January 19th, 2023
News
Plastic Sucks!
Transition Period
At this point, we all know how absolutely terrible single-use plastics are, but damn they can be so difficult to avoid.
Those of you who've been with us for a while know we used plastic bubble bags to protect your jewelry in shipping. Last year we made change. Just one change but we love it! We now use cellulose wadding instead of bubble wrap to protect your jewelry from damage in shipping. The cellulose wadding does kinda look like paper towels as some people have mentioned but it is not! It is made from 100% recycled paper, biodegradable, and curbside recyclable.
While we feel really good about this change, we know our work isn't done yet. We still use poly mailers to ship most orders and all jewelry is shipped in sealed poly bags. Finding a good replacement for the poly mailers will be our next big undertaking. It requires a balancing act we haven't been able to fulfill just yet. It needs to both be plastic free but also light weight enough to still allow affordable shipping. We'll get there.
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
- Maya Angelou
Glass vs Steel Stretching Plugs
At Arctic Buffalo, you know we are all about providing you with stretching plugs that help you size up in style and with ease. Our stretching plugs come in 1mm incremental sizing to allow you to stretch to larger sizes seamlessly. Most people say it's even easy and painless. The stretching plugs we offer provide you with a safer stretching method to reach your goals, without having to deal with injury or blowouts. We currently offer stretching plugs in glass and stainless steel. Let’s take a look at the difference between these stretching plug materials.
Glass Stretching Plugs:
The Single Flare Glass Plugs are available in black, clear, white and blue ranging in sizes from 2mm-28mm. They are made from borosilicate glass, which is durable and smooth to allow the plugs to slide in with ease. The post on these is slightly longer than other single flare plugs, which helps when dealing with fresh stretches by providing extra room for swelling.
The sizes of glass are not exact because they are handmade. We measure their exact circumference and write it on your receipt for your knowledge. Although these size variations are not drastic, if you have especially sensitive ears and you are uncomfortable with the size, leave the bags sealed and reach out to our customer service for a return.
Once you get your stretching plugs in the mail and open up those little bags with your new stretching plugs, pop those babies in for a couple weeks and watch them work their magic while you prepare for your next stretch.
Pro Tip #1: We recommend ordering each size up to your goal, all at once, so you only have to pay for shipping once.
Pro Tip #2: Combine your stretch with our stretching balm for best results.
Steel Stretching Plugs:
If you want the sizing pretty dang perfect, the Single Flare Stainless Steel Plugs might be your go-to option. These are also available in sizing up to 38mm, so they are an option when stretching to larger sizes. The sizes ranging from 1.2mm-16mm are solid steel plugs and the sizing from 17mm up has the plug hollowed out to remove some of the excess weight. The high-quality 316L stainless steel makes these easy to clean and a great material to consider when sizing up. If you have a nickel sensitivity, glass may be a better option for you.
Weight Comparisons:
Size | Glass | Steel |
1.2mm | N/A | 1.1g |
1.6mm | N/A | 1.3g |
2mm | 0.5g | 1.7g |
2.5mm | N/A | 2.2g |
3mm | 0.8g | 3.1g |
4mm | 1.4g | 4.1g |
5mm | 2.1g | 5.6g |
6mm | 2.8g | 6g |
7mm | 3.5g | 10g |
8mm | 4.9g | 14g |
9mm | 6g | 22g |
10mm | 8g | 26g |
11mm | 10g | 29g |
12mm | 12g | 32g |
13mm | 13g | 36g |
14mm | 14g | 40g |
15mm | 18g | 46g |
16mm | 22g | 52g |
17mm | 25g | 26g |
18mm | 27g | 34g |
19mm | 30g | 41g |
20mm | 34g | 50g |
21mm | 36g | 54g |
22mm | 40g | 60g |
23mm | 46g | 64g |
24mm | 50g | 68g |
25mm | 55g | 74g |
26mm | 62g | 76g |
27mm | 67g | 82g |
28mm | 70g | 94g |
29mm | N/A | 106g |
30mm | N/A | 112g |
31mm | N/A | 117g |
32mm | N/A | 122g |
33mm | N/A | 130g |
34mm | N/A | 138g |
35mm | N/A | 148g |
36mm | N/A | 158g |
37mm | N/A | 168g |
38mm | N/A | 178g |
What Customers Had to Say About Glass:
What Customers Had to Say About Steel:
Whether you choose to go with the glass or the steel stretching plugs, we don't think there's a wrong answer! There's incredible ease to stretching with either material and it truly just comes down to personal preference. The big win here is the 1mm incremental sizing! Give these a try and watch your stretching dreams come true. We're always glad to help if you have any questions. Happy stretching!
Get to Know the Zodiac Signs
As Aries SZN comes to a close, and we head into Taurus SZN, we wanted to take a little time to get to know our zodiac signs! Plus, your favorite jewelry company, Arctic Buffalo, is an Aries! Arctic Buffalo’s birthday is April 9th, so we’re celebrating with a zodiac blog! The Earth’s 360-degree orbit is broken up into 30-degree sectors giving us these twelve zodiac signs. Aries season starts on the first day of spring which is known as the vernal equinox and ends on April 19th. The western zodiac signs, in order, include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Kicking off getting to know our zodiac signs with Aries baby!
