Mini Lantern Earrings: a Wearable Lightshow

I created a pair of 3D printed lantern earrings that light up using a simple LED circuit. Inspired by traditional lanterns, this wearable combines fashion with function by integrating electronics into a lightweight, eye-catching design. I wanted to explore how 3D printing and basic electronics can be used to create expressive, sustainable accessories, so I repurposed old earrings and kept the build minimal to reduce waste. This project blends creativity, technology, and reuse into a fun, glowing statement piece.

For this project, I used a 3D lantern model from Thingiverse as the base for the earrings, since I’m still learning how to design my own 3D models. I printed the model using PLA filament on a Creality Ender 3. For the lighting component, I used small 3V LEDs powered by CR2032 coin cell batteries, which were housed inside the model itself after I scaled it up to fit the circuit. I assembled everything using a hot glue gun, added a bit of length with wire, and attached standard hook-style earring findings to make them wearable. Most of the materials, including the LEDs, batteries, and jewelry hooks, were sourced from the art department at my school!

I started by browsing Thingiverse for a suitable lantern model that would work well as an earring. The first model I chose looked great, but it had too many intricate elements that made it difficult to scale down. I attempted to print it three times, tweaking the settings and troubleshooting, but unfortunately, the print kept failing, either due to fine details not adhering properly or the print stopping midway. After those attempts, I decided to switch to a simpler model.

After selecting a second model with a more straightforward design, I imported it into Cura for slicing. I scaled it up just enough to ensure it could fit a small LED and a coin cell battery inside, but also not look too big as earrings. I then sent it for 3D printing using PLA filament on a Creality Ender 3. Throughout the print, I checked in every few hours to make sure everything was printing smoothly and that there were no layer shifts or misprints.

Once the lantern model was successfully printed, I created a simple circuit using a small 3V LED and a CR2032 coin cell battery. Since I had scaled the model appropriately, I was able to house the circuit inside the printed lantern. I secured the LED and battery in place using a hot glue gun. To turn the model into a wearable earring, I added a short length of wire to give it a bit of dangle and attached an old jewelry hook at the top.

There’s a lot of room to evolve this idea! In future versions, I’d love to experiment with smaller batteries to reduce the overall size and weight of the earrings. I would also love to model the lantern myself once I’m more confident with 3D design tools like Fusion 360. Additionally, printing with lighter materials or even flexible filaments could improve wearability. These improvements would make the earrings more comfortable, efficient, and personalized.