Perry Gargano Crush Ear Cuff & Tentacle Corkscrew: Complete Review

Need jewelry that makes a statement without screaming for attention? Want bar tools that actually look good sitting on your counter? The Crush Ear Cuff and Tentacle Corkscrew from Perry Gargano deliver on both fronts. These pieces sit somewhere between art and everyday accessories. They work hard while looking interesting.

Need jewelry that makes a statement without screaming for attention? Want bar tools that actually look good sitting on your counter? The Crush Ear Cuff and Tentacle Corkscrew from Perry Gargano deliver on both fronts. These pieces sit somewhere between art and everyday accessories. They work hard while looking interesting.

Introduction: Understanding Perry Gargano’s Brooklyn Craft

Perry Gargano creates handmade jewelry and home goods in Brooklyn, New York. The brand operates from their Williamsburg studio at 242 Grand Street. Lucky Magazine voted them best local jewelry store. That recognition came from years of consistent quality and unique designs.

The company draws inspiration from nature and iconography. You’ll see tentacles, animals, and organic forms throughout their collection. Everything gets made by hand in Brooklyn. Perry Gargano and his staff craft each piece with attention to detail.

They’ve built a reputation for pieces that blur the line between jewelry and sculpture. Their home goods follow the same philosophy. Form meets function in unexpected ways.

Visit their full collection at https://www.perrygargano.com/ to see the range of designs.

The Crush Ear Cuff: Sculptural Metal That Wraps Your Ear

The Crush Ear Cuff takes inspiration from flowing fabric folds. But instead of soft material, you get solid metal formed into waves and curves.

What You Get: This cuff comes in sterling silver or gold brass. Both versions feature an oxidized finish. The finish adds depth to the curves and creates a vintage look. The piece measures roughly 3 inches and fits most ear sizes.

Price Point: $98

Design Philosophy: The cuff mimics fabric caught mid-flow. The metal captures that frozen moment. The oxidized finish highlights every contour. Light catches different angles as you move.

You don’t need pierced ears to wear this. The cuff wraps around your outer ear. You adjust it once for fit. Then it stays put through normal daily activities.

How It Looks: The vintage finish means this works with both casual and dressy outfits. Wear it with jeans and a t-shirt. Or pair it with a cocktail dress. The sculptural design stands out without clashing.

You can layer it with other earrings if you have piercings. Or wear it solo as your main statement piece. The gold brass version mixes well with silver jewelry. The sterling silver works with gold pieces.

Pros: No piercing required means anyone can try it. The sculptural shape catches light beautifully. Once adjusted, it holds position well. The oxidized finish actually hides minor wear and scratches. You get a handmade piece that doesn’t look mass-produced. The design works for multiple occasions and styles.

Cons: Takes a few tries to get the fit right at first. The oxidized finish will wear slightly with heavy daily use. At $98, it costs more than typical ear cuffs. People with larger or smaller ears might need more adjustment time. The vintage aesthetic won’t suit minimalist tastes.

Real Use Cases: This cuff shines when you want noticed jewelry that doesn’t dominate your look. Perfect for gallery openings, creative workplaces, or date nights. One customer wore it to a wedding and got comments all evening.

The metal holds shape well. You won’t bend it out of form with regular wear. Just handle it carefully when adjusting.

Care Instructions: Remove before applying hairspray or heavy lotions. Clean with a soft cloth. Store it flat when not wearing it. The oxidized finish is intentional, so don’t try to polish it away.

The Tentacle Corkscrew: A Tool That Doubles as Art

Most corkscrews hide in drawers. This one deserves counter space.

Materials and Construction: Solid brass tentacle handle paired with stainless steel corkscrew. The brass gets cast first. Then they add the forged steel component. The steel blade comes from Sheffield, England.

Price: $98

Design Details: The spiral tentacle top measures 3 inches wide. Total height reaches 8 inches. The brass has that same rough-hewn finish Perry Gargano uses across their collection. It looks nautical without being kitschy.

TIME OUT New York named it one of Five Best Corkscrews in 2017. That wasn’t just about looks. The tool actually performs well.

How It Works: The Sheffield steel cuts through corks cleanly. No shredding or breaking. The tentacle handle gives you solid grip and leverage. The weight distribution feels balanced. You’re not wrestling with the bottle.

Display Factor: Leave this on your bar cart or kitchen counter. It looks good enough to show off. People will ask about it. The brass and steel combination creates visual interest.

Practical Performance: This isn’t just decoration. It opens wine bottles efficiently. The corkscrew spiral is the right size and pitch. The handle shape gives you natural leverage points. Most people can use it without struggle.

Pros: Functions as both quality tool and conversation piece. The brass and Sheffield steel mean years of use. The tentacle design is unique without being silly. Makes an excellent gift for wine enthusiasts. The piece has enough weight to feel substantial. Hand-cast brass means each one has slight variations.