Aries
Dates: March 21st – April 19th
Symbol: The Ram
Element: Fire
Personality traits: Determined, blunt, positive, fearless, and assured
Famous Aries’: Reese Witherspoon, Chaka Khan, Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, Keira Knightley, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Fergie, Celine Dion, Eddie Murphy, Robert Downey Jr.
Taurus
Dates: April 20th – May 20th
Symbol: The Bull
Element: Earth
Personality traits: Social, desire stability, hardworking, ambitious, tenacious, and strong in their opinions
Famous Taurus’: Adele, Queen Elizabeth, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, Channing Tatum, Lizzo, Jerry Seinfield, Travis Scott, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Gemini
Dates: May 21st – June 20th
Symbol: Twin
Element: Air
Personality traits: Extroverted, clever, adaptable, loyal, creative and daring
Famous Geminis: Aly Raisman, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Amy Schumer, Mark Wahlberg, Iggy Azalea, Michael Cera, Liam Neeson, Kanye West, Natalie Portman, Venus Williams, Kendrick Lamar
Cancer
Dates: June 21st – July 22nd
Symbol: Crab
Element: Water
Personality traits: Nurturing, loving, lighthearted, humorous, entertainers, and loyal
Famous Cancers: Meryl Streep, Chris Pratt, Ariana Grande, Vin Diesel, Fantasia Barrino, Tom Cruise, Post Malone, Kevin Hart, Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell, Kristen Bell, Julianne Hough
Leo
Dates: July 23rd – August 22nd
Symbol: Lion
Element: Fire
Personality traits: Attentive, generous, big personalities, leaders, confident and driven
Famous Leos: Jennifer Lopez, Barak Obama, Sandra Bullock, Mick Jagger, Jason Momoa, Tom Brady, Meghan Markle, Robert de Niro, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lawrence, Ben Affleck, Steve Carell
Virgo
Dates: August 23rd – September 22nd
Symbol: Maiden
Element: Earth
Personality traits: Patient, creative, reliable, elegant, funny, and witty
Famous Virgos: Blake Lively, Keke Palmer, Melissa McCarthy, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Tyler Perry, Zendaya, Salma Hayek, Kobe Bryant, Freddie Mercury, Keanu Reeves, Avicii, Adam Sandler
Libra
Dates: September 23rd – October 22nd
Symbol: Scales
Element: Air
Personality traits: Friendly, peaceful, balanced, dreamers, fair-minded and cooperative
Famous Libras: Gwenyth Paltrow, Eminem, Bruno Mars, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, John Lennon, Gandhi, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Cardi B, Doja Cat, Kelly Ripa, John Krasinski
Scorpio
Dates: October 23rd – November 21st
Symbol: Scorpion
Element: Water
Personality traits: Bold, mysterious, creative, passionate, smart and stoic
Famous Scorpios: Whoopi Goldberg, Drake, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, Gabrielle Union, Frank Ocean, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Ciara, Matthew McConaughey
Sagittarius
Dates: November 22nd – December 21st
Symbol: Archer
Element: Fire
Personality traits: Loyal, assertive, intelligent, extroverted, lively, passionate and philosophical
Famous Sagittarius’: Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, DJ Khaled, Tina Turner, Trey Songz, Jay-Z, Tyra Banks, Nicki Minaj, Samuel L. Jackson
Capricorn
Dates: December 22nd – January 19th
Symbol: Sea Goat
Element: Earth
Personality traits: Realistic, practical, ambitious, mature, grounded and a like to keep a tight social circle
Famous Capricorns: Martin Luther King Jr., LeBron James, Denzel Washington, Nicolas Cage, Ellie Goulding, Betty White, Calvin Harris, Kit Harington, Bradley Cooper, Kate Middleton
Aquarius
Dates: January 20th – February 18th
Symbol: Water Bearer
Element: Air
Personality traits: Clever, optimistic, self-reliant, free-spirited, eccentric, innovative and progressive
Famous Aquarius’: Alicia Keys, Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake, Michael B. Jordan, Emma Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Kelly Rowland, The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion, Michael Jordan, Niel Diamond
Pisces
Dates: February 19th – March 20th
Symbol: Fish
Element: Water
Personality traits: Emotionally aware, wise, open-minded, driven and in touch with their feelings
Famous Pisces’: Rihanna, Simone Biles, Tyler the Creator, Justin Bieber, Flavor Flav, Drew Barrymore, Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Jon Bon Jovi, Dakota Fanning, Elliot Page, William Macy
As the Earth rotates, it causes the sun to appear to be in front of one of these zodiac constellations, which determines what zodiac season it is. Each sign has great qualities that make them unique from one another and allows you to have a bond with the people you share a zodiac sign with. While we may be slightly biased towards Aries SZN because that is Arctic Buffalo’s season, there are some insanely cool people that you can find with every sign. Rep your zodiac with pride by wearing a pair of our stainless steel zodiac tunnels!
