Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Add some sparkle and shine to your holiday wardrobe. These snowman earrings are easy and quick to assemble.Created by: Rita Hutchinson.Design by: Swarovski's Create Your Style Design Team Designer Tips Add pearl beads, scarf and hat to head pin, starting with the largest (10mm) pearl bead.Make a simple loop at the top. New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for instructions on making loops, and most secure way to open a jump ring (or other loop, …

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsCreate a unique, beautiful netted Christmas ornament cover with size 11 seed beads, and Swarovski crystal pearls or your choice of accent beads and drops -- free instructions, no blinkin ads, and no login required.Thread a size 12 beading needle with 2 yards of One-G, or stretched and waxed size B beading thread.String on 4 main beads, 1 accent bead (1 set) and repeat 8 times for a total of nine sets, leaving a 6"" tail.Go through all beads one more tim …

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsCreate a unique, beautiful netted Christmas ornament cover with size 11 seed beads, and Swarovski crystal pearls or your choice of accent beads and drops -- free instructions, no blinkin ads, and no login required.Thread a size 12 beading needle with 2 yards of One-G, or stretched and waxed size B beading thread.String on 4 main beads, 1 accent bead (1 set) and repeat 8 times for a total of nine sets, leaving a 6"" tail.Go through all beads one more tim …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsMix the adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions.Apply masking tape to the back side of the filigrees. This will prevent the adhesive from leaking through the openings.Apply adhesive to the back side of the flat back crystal and center it on the filigree and press gently. Repeat with the second filigree and crystal.Set the pieces aside in a warm area to cure. Curing overnight is usually best.Once cured, remove the masking tape from the back sid …

Created by: The Swarovski Design Team Designer TipsFor best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF). Suggested Supplies1 6-pack #02-088-34-182 Swarovski 34ss Indian Pink 2088 Xirius Rose Flat-Back Crystals, No Hotfix7 dozen (use 78 pcs) #05-000-04-182 Swarovski 5000 Faceted Round Beads, 4mm - Indian Pink4 dozen (use 47 pcs)  #05-000-06-182  Swarovski 5000 Faceted Round Beads, 6mm - Indian Pink6 each #41-864-12-3&nbs …

Created by: Summer MelaasNote: We've had great success enameling our 24-gauge brass blanks, but for the most consistent color results, this enamel is best with copper blanks. Designer TipsTexture the top portion of the blanks with a chasing hammer or ball pein hammer.Use the smaller end of the 2-hole metal punch to punch a 1/16" hole near the top of the blanks. Be sure to center it, so the earrings hang properly.Clean the blanks with Penny Brite to remove all oils.Optional: Spray a light, even c …

This project uses Swarovski crystals and TierraCast® components. Created by: Rita Hutchinson. Design by: CREATE YOUR STYLE.Designer TipsUse the puffed rondelle bead to fill the opening in the large end of the artemis bead.Add beads to head pin in same order as in photo.Make a simple loop at the top of the head pin (see Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet PDF)Slightly open loop on ear wire (see Jump Ring tip in Jewelry-Making Technique sheet) to add angel. Close securely.Repeat for other earring …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsUse texture plates from the tool kit to create designs on each torch-fired metal clay pennant. Patina each with liver of sulfur.Center one of the pennants on the chain.Add additional pennants evenly spaced to the left and right.Determine spacing of wrapped links. Cut chain and wire wrap links directly to the chain.The micro crimping pliers are great for tucking the trimmed wire ends in on the wire wrapped loops.Free Technique Sheets & How-TosMetal Clay …

 Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer Tips For a small wrist (shown), cut 2 pieces of leather each 5" long. For a standard men's bracelet, cut 2 pieces each 6" long. or measure the wrist size you want, add 4" (for the riveted overlap portions), and divide in half.Adjust rotary punch to 2.5mm.Wrap one end of the leather strap around the centerpiece, overlapping leather by approximately 1". This gives you room to safely set the rivet without hitting the gemstone or crystal centerp …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsClean the door blanks in a tumbler for 2-3 hours, or with fine-grit sandpaper and a polishing cloth.Find a pleasing portion of the Christmas tin, that fits in the window of the door blank. Draw around outside of door blank with a fine-point permanent marker. Cut tin with shears.Stamp a word or phrase on the front, and add texture as desired with texturing hammer(s). Stamp or hammer a design or pattern on the back too.To make your pattern stand out, anti …