Cons: Hand wash only. Dishwashers will discolor the brass. Expensive compared to basic corkscrews. The brass develops patina over time. Some people love aged brass. Others don’t. Not suited for modern minimalist kitchens. Takes up more storage space than standard corkscrews.

Maintenance: Wash with warm soapy water after each use. Dry immediately to slow patina development. The brass will naturally darken. You can polish it to restore shine. Or let it age for character.

Gift Potential: Perfect for housewarming parties or wine lover birthdays. The piece has enough story that it feels special. It comes from a Brooklyn studio with real craftsmanship behind it.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Both pieces share Perry Gargano’s design DNA. Nature-inspired forms. Quality materials. Handcrafted attention. Items that work as both function and conversation.

The Crush Ear Cuff enhances your personal style. The Tentacle Corkscrew upgrades your home space. Both hit the same $98 price point. Both need some care to maintain appearance.

Material Quality: The ear cuff uses sterling silver or brass. The corkscrew combines brass with Sheffield steel. Both use solid materials that last. No plating that wears off. No cheap construction that breaks.

Usage Frequency: You might wear the ear cuff weekly or monthly depending on your style. You’ll use the corkscrew whenever you open wine. Both work for their intended purposes without issues.

Who Buys What: Get the ear cuff if you want artistic jewelry that doesn’t require piercing. Buy the corkscrew if you host dinners, enjoy wine, or want kitchen tools with personality.

The Perry Gargano Difference

Shopping from Perry Gargano means buying from a Brooklyn studio. Not overseas factories. Not mass production lines. Each piece gets made by Perry Gargano and his team.

Quality Standards: Materials are solid throughout. Sterling silver, brass, and Sheffield steel all handle regular use. The finishing work shows careful attention. Hand-cast pieces have slight variations. That adds character instead of looking like defects.

Design Approach: The brand pulls from natural history and iconography. They don’t chase trend cycles. That means pieces stay relevant longer. A tentacle design works now and five years from now.

Company Values: Everything made in USA. Everything handcrafted in Brooklyn. Everything inspected before shipping. That level of control shows in the finished products.

Customer Experience: Perry Gargano handles orders directly from their studio. You can contact them with questions. They know their products because they make them.

Practical Buying Considerations

Maintenance Needs: Both pieces need basic care. Keep the ear cuff away from harsh chemicals. Hand wash the corkscrew. Neither requires difficult upkeep. Just treat them with normal care.

Durability: These are investment pieces built for years of use. The materials won’t break or wear out quickly. Normal use won’t damage them. They handle daily life well.

Value Assessment: $98 each isn’t cheap. But you’re paying for handmade Brooklyn craftsmanship. Mass-produced alternatives cost less but lack the quality and design. These pieces have resale value if you decide to sell later.

Sizing Concerns: The ear cuff fits most ears but takes adjustment. The corkscrew has no sizing issues. It works for any adult hand.

Who Should Buy These Pieces?

Best For: People who appreciate handcrafted items. Anyone tired of mass-produced accessories. Hosts who want their tools to look as good as they work. Jewelry lovers seeking pieces with substance. Gift givers looking for unique presents.

Not Ideal For: Budget shoppers looking for deals. Minimalist aesthetic lovers. People who won’t hand wash bar tools. Anyone wanting trendy, fast-fashion items.

Style Match: The ear cuff works with eclectic, vintage, or artistic styles. The corkscrew fits nautical, eclectic, or vintage-industrial kitchens. Both suit people who like conversation pieces.

Final Verdict

The Crush Ear Cuff delivers sculptural jewelry without piercing requirements. It’s bold enough to notice but versatile enough to wear often.

The Tentacle Corkscrew succeeds as functional tool and display piece. It opens wine efficiently while looking interesting on your counter.

Both represent Perry Gargano’s approach: nature-inspired designs, quality materials, handcrafted construction. Items that work in daily life while feeling special.

Bottom Line: These pieces justify their $98 price through materials, craftsmanship, and design that doesn’t follow passing trends. They’re investments in items you’ll use and enjoy for years.

Recommended If: You value handmade over mass-produced. You want items with story and substance. You’re willing to pay for quality that lasts. You appreciate design that merges function and art.

Skip If: You need the lowest price. You prefer minimalist modern aesthetics. You won’t maintain them properly. You want trendy items that change with seasons.

Where to Purchase

Both items ship directly from Perry Gargano’s Brooklyn studio. Visit https://www.perrygargano.com/ to browse the full collection. The website shows other pieces in their nature-inspired collections too.

Shipping goes out from their Williamsburg location. They handle customer service directly. You can contact them with questions about sizing or products.

Final Thoughts:

Perry Gargano makes pieces that work without sacrificing interesting design. The Crush Ear Cuff brings sculpture to jewelry. The Tentacle Corkscrew adds character to your kitchen. Both items last years through quality construction and timeless designs.

If you want accessories that prompt “where did you get that?” questions while actually performing their jobs well, these pieces deliver. They’re not cheap. But they’re not trying to be. They’re trying to be good. And they succeed.