Plug Pairings with the Top Cities to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Boston, Massachusetts // Metallic Green Double Flare Glass Plugs:
Chicago, Illinois // Green Cat Eye Plugs:
New Orleans, Louisiana // Green with Yellow and Pink Spiral Glass Plugs:
New York, New York // Rose Gold Stainless Steel Peacock Tunnels with CZ Gems:
Philidelphia, Pennsylvania // Green Line Jasper Plugs:
Arctic Buffalo 2021 Gift Guide
Stretching Balm: A MUST
1. Can help fight infection
2. Can repair skin and reduce swelling and scarring
3. Can soothe irritation
What you've had to say:
NEW SIZES UP TO 36 MM: Steel Stretching Plugs
1) Single Flare Style
Single flared ear plugs only have a flare on one side, which makes insertion and removal extremely easy. This is important when you’re trying to size up because you may be dealing with some inflammation or irritated skin, which causes your stretched hole to be tighter around the plug than it would be fully healed. All our single flare plugs come with an o-ring included to keep each piece in place, so you don’t have to worry about the plug sliding around. The single flare style makes sizing up simple! 🤗
If you need extra o-rings check out our o-ring collection to get packs of 10 for only $1.75!
Photo: Paula D.
2) 316L Stainless Steel Material
Surgical stainless steel is a material that is stretching approved by Arctic Buffalo. We want you to have the best experience possible with our company and products, so we are here to be completely transparent with you when it comes to everything stretching. A material like steel is a primal option when stretching, because it minimizes the risk of prolonging an infection when irritation occurs. All our single flare stainless steel plugs are made of high quality 316L stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about what is in contact with your ears! Not to mention, steel is an extremely durable material, so these will not be easily dented or damaged. 🔗
Shop all of our steel products here!
3) Machined Steel
The 316L stainless steel that these stretching plugs are made from is an extremely high-quality and durable steel. There is more room for inconsistencies when items are handmade, like our stretching glass. Our steel plugs are made with machinery, so the sizes are more consistent. When you are working to size up, a small difference in sizing can make a big difference in the fit the plug will have in your ears, especially when you have stubborn ones. With the stainless steel single flare plugs, there is less of a concern that the sizes may not be exactly perfect.
4) Sizing in 1mm Increments
Arctic Buffalo is unique because we offer sizing in 1mm increments. This is probably THE most important reason to use our stretching plugs when sizing up. ‼️ The more slowly you stretch, the healthier your ears will be. Skipping sizes when stretching may cause more ripping to the skin than actual stretching, which will cause your earlobe to be thinner than it would be if you took your time. If your earlobe is too thin, it will be hard to reach the larger sizes. If you’re not looking to stretch super large and want to let your piercing eventually go back to a smaller size, the damage from skipping sizes will make it much harder to get back to that non-stretched look. Human skin only has a certain amount of elasticity, so going too big too fast is enough to cause damage to the elasticity of your ears.🚫
Check out our stretching guide for all the details on the best ways to stretch and what to avoid when sizing up!
Testimonials ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“These are perfect. They fit very comfortably without allergic reaction. They have not changed colors nor caused any discomfort whatsoever. I recommend them for stretching as I had no pain stretching with them. They are the ones I wear to work most days.” -Alice S
“Simple, well constructed, stylish, and the rounded ends are easy to stretch with!” -Amanda K
“These are amazing! Just what I was looking for! They have some weight to them without being bulky - perfect for stretching!” -Madeline
“I usually wear glass plugs (I find them more comfortable in my metal-sensitive ears), but sometimes the size tolerances are a little off. The weight and precise sizing of these steel plugs were exactly what I needed to size up.” -Dana R.
“These are so awesome! I was wearing acrylic plugs before I got these and even at a small size (8g) my ears would start to get itchy here and there and I’d find ear shmoo on them whenever I took them out to clean. I’ve been wearing these for a few days now and they are so comfortable! They look like they might be a bit wider than my acrylics too but they slid right in. Plus they are great for work. No more wearing my hair down lol” -Taryn
“Best plugs to put in after stretching BY FAR! I’ve tried to look for a heavy set of plugs like these forever, finally found them here! 5/5 or 10/10 whatever you’d like these are the best to use for stretching to the next size up. Now just waiting to get a pair of 0g.” -Danny Z.
“My order came in 2 days earlier then expected! The weight of the stainless steel plugs really does help with the whole stretching process.” -Darian M.
Gallery 📸
Top Row (Left to Right): Nicholas B., Wendy S., Gabrielle H.
Bottom Row (Left to Right): Jasper K., Darian M., Hillary C.
Click HERE to see the full customer gallery on our website!
