Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Mollie Valente   Designer TipsTo add texture, place the metal blank on the steel block and use the ball end of the hammer to make a lightly hammered surface.After hammering, the metal blank will be work-hardened and will require annealing. Place the blank on a fire block and use a micro torch to anneal the piece. Cool to room temperature. Bonus: annealing also serves to heat patina the piece of metal.To bend the bail, place the metal blank in the jaw of the bail-making pliers, c …

  Created by: Mollie Valente   Designer TipsSeal the front and back of the images with Crafter's Pick™ The Ultimate adhesive or Mod Podge® to prevent the images from bleeding.To prevent the images from floating, glue them to the bottom of the bezel cups. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly prior to adding resin.Create a level surface for the resin to cure in the cuff links: Turn a cardboard box over and poke holes in the lid with a pen or other sharp object.Follow instructions in the Epox …

Upcycle a craft beer can, or any aluminum can with awesome graphics, into a custom belt buckle. Great gift for a craft beer aficionado!Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsParts are listed below.For the illustrated step-by-step tutorial, including great tips on making a template and preparing your work surface, please see Mollie's full article at blog.rings-things.com:DIY - Make a Belt Buckle from a Craft Beer Can.Suggested Supplies1 each #30-682-01-AS Antiqued Silver Plated Belt Buckle Blank, …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCreate a COPPRclay™ pendant following the manufacturer's guidelines included with the clay and your kiln.Mollie made her own pattern sheet by taking a piece of textured wallpaper and punching a branch design in it.Pre-roll your clay to 8-card thickness, and then lay the paper beneath and roll again to 6 card thickness.Remove paper, and cut to the desired shape (Mollie cut an oval), then create a hole for hanging the pendant.Allow the piece to fully dry, and …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsFabricate the BRONZclay focal according to the manufacturer's instructions. Like many other metal clays, BRONZclay must be fired in a kiln. BRONZclay shrinks approximately 20% from package to finished product. When you create your pieces, keep this in mind.If you also work with Art Clay™ Silver (ACS), your ACS tools and work surfaces must be kept separate from the tools and surfaces that you use with BRONZclay. The materials do not work well together, and y …

The key to making masculine jewelry is using masculine supplies and keeping it simple. Combine strong leather or waxed cotton cord with bone beads, metal beads, or glass trade beads and then add a bold focal pendant. It is also a benefit if the jewelry has a utilitarian purpose.Here is my version of "men’s jewelry" -- an adjustable lanyard necklace made with guy supplies; it can be used to hold a decorative pendant or be more utilitarian as a key holder. Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsFo …

TierraCast's shimmering antique bronze leather, a hammer-textured spiral link, and shiny black rivets, combine to create a barrette that's perfect for Spring bonfires and Fall festivals. This securely riveted barrette project is quick and easy to make, and uses common tools that may already be in your craft room, or a relative's basement.  Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer TipsWrap one end of leather around end of barrette so it extends about 3mm past the hole on the underside o …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsSolder Brass Ninja Star* to Copper Disk:If the copper or brass shapes are bent, straighten them with a steel block and nylon or rawhide mallet. (Solder doesn't fill gaps.)File/sand/polish to any rough edges or deep scratches.Snip 5-10 tiny (1-2mm long) pieces of solder into a small bowl.Use a small paintbrush to coat the back of the brass "ninja star", and the front of the copper disk with flux. (You may need to mix the flux to a more paste-like consiste …

We strive to provide you with clear, honest information, in a complicated and ever-changing world of jewelry-making materials.Our products are made of over 500 different materials (various semi-precious gemstones are over 200 of these), and our website has been growing and changing since 1996 -- so it can be a challenge to keep this all updated and easy to find! The materials defined below account for approximately 80% of the items in our website, and we're adding more all the time!&nb …

Basic Loops:The loop size will depend on how much wire you leave past the end of your beads, and around which part of your pliers you bend the loop. A good loop size is usually about 1/3 of the way from the tip of your pliers, with about 8mm of wire.Use round needle-nose pliers.If using an eye pin, decide which way you want the loop to go - the same direction as the premade loop on the other end, or 90º off. Keep this direction in mind as you bend the rest of the wire.Cut off any excess wire (we …