Everything you have ever wanted to know about ear stretching (Now there is no reason to ask me how I did it, and if one more person does ask me, I will eat them!) DO NOT rush the process, if you do you will get a build up of scar tissue, of there is a chance of a blow out, and there is less of a chance it will go back to it's original size. It IS addicting, in a sence...Keep in mind that what you originally thought would be the biggest you would go is usually not the biggest you will go. The key to good stretching is safe stretching which means CLEAN! make sure everything you put in your ear is clean and make sure you wash your hand before you touch the piercing. The following items are not always safe, and the safest way is to get it professionally done. There are numerous different ways to do the actual process, including using items like claws (first picture shown below). Using things like the teeth part of combs, putting in more and more earrings, knitting needles, pens, and many more. When putting in a bigger earring do it after a shower where it is steamy and your ears are more stretchy. Or you can try putting a cloth under some hot water then putting it on your the piercing. Try lubing up the new earring with vaseline. If you buy a captive bead ring (second picture from the left) and have trouble removing and replacing the bead stretch the hoop a little just enough so it is easier to replace, you can do this with a pair of needle nose pliers. If you buy a circular barbell (third from the left) make sure the bead is very tight. These are much easier than captive bead rings to put in and take out, but try using a towel or cloth when screwing the bead back on to ensure it stays. If you do go with the method of putting in more and more earrings remember to wait until the last earring you put in has healed (about two weeks depending on how your immune system works) before you put in the next one. Keep in mind that because there are spaces between the earrings there is a GREAT chance of infection so make sure you keep it super clean! If you buy a plug, or tunnel with the little rubber stoppers(fourth picture from the left) on the end keep in mind that they get smelly! They are rubber and you sweat, and that isn't a good combination. If you wear them everyday make sure you wash them with shampoo when you are washing your hair. If you don't wear them every day you shouldn't really have this problem. Titanium jewelry (last picture) is much lighter than regular surgical steel jewelry, which is what most jewelry is made of. Titanium comes in a variety of colors. All this information is for doing it yourself, the best and safest way is to just get it done professionally.