SHOP STAINLESS STEEL SINGLE FLARE PLUGS HERE 🛒
Arctic Buffalo Stretching Scientists: Hear their Stories
Meet Sergio
"I enjoy music and crafting. 🎧 Just recently bought a penny board ( nickel ) called THE ZOMBIE and customized it. 🛹 Also i picked up another hobby during this pandemic and started collecting crystals and stones. 🔮"
Sergio's Stretching Story
"When I started. I had tappers and tunnels that were surgical steal. The hardest part was to understand when my ears were ready for the next stretch. At some point I ended up ditching the tappers and using the tape method. I have had lots to learn through out the journey and when I was at my goal size I decided to continue the journey to a new goal of 1inch ( 25mm ) instead of going back to using tape I saw artic Buffalo having these glass plugs in single mm increments of each size! I decided to but From 20 to 25. I am at 23 right now and just the other day I was able to fit the 24 but decided another week before actually leaving them in.. using the glass plugs have made it much easier to stretch! I would highly recommend stretching with artic buffalo's glass Plugs HANDS DOWN!"Meet Charice
"I work as a Nurse & I enjoy Music 🎶, Basketball 🏀, Hair, Makeup Fashion 💄& Buying different jewelry for me multiple ear Piercings! I travel often with my Daughters to watch their Basketball Games. I used to do my Friends Makeup whenever I had spare time before Covid, but had to stop due to the Virus. I love to try different makeup brands! My Daughters are always telling me I should upload Makeup & Plug reviews on my YouTube Channel 📹, lol. Between work & Basketball events, I’m trying to find time to do so. You may see me some time in the future on YouTube! 🥰"
Charice's Stretching Story
"When I first started stretching, I purchased a steel kit from Amazon (I didn’t know better). Once I reached 10g, I realized Arctic Buffalo had Single Flare Glass Plugs. I thought to myself that this seems like a better & safer way to stretch. So I purchased my Glass plugs from 8g-16mm (5/8) & my journey was smooth sailing! I honestly didn’t have any issues at all. I waited 3-4 months between stretches & I got to my goal size with ease. I am apart of a Facebook group that’s all about body modification & stretching is a big part of that group. I share my journey with the group & I am constantly referring newbies to the stretching game to Arctic Buffalo’s site to use their single flare glass plugs for stretching. I am now stretching my Conch & I am using nothing else but their glass plugs. I swear by AB SF Glass plugs! I am so happy I found them so early on in my stretching journey!"Meet Nicole
"In my free time I love playing video games and streaming! 🎮 I recently got a brand new gaming PC to get my gaming career going as far as being a content creator in the near future. I also play acoustic guitar and the cajon drum 🥁 as well when I want to make music or just play covers of the songs I love so much. When it comes down to relaxing for the night, I play with my dog Molly! She is an American Pitbull Terrier and I love her with all my heart. 🐾"
Nicole's Stretching Story
Meet Breanna

Breanna's Stretching Story
"I knew I wanted to stretch my ears since I was around ten. I know that’s a bit odd, but I’ve wanted to be modified for a long time! I started stretching with tapers, but soon learned that the route to a healthy and happy ear is usually with glass plugs and I’ve had no problems since the switch! I’ve got a whole case full of the Single Flare Black Glass Plugs from Arctic Buffalo starting from teeny tiny sizes, and I couldn’t be happier with the way my ears are turning out! I know for some people it’s just stretched ears, but it’s really a pretty big part of my self-identity now and I wouldn’t take them out for anyone. Being modified helped me a lot with my anxiety in terms of being who I want to be and looking how I want to look despite what people think. Ten year old me would be proud and I’m glad to be a part of the modified community. Arctic Buffalo has made my stretching journey safe, affordable, fashionable and painless with quality plugs in every millimetre increment!"
Shop: Yellow Cat Eye Single Flare Plugs
Shop: Single Flare Black Glass Plugs
Meet Karlie
Karlie's Stretching Story
"I started stretching my ears when I was 16 years old and at first I went pretty fast. As I got older I learned about the risks of jumping sizes and stretching too quickly, and one of my ears got some minor damage from a big jump (I believe it was either 0g or 00g). For a while I didn’t think I would be able to stretch my ears anymore beyond that, but luckily it wasn’t too serious. I never had a goal size really, but I knew I wanted my ears to be big enough that one can tell they’re stretched. Because I was planning to be in a professional career, I still wanted my stretched ears to be somewhat discrete depending on the jewelry. My go-to plugs have always been stone plugs for that reason, as well as the comfort. I invested in a variety of stone plugs from Arctic Buffalo back in college so I could slowly and naturally continue stretching my ears by the weight of the stone material. I love the beautiful, organic selection of Arctic Buffalo’s stones, and my favorite stone I always get in every size is rose quartz. Whether I end up staying at 5/8” (which I have absolutely loved this size for the past couple of years) or someday go just a little bigger, I’ll always come back to Arctic Buffalo to treat myself to cute and comfortable jewelry!"
