Last week, the OnMilwaukee.com editorial staff went down to Summerfest with a crisp, company-issued $20 bill, and tried to find something ridiculous and fun to buy. After we returned with our baubles, we each wrote about our purchase for an article.
I had my caricature done -- something I would never do if I were footing the bill -- but originally I wanted to spend my Jackson on a piece of jewelry that I had seen for sale at previous Summerfests.
I really wanted to find the nose ring that connects via thin silver chain to your earring. I always thought it was completely ridiculous, but for the sake of the assignment, I thought it would fit perfectly into the theme. Sadly, I could not find this.
Every few years, there’s a new ear gimmick -- remember the ear cuff a few years ago? -- and yesterday, while I was at Summerfest with my kids, I found new earring gadgets that I truly like.
This year (and maybe last?), the big thing in festival ear wear is wooden earrings that appear like you have large holes -- called "gauges" -- in your ears. These earrings, called "wooden split expanders," are made by Coco Loco Jewelry, retail for about $20-30, and come in a variety of styles. They are made from a variety of woods, and some are even made from coconuts, hence the name.
Years ago, I started the process to stretch out the holes in my ears and wore earrings called "flesh tunnels," but after having kids, I decided I didn’t want anything on my body stretched out and I took them out.
Now, however, I can have the appearance of gauged ears without actually going through the pain or process. Thanks, Summerfest, for continuously providing us with the latest in trendy ear adornments.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
