Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Learn to make unusual chain fringe earrings with a dash of crystal. FREE Jewelry Tutorials. No blinkin ads. No login required. Created by: Rita Hutchinson Designer TipsThe bead pod just barely fits the 3.2mm ball chain. You may have to do some extra pushing to get the first ball into the opening.Do not precut the ball chain - slide the end ball into the pod, then cut to length. Using the remainder, slide the end ball into the pod next to the first one, and cut one ball longer. Repeat 2 …

Modified from a design created by Swarovski's Create Your Style Design Team  Designer TipsUsing beading wire, slip on one crimp bead and one end of the Maker's Toggle, and crimp to close. Add crimp cover. New to jewelry-making? See Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).String beads in desired pattern. For a 16-18" necklace, string number of beads shown (44 pearls total). For a 24" necklace, string 40 pearls for the longer section, and 15 pearls for the shorter section. Exact quantity may …

Simple, yet gorgeous: These earrings were a big hit, as part of our "basics" series of local jewelry-making classes. They are simple to make, and are a perfect Christmas, sweet-16 or Valentine's Day gift.   Created by: Janet Boyington   Designer TipsAdd a heishi bead* and pearl to a ball-end head pin. Begin a wire-wrapped loop, but don't close it yet. Add the sterling textured link, then complete the wrap. For step-by-step instructions on making wire-wrapped loops, see Jewelry Bas …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsOptional: Punch a hole in the corner of the blank, following instructions in hole-punch below. After completing bracelet, dangle a charm or beaded dangle of your choice from the corner.Etch bracelet, using etching tutorial below. You can draw a design with Sharpie, or use your favorite rubber stamps, or print an image on PNP film using a laser printer.Bend bracelet, following instructions included with EZ-Bender. To finish shaping the ends, bracelet may need …

Need a personalized bracelet in a FLASH? Whether you make jewelry for yourself, or for sale, these expandable bracelets are super easy to customize.Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner Tips No tools required! Simply spring open one of the bracelet's loops, and slide the charms on one at a time, making sure they all face the right direction. Decide if you want to add birthstones. This bracelet is made with the birthstones for November (golden topaz) and April (diamond).Add the birthstones, then …

Here's a Mother's Day / Grandmother's birthstone jewelry idea that allows each child to stand apart from the others.Created by: Tiffany WhiteDesigner TipsNot sure which birthstones go with the months you need? Below, we linked 4mm Swarovski crystal bicone beads in order (January through December) in the 12 most-popular birthstone colors.For step-by-step photos and instructions, see our blog article: Custom Mother's Day Necklaces with Birthdates and Birthstones. Otherwise, continue reading here!S …

The patina on the tiny Swarovski crystal rivoli pendants is hard to see in the photo, but adds a subtle, very pretty effect when these earrings are worn.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut 2 chain pieces 1-1/2" long. Cut 2 pieces 4 links shorter and 2 pieces 8 links shorter. Trim the head off the headpin, create a loop, and attach 3 lengths of chain. String crystal bead, and thread through from inside the calla lily bead to the outside, finishing with a wrapped loop.For step-by-step inst …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsUse a permanent marker to draw a few clouds in the sky, and tufts of grass on the ground. (After etching, I thought my tufts of grass looked more like a cityscape, so you may want to use an extra-fine-point Sharpie® for some of the grass.) The lines that look like rain were not drawn; they are simply a result of the ferric chloride etching process.Carefully and thoroughly mask the edges and back of the bracelet with masking tape, duct tape or Sharpie, to …

This simple design says it all. Make a statement with a silver charm bracelet you can make in just moments ... no tools required! You need only three items: 1 TierraCast Cross Charm, 1 TierraCast Cause Ribbon Charm, 1 Bangle Bracelet. Created by: Sondra Barrington Designer TipsSimply open clasp and slide charms onto bracelet.TierraCast bail-loop symbol charms, crystal charms, and letter & number charms (links below), make it easy to customize this bracelet for the special events and people …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsColorize the raw brass filigrees. (See Rings & Things blog post "Jewelry DIY - Colorizing Raw Brass Filigrees" for instructions.)Make a bead dangle and attach it to the filigree. String beads onto the ball-end head pin in this order: bicone crystal bead, brass heishi bead, two crystal briolette beads, and antiqued-brass hogan bead. Form a loop just above the hogan bead and string it onto the hole at the base of the oval filigree. Wrap the head-pin tail …