Shop: Rose Quartz Plugs
Meet Neal
"I'm a food nerd I got my degree in culinary arts. 🍴 I work as a cook at a restaurant called Blue ridge kitchen in sebastopol california and have aspiration of becoming a chef. 🍝 When I am able I volunteer cook for older folks and families who were displaced by the fires in the area with a group called sonoma family meal. 🚒 I have two kids. Spend alot of free time getting tattoos, I'm a nerd for adventure time and video games. 👾"
Neal's Stretching Story
Shop: Ebony Wood Double Flare Tunnels
Shop: Single Flare Glass Plugs
Now that you have heard what works for some of our other buffs, here's an Arctic Buffalo wrap up!
1) Never skip sizes! - We provide the 1mm increments for a reason 😉
2) Massage your lobes! - Massaging your lobes after your shower increases blood circulation and can help improve elasticity 🚿
3) Sea salt soaks! - Clean your ears at least once, preferably twice, daily with 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt dissolved in warm water 🌊
4) Take your vitamins! - Vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E, B-complex, antioxidants, and Echinacea can help the skin heal faster 💊
5) Do NOT use organic materials to stretch! - You should only stretch with surgical steel, titanium or glass...never use wood, bone, horn, silicone or acrylic materials! 🚫
6) Use lubricants! Lubricants like jojoba oil or vitamin E oil, and GaugeGear stretching balm help the jewelry slide right in 👂🏾
Spring Cleaning and Wood Oiling
What to Avoid: Water and rubbing alcohol
🧼 Spring Cleaning: Rubbing alcohol
Although you can’t use rubbing alcohol on your wood jewelry, there are areas where it can be put to good use. So, what should you use alcohol for regarding your spring cleaning? Rubbing alcohol is an awesome disinfectant! Mix one part water and one part rubbing alcohol for an eco-friendly homemade disinfectant. For this spring-cleaning task, use rubbing alcohol to clean the sinks! It seems odd to clean the sinks when water and soap go down the drain regularly, but you would be surprised at what gets caked up down there. Using rubbing alcohol and a dry cloth, you can buff your sinks to shiny perfection. ✨ After that’s done, spray a little extra rubbing alcohol down the sink to kill any bacteria, break down resting gunk, and leave your sink in a shimmering condition.
Source: https://cleanmyspace.com/rubbingalcohol/
The Why Behind Oiling: Protection
🧼 Spring Cleaning: Reduce bacteria in the home
We use oil to reduce bacteria growth on our plugs. In the spirit of spring cleaning, let’s also reduce the bacteria in our homes. Did you know your kitchen is known to have more bacteria than your bathroom? The place where you prepare food and eat it! GROSS! If you want to reduce bacteria in your home, this is the place to start.
Use three tablespoons of bleach in up to a quart of water for the germ fighter you didn’t know you needed! Use an older white towel and this solution to wipe down highly touched areas, such as the fridge handles, light switches, sink knobs, microwave buttons, and kitchen surfaces. Tackling the kitchen will leave you feeling much cleaner through the entirety of your home. No one wants extra company living in their home rent free...especially when it’s germs!
Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/longevity/info-04-2010/where_the_germs_are_lurking_in_your_home.html
The Process
Step 1: Prepare for the jewelry to be oiled
Now that you understand the importance of oiling your wood jewelry, we’re going to explain how you do it properly. Before you begin, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands. Your hands need to be clean to avoid getting unwanted bacteria into the pores of the wood. Once your hands are clean, you are ready to go! First, use a cloth to wipe the piece of jewelry off. This will remove any dust or dead skin accumulated from the jewelry laying around that may be resting on the surface.🧼 Spring Cleaning: Dust your furniture
Removing dust and debris in preparation of your jewelry to be oiled has us in the mood to remove dust and dead skin in our house! Did you know dust is a mix of skin cells, hair, clothing fibers, bacteria, dust mites, bits of dead bugs, soil particles, pollen, and microscopic specks of plastic?! That’s why it is important to keep up on your dusting. Haven’t been? No biggie, but now’s the time.
