_material

Laser Cutter: https://geni.us/laser_cutter

Earing Hooks: https://geni.us/earing_hooks

Jump Rings: https://geni.us/Earing_jump_ring

Long Nose Pliers: https://geni.us/long_nose_pliers

Sandpaper: https://geni.us/sandpapers

Wood Polish: https://geni.us/wood_polish

Software:

Lasercutting software (usually comes with the lasercutter)

A software to create DXF Files (I have tried with a variety of software: Solidworks, Illustrator and online DXF generators)

Step 1: Generating the Laser Cutting Files

You will need a a way to create a DXF/SVG files, that is usually accepted by most laser cutting software:

The size of the earings can be decided by you, just ensure that you add a round hole somewhere to attach the earing hooks

CAD Software:

As can be seen in the first picture, I have drawn out the simple shape of the earings on Solidworks. This can easily be exported as DXF and cut with a laser cutter.

You also do not have to use solidworks, there are a number of CAD packages (e.g. Tinkercad) that can be used and the files can easily be exported to DXF/SVG format.

Vector Graphics Programs:

I personally use Adobe Illustrator (second image), this is a little more complicated and you will need some experience to properly create the artwork on a vector program (atleast in my opinion, as I find CAD easier).

But you are able to create earing designs and can export to DXF/SVG formats to lasercut.

Online Tools:

One of the easier options that I have found to create simple shapes is using an icon website such as nounproject (third image).

You are able to export the file into svg and using online tools (image to dxf converters). Convert the files into DXF format that you can directly import to a laser cutting software.

This is a simple and easy solution and you can find some great premade designs, you can also combine this technique with either a CAD software or vector programs to create your own unique design.

Important note:

It's essential to exercise caution when utilising online images and to ensure that any image you include is covered by a permissive licence. Failing to do so raises the likelihood of creating an unauthorised derivative work and potentially facing legal action for copyright infringement. While certain fair use arguments might be applicable, this defence is rather limited, especially in relation to commercial products.

Buying the files:

If you have no experience at all with designing files for laser cutting but still want to try to lasercut something, I would recommend searching for files on Etsy, for a reasonable price you can get some great designs for laser cutting.

Step 2: Lasercutting

Now with laser cutting, I am not able to give the exact parameters because this will vary on the laser cutter you are usng.

I would highly recommend you check the machine for your own machine, this could also involve some trial and error to get the perfect results.

In my case I have tested this with MDF. I am currently waiting for some bamboo and some other woods but wanted to quickly test out the designs and share them here.

Step 3: Cleaning and Polishing

With lasercutting you will get burn marks on the side of the wood and also a little marks on the top.

The easiest way to clean this is with some light sanding with a laser cutter, I usually leave the sides and sometimes even paint it because it makes it stand out even more.

If you are using a nice wood and really want the grains to pop, I would suggest using some wood polish.