Read this before watching: How to Stretch Using the Taping Method In the video I used PTFE tape and a 4g GWS colorfront plug. Although these were already mentioned, they are important enough to point out again: -Never put on so much tape that you have to force the jewelry in (that defeats the purpose of taping). -Don't use taping as a ...

I think the OP is currently at 8g, but they're downsizing to 12g. (Please correct me if I'm wrong)

Get some pliers. These have been working well for me =)

What kind of plugs have you been wearing? It would be best for your ears to downsize all the way to 12g and it is ok to wear CBRs.

Claws aren't necessarily bad.  However, they are only made to be worn in well healed (not freshly pierced/stretched, not irritated) piercings for short periods of time.  Wearing them to sleep isn't such a great idea since they can get knocked around, which may be why your ears were swollen and bleeding. As Jellybean said,your best bet ...

 Perhaps you could say "size" instead of "gauge"?

 [quote user="Rodger"]Hahahaha awesome. Tho the cartilage the punches took out... a bit gross Would you say there's still room in your conch for a 14g hole or two, closer to the ridge, to wear rings in? Just wondering as I'd kinda like conch rings, but I definitely want 2g conch punches too. [/quote] Yeah, there's ...

   just 20 min after getting my 2g conch punches

 [quote user="Rodger"]  For some dumb reason I didn't put the plug in the sink when I was cleaning my tragus jewelry just now... [/quote] I did the same thing this morning when I was washing my plugs.  I managed to retrieve the jewelry, but after seeing all the crap that was in the pipes, I'm not so sure that I want that ...

As long as your ears are healed (not a fresh stretch) it should be fine to change out your jewelry whenever you need to. :)