To match this step of the oiling process, we think you should dust all your furniture. Allergies are already at an all-time high in the spring, so there’s no need to make it worse by breathing in dirt and dust. Don’t have a feather duster? You’re in luck. The best way to remove dust is just using a water-dampened cloth. This allows you to collect the dust and get rid of it, rather than just spreading it into the air with a feather duster. When dust gets back into the air, you end up just breathing it back in, which kind of defeats the whole purpose of dusting, right? Just make sure that the damp cloth doesn’t touch your freshly wiped jewelry. 😉
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a24221/get-rid-of-dust/
Step 2: Massage the oil into your jewelry
Next, you will want to grab a paper towel and the oil you are using. Many types of oil will work to moisturize your jewelry. Arctic Buffalo recommends using jojoba or vitamin E oil. Add a fingernail-sized drop of oil to the paper towel for larger sizes and half that amount for smaller sizes. Gently massage the oiled paper towel into the wood. The piece of jewelry should be completely covered but not saturated. You do not want your piece of jewelry to be soaking in oil, as it will expand after absorption.🧼 Spring Cleaning: Clean your carpet
Step 3: Finding the small areas
When working with jewelry that has carvings or small flares, it may be difficult to get the surface covered entirely. But it is very important to do so that no discoloration occurs on the wood. You want to make sure you are evenly oiling the entire surface, including every small groove or crevice. This is particularly important when working with single or double flared jewelry, because the flare is usually quite small. When working with small grooves, it is helpful to use a Q-tip to make sure you are getting to those hard-to-reach spots. Just dip the Q-tip in oil so that all the fibers are moisturized and use the Q-tip like a paint brush. 🖌
🧼 Spring Cleaning: Vacuum out the couch
Speaking of getting into small crevices, let’s talk about the crevices of your couch. We know all too well that our couch cracks love to swallow up coins, Cheetos and other unwanted Netflix partners. No one wants to run their hands through your 6-month-old crumbs, dirt, sticky change or wrappers while looking for their phone, keys, or your couch’s favorite, the TV remote. 🛋 We all know this couch. Don’t make this your couch! How much more enjoyable would it be to hang out on (or search through) a couch that you knew was clean underneath? We’re going to guess it’s pretty satisfying. So, for this spring-cleaning task, we’re vacuuming our couch cushions and every nook and cranny underneath.
Step 4: Let your plugs dry
Once you have the entire surface of the wood evenly covered, place it back on the paper towel to sit overnight. 🌙 Keep in mind that the wood should feel tacky immediately after you get done oiling. Your plugs will dry as the oil is fully absorbed. Avoid wearing the jewelry until the next morning or at least 8 hours, so that the oil can soak in properly. The next morning, you will want to brush off any paper towel fibers potentially resting on the plug, and you are good to go!
🧼 Spring Cleaning: Fresh air and fragrance
When it comes to oiling your wood jewelry, there are many factors that come into play such as the climate you live in, how often you wear them, and the type of wood used. For a general rule of thumb, you should be oiling your jewelry at least once a month. For best results with wood products, make sure you are not wearing your wood jewelry for multiple days and nights in a row. With such a porous material, you need to allow the wood and your ears to breathe. Also note that wood should only be worn in healed ears. Behind every stretched ear is a routine to keep the ear healthy and looking awesome. Make sure you have a regimen for yours!
Start the spring season with a clean home, clean jewelry and clean ears. Decluttering your life might be just the thing you need to spark a mental reset! Start the new season off right in 2021 with these cleaning tips and tricks. Happy spring buffs! Warmer weather is ahead! 🌞
Click here to check out our short video on how to oil!
Perfect Pairings that will Shamrock your World: Leprechaun’s Plug Picks + Celebratory Cocktails
Aventurine Plugs or Tunnels + Green Shimmer Liqueur
Green Shimmer Liqueur: Did a leprechaun come up with this magically tasty cocktail? The shimmer of this cocktail almost makes it too beautiful to drink...but who are we kidding, we’re for sure going to be sipping on this cocktail on March 17th. Combine the ingredients in a glass, swirl the glitter, and you’re done. You’ve found the pot of gold with this cocktail! The secret ingredient is luster petal dust, which is edible and non-toxic. The best part is, you can really make this drink with whatever you want, and just add the dust for some twinkle! Here is our recommendation below, with the measurements for one shimmery shamrock drink.
Ingredients:
- Fruity white wine
- 1.5 oz. vodka
- 1-3 drops of green food coloring
- Simple syrup to taste
- Lime juice to taste
- Luster petal dust (to your desired shimmer)
Perfect pairing: The shine of this stone resembles the shine of this drink, making for the perfect pairing! First on the list, we have the aventurine plugs or tunnels. Aventurine is a form of quartz and can range from light green to dark green. We love the idea of wearing this natural green stone on St. Patrick’s Day this year. The authenticity of the green coloring makes it seem like you just so happened to be wearing the perfect accessory for the day without even trying!
Source: The Flavor Bender
Image Source: Webstaurant Store
Kambaba Jasper Keyhole Hangers + Irish Whiskey Green Sangria
Irish Whiskey Green Sangria: The Irish Whiskey Green Sangria is light green and full of fruit. Beautiful and delicious. This fruity sangria has a touch of whiskey and will get you in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, without drinking something full of green food coloring. All you will need for this drink is fruit, lime juice, sugar, white wine, club soda, and of course, Irish Whiskey. Add it all to a pitcher, let sit for an hour, and enjoy your sangria!
Ingredients:
- 1 green apple cubed
- 2 green pears sliced
- 2 kiwis (peeled and sliced)
- 1 cup of green grapes
- 2 large limes sliced
- 4 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 bottle of white wine
- ½ cup of Irish Whiskey
- ¼ cup of lime juice
- 1 cup of club soda
Perfect pairing: To match the natural vibe of all the fruit in this delicious sangria, we have the kambaba jasper keyhole hangers. Kambaba Jasper is algae that has fossilized over time. That’s the coolest part about stone jewelry...each hanger is unique and distinctive in its own way, making whatever pair you get one-of-a-kind. If you’re looking to take part in the holiday without going over the top, these are the hangers for you. A perfectly understated St. Patrick’s Day look that will help you avoid a pinch while keeping it cool and subtle.
