Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsPlan your crystal bead pattern. My pattern has 8 crystal beads per earring and goes from dark to light, creating a subtle blue ombre.Use a cup bur tool to soften the wire end of the endless hoop earring finding. Just insert the wire in the cup bur and twist until the wire edge is smooth.Start by stringing a 2.5mm round sterling bead onto the endless hoop earring finding. This bead is a buffer for the first crystal bead.String the crystal beads onto the endl …

Learn simple but effective techniques to hammer-texture and dome metal disks to create beautiful handmade earrings.Created by: Mollie ValenteHammer and Dome the BlanksPlace a Vintaj blank on the steel block. If desired, you can use a piece of low-tack tape to hold it in place.With the ball pein face of the chasing hammer, repeatedly strike the blank to create an overall texture. Flip the blank over and texture the other side. Check both sides and repeat until you achieve your desired texture.The …

Created by: Amy MickelsonDesigner TipsSelect and laminate two family photos or other images (or use #60-280 Crafter's Pick™ The Ultimate adhesive to seal the images) and put them back to back.An easy gift for family and friends. Slide the ribbon through the loops on the frame, add a lobster clasp, and use overhand knots to secure the ribbon ends.Free Technique Sheets & How-TosBlog post: Silk Ribbon Necklaces: How to Finish the EndsSuggested Supplies1 dozen [use 1] #39-348-9 Clasp, Lobster, 2 …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsAdd desired beads to eye pin, and use one-step looper (or wire cutters and round-nose pliers) to make a simple loop at the other end.When creating your new loops, face them the same direction as the existing loops on the eye pins. New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF)Use chain-nose (non-serrated flat-nose) pliers to twist open each loop, attach the charm or clip-on, and twist closed.Suggested Supplies1 strand [use 2] #21-8 …

Created by: Toni PlastinoDesigner TipsNo tools needed!Simply unscrew the top of the pen, add the desired large-hole beads of your choice and screw the top back on!This pen is designed for artisan beads created on a 3/32" mandrel, and works with beads with a 2.5mm hole (or larger).Suggested Supplies1 ea #55-903-02 Pen, BeadPen1 bag of 100 [use 12] #26-890-03 Bead, Cast, Flower Spacer, 6x3mm -or-other large-hole beads.Calypso beads or other artisan / lampwork beads made on a 3/32" mandrel -or- Tro …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCut the glass to fit the bezel and wet sand to smooth the edges.Clean the glass and ring with rubbing alcohol and glue with two-part epoxy.Place the ring on a level surface while the adhesive cures. Turn a cardboard box over and poke a hole in the box with a pen or other sharp object, and set the ring in the hole.Free Technique Sheets & How-TosGluing Hints for Metal Findings (PDF)Suggested Supplies1 each #60-230 Adhesive, Epoxy, 3301 each #51-500-21 Fin …

Although we no longer have the exact green beads that were used in the original project, we've kept this project in our gallery for 2 reasons: We love Earth Day, and we also think this is a fun atypical use for the Earth button.Created by: Tiffany WhiteDesigner TipsFor step-by-step illustrated instructions, see the Rings & Things blog post: Planet Earth Earrings.Suggested Supplies2 each #59-100-22-AS TierraCast 16mm Earth Button - Antiqued Silver Plated1 strand (use 18 beads)  …

One 8" strand of 8mm large-hole gemstone beads is enough to make 3 bracelets just like this. In case dumortierite is out of stock, more gemstone ideas are linked below.Created by: Michelle HorningDesigner TipsFor step-by-step instructions on how to macramé a bracelet with this pattern, see our blog article: How to Macrame a Hemp Bracelet.Our original blog article is from 2013, and we wanted to make a fresh new bracelet for Earth Day, so we picked a TierraCast Earth button, large-hole Dumortierit …

As a graceful nod to the free-spirited Bohemian trend, we created a set of beautiful bracelets in softly muted hues: smoky quartz, warm gold, smoked topaz, antique brass, rose gold amber and iridescent green. We added the sparkle of Swarovski and the luster of Pyrite, and some swing with metal chain and thread tassels. The symbolism and metaphysical properties are protection.Created by: Sondra BarringtonDesigner TipsMeasure your wrist, and cut Stretch Magic an extra four inches to give you enoug …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsFollow wire-wrapped loop instructions in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF) to create wire-wrapped link sections with the crystal beads. Be sure to add the various components to your beaded links before finalizing each wire wrap! (Alternately, make simple loops, and /or use jump rings to connect the sections.)Use 24-gauge wire to link one Aurum (gold) crystal to bottom right of songbird and to 5" of chain.Use one gold crystal to link the other end of chain to bottom l …