Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsWhen scouring yard sales and 2nd-hand stores for old watches, try to pick up a wide variety of brands and eras, for the best variety of gears. Or look for bulk watch gears on etsy, ebay or amazon. To get the widest variety of gears, consider both small tins and bulk bags from a few sources.Wear safety glasses when cutting, drilling or punching.Lay out pattern; carefully set aside, away from your hammering surface.Decide the size rivets yo …

Created by: Amy Mickelson   Designer TipsCut the metal sheet to the desired size. File the edges smooth and punch holes in corners and on the bottom. Sand the surfaces and clean.Place inked rubber stamp on flat surface, ink side up. Press the metal piece onto stamped image and remove.If you do not like the design placement or it smudges, use StazOn® Cleaner to remove the image.It may take a few stamping attempts to achieve success. Take your time getting a good stamp before you begin etchin …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsThis simply strung repeating pattern necklace has a finished length of 18"". The wavy disk beads give the design extra dimension and texture.For step-by-step instructions for stringing with beading cable (aka beading wire), see Beading Cable Technique Sheet (PDF).To make sure the toggle clasp is easy to operate, use at least 3 small beads at each end of the necklace.Firmly flatten the crimp tube with non-serrated flat-nose pliers.Suggested Supplies1 pkg …

Created by: Sondra Barrington Designer TipsCut leather flush after measuring desired length. Use a dab of glue inside one cord end. Insert leather into the cord end and gently pinch the cord ends together until secure.Use the hook and eye clasp independent of each other. The hook connects to a large, dramatic ring as a closure on the bracelet. The eye portion of the clasp floats along the leather cord, holding the tassel.Slide the guru bead and eye portion of the clasp onto the leather cord …

TierraCast's Wire Hoops aren't just for earrings and charm-holder pendants -- they're also a great size for napkin rings! Create autumn-themed napkin holders with TierraCast's limited-edition pumpkin charms.Created by: Bridget AustinDesigner TipsBend the open end of the wire hoop to an angle where the beads will slide over it.Slide the beads onto the hoop, leaving a little room at the end to adjust the wire and re-hook it onto the loop.Re-form the hook at the end of the hoop and reattach to form …

If you've never set faceted stones before, tube settings are a great way to get started.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsGolden Topaz is November's birthstone, and sparkling 4mm CZs are available in all 12 birthstone colors, plus jet black.With your awl or other sharp object, create a small, straight hole in the rubber block.Set topaz Cubic Zirconia stone face down on block, and line up post bezel over the stone. Press down, and the stone will be lightly held in place.Gently pick up compo …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsCut about a foot of wire and place the wire almost 3/4 of the way in the hole of the feather.Cross wires over each other above the top of the feather. Bend the shorter one straight up above the feather. Take the longer wire and wrap haphazardly around the stem of the feather adding the 2mm copper beads as you go. Wrap up tail of long wire just at the top of the feather.Add your 8mm bead to the shorter wire. Make a loop and swirl it down around the bead, fini …

Visit our Spokane, WA, Showroom for personalized service and expert advice that you can't get in the big box stores! Many of our staff members are jewelry makers, and they're ready to help you discover the best supplies and techniques for your personal creative journey.In addition to 1000's of special Showroom-only beads and jewelry supplies, you also have access to another 10,000+ items from our online store. If an item isn't on display, just ask and we'll pull it from the back for you to look …

 Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsCut a strip of 20-gauge sheet 2.75" long. Smooth and straighten with a nylon hammer.Optional: Texture or stamp (see "How to Make a Metal-Stamped Charm" technique sheet below).For a matte finish, scrub the surface with steel wool (or even a green dish scrubbie!).File the corners and edges smooth using a #2-cut needle file.Use a pair of nylon-jaw ring-bending pliers to bend the band into shape. Overlap the ends at least 0.25".Check the size on …

Celebrations Day of the Dead bracelet depicts the musical side of this holiday. The beautiful TierraCast musical charms nicely offset the Swarovski Crystal Mystic Black pearls.Created by: Swarovski's Create Your Style Design Team Designer TipsUsing memory wire bending pliers, roll back one end of the memory wire to create a closed loop.Slide 50 pearls onto the memory wire.Trim excess wire, keeping approximately 3/4" (19mm). Using memory wire bending pliers, roll back the end creating a clos …