Source and Image Source: Sugar and Charm
Green Line Jasper Plugs + Boozy Lucky Charms Cereal Milkshake
Boozy Lucky Charms Cereal Milkshake: Feelin’ lucky? You should be. This drink concoction will change your life! It’s so dang tasty, you would never know there is booze in it. A light green boozy shake with Lucky Charms marshmallows on top? Nothing screams St. Patrick’s Day like this drink...and it’s oh so colorful! Start with a food processor to blend the marshmallows until they are a powdery consistency. Add that powder to a bowl of milk and let that sit for 30 minutes, so the milk can absorb all that sugary deliciousness. Once that has soaked, you’re ready to make your drinks! This drink recipe is sure to bring you some luck of the Irish.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of Lucky Charms marshmallows
- 2 cups milk
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/3 cup marshmallow vodka
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A batch, or extra leftover marshmallow frosting
- Extra cereal for topping
Perfect pairing: The very light green in this stone inspired us to match these plugs with the light green leprechaun shake. The green line jasper plugs have many different shades of green swirling through that range from dark green to mint green. While we can’t guarantee what the overall shade of green the pair you receive will be, we can guarantee they will be green! Our favorite earthy plugs. Showcase the beauty of mother nature by wearing the color that portrays it best...green! Is mother nature responsible for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow too?! 🌈
Source and Image Source: How Sweet Eats
Glow Green Thick Silicone Plugs + Cucumber Pineapple –Tequila Cooler
Cucumber Pineapple-Tequila Cooler: This drink may not be fully green or made of Irish Whiskey...but it still works great for this holiday. The drink is closer to yellow in coloring, but once you throw in a fun green straw and a cucumber garnish, it works wonders for St. Paddy's Day. Blend the pineapple, limes, and cucumber, shake up your tequila, then add the agave and salt. So simple and so sweet! This will help you get your party pants on this holiday. 🤪
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh pineapple cubes
- 2 limes (skin removed)
- 1 seedless European cucumber (peeled), and extra cucumber for garnish
- 4 oz. silver tequila
- 1 ½ cups ice cubes (plus more for serving)
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- Pinch of kosher salt
Perfect pairing: We are pairing the glow green silicone plugs with this tequila drink. We're taking the classic St. Patty’s Day green and giving it a little twist by going full neon. The glow green silicone plugs are a fun option to spice up the holiday. We love this creative and lively take on a classic St. Patrick’s Day. Light up the holiday in these glow in the dark, neon green plugs!
Source: Food Network
Image Source: Edamam
Matte Dark Green Thin Silicone Tunnels + Frozen Mango Mojito-Rita
Ingredients:
- Flaky sea salt
- 1/3 cup (2.5 oz.) silver tequila
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ cup frozen mango chunks
- 2 teaspoons honey, more or less to taste
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, plus more for serving
- 1 cup ice
- Sparkling water for topping (optional)
Perfect pairing: With no doubt, we had to pair this dark green frozen fantasy drink with our unique matte dark green thin silicone tunnels. If you’re looking for a darker green to wear this year, you need to check these out! The dark, rich green coloring is stunning, and the matte finish of the silicone makes these stand out from your typical pair of tunnels. These are the ideal option for spending St. Patrick’s Day at home because they’re not only a bada** and festive option for the day, but also extremely lightweight and comfortable! Let loose!
Source and Image Source: Half Baked Harvest
Green Glass Keyhole Weight Hangers or Green Double Flare Glass Plugs + Green Dublin Cocktail
St. Patrick’s Day Green Dublin Cocktail: Bring the green Chicago river to you this St. Patrick’s Day with the green Dublin cocktail. It’s fun, it’s festive, and it’s a step up from green beer. The alcohol of choice in this drink? Well, Irish Whiskey of course. The prep time for this cocktail is only 5 minutes, which makes it taste that much better. After all, who wants to work on a holiday? Get your ingredients and a cocktail shaker, and you will be feelin’ good in no time. 😎
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. Irish Whiskey
- 4 oz. white cranberry juice
- 2 oz. sour apple schnapps
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- 1 green apple cut into thin slices
Perfect pairing: Here we have your classic St. Patrick’s Day green with a unique translucent aspect...just like the drink! If you’re looking to make a statement this holiday, go with the green glass keyhole weight hangers. They are sure to turn heads! If you’re wanting more of an understated look, then the green double flare glass plugs are for you. How festive!
Source and Image Source: Culinary Ginger
Green with White Swirl Single Flare Glass Plugs + Key Lime Gimlet
Key Lime Gimlet: Lime is probably the most common flavor you think of when mixing up a cocktail that you want to be green. Lime is the perfect garnish for so many different drinks because of the delicious tart flavor that masks the taste of alcohol. This drink is so quick and easy, even you will be wondering how it tastes so damn good. All you need to do is mix the ingredients, chill, and serve...no lag time! Voila!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups seltzer
- 1 cup gin
- ½ cup simple syrup
- ½ cup key lime juice
- Key lime slices, for serving
Perfect pairing: The green with white swirl single flare glass plugs are the perfect key lime drink pairing and so f’ing cool. The tie-dye look is sure to lift your spirits on this holiday. The white swirled through the green really makes the green pop! No one will be asking you if you’re wearing green when you have these in, because it’s impossible not to notice how unique and spunky these are!
Source and Image Source: Country Living
Metallic Green Double Flare Plugs + Spicy Cucumber Jalapeño Marg
Spicy Cucumber Jalapeno Marg: Let’s spice up this St. Paddy's Day with the cucumber jalapeno marg! Who says tequila can’t be an Irish drink?! Today it is. Mix everything in a pitcher and let sit for an hour, so your margarita can absorb all the delicious flavors! Add some lime juice to the rim, dip in salt, and pour your fiery and fresh cocktail over ice. Garnish with a cucumber slice and jalapeno for the full effect. You will feel like a five-star bartender after making this drink!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup tequila
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- ¼ cup simple syrup
- 1 jalapeno pepper (halved and seeded)
- 4 thin slices of cucumber (or more to taste)
- 4 lime wedges
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- Cucumber for garnish
- Ice (as needed)
Perfect pairing: To match the fun twist on a classic Irish cocktail, we’re pairing this drink with our edgy metallic green double flare glass plugs. You’re wearing green like you’re supposed to but originating it with the metallic flair. Take that classic green and make it a wee bit more exciting! Post this green Irish cocktail with you in your Irish-inspired plugs and watch those reactions roll in. 😍
Source and Image Source: All Recipes
Green Cat Eye Plugs + Irish Flag Shot
Irish Flag Shot: You can’t get any more Irish than this Irish flag shot! This drink has a lot of character in a teeny tiny glass. The shot has the colors of the Irish flag and is full of booze to help you celebrate the Irish way...and the right way. 😉 To get the picture-perfect shot, you are going to need shot glasses, squeeze bottles (for better control), and a small spoon. You will want to submerge the tip of your small spoon into the bottom layer of crème de menthe, carefully pour the Baileys over the back of the spoon to where it sits on top of the crème de menthe. Rinse your spoon and repeat with the orange liqueur. Looks like a high-quality shooter, is simple to make, and tastes incredible! That’s how you do it on St. Paddy's Day!
Ingredients:
- 1 part crème de menthe
- 1 part Baileys Irish Cream
- 1 part Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur
Perfect pairing: Of course, we had to pair the Irish flag shot with the most fitting pair of plugs we have for the occasion. The green cat eye plugs are the ideal green color for this holiday full of shamrocks, luck, and leprechauns. Perfectly green with a slight glimmer from the extremely smooth surface. On March 17th, these plugs will scream St. Patrick’s Day but any other day of the year, they’re just a radiant pair of beautiful green plugs that will make you feel like a boss!
Source and Image Source: Homemade Hooplah
Green Foil Spiral Glass Plugs + Leprechaun Mimosas
Leprechaun Mimosas: You can’t get an easier drink recipe with mimosas! Not to mention, they’re arguably the best daytime drink...and they go down so easily! All you need for this recipe is champagne, orange juice, and blue Curaçao. Fill your flute 1/3 of the way with orange juice, add a splash of the blue Curaçao, then fill your glass the rest of the way with champagne. Watch your drink turn to the perfect shade of green in seconds!
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle chilled champagne
- 2–4 cups pulp-free orange juice
- 1 cup Blue Curaçao
Perfect pairing: The perfect pairing for your sparkling wine is a set of the sparkling green foil spiral plugs. These are shimmery and beautiful! The green is the perfect match for a St. Paddy's Day green and the glitter inside elevates these to the next level. You can even see some gold glitter in these plugs...the pot of gold perhaps? We’ll never know. But what we do know, is that you will be stuntin’ in these plugs this St. Patrick’s Day.
Source and Image Source: Happy Go Lucky
We are obsessed with all of these St. Patrick’s Day cocktails. Delicious recipes with a magical touch. They’re just a little bit of a step up from your usual green beer. Any of these are perfect for the holiday, it just comes down to personal preference of style flavor. You won’t catch yourself saying “Irish you were beer,” to these crazy cocktails!
Green accessories are the way to go this St. Patrick’s Day, especially when spending it at home. They give you a green festive touch to help you avoid a pinch but are functional for LONG-term use after the holiday is over. Just like the drinks, these accessories meet the one requirement for the day: being green. Choose whatever pair suits you best because any of them will shamrock your world!
We hope you feel lucky stumbling across these creative ideas of what you can wear and sip on this St. Patrick’s Day. We can’t wait to see what mixing and matching you come up with! If you don’t wear green and end up getting pinched...don’t say we didn’t try to help. 😉🍀 Have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
COMMENT on this blog and let us know what your favorite green product and favorite green drink were!