Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsPunch 1/16" holes in the bracelet where you want to place the rivets.Run the first rivet through the leather, place a washer on it, and use a fine-point Sharpie to mark a line on the rivet shaft about 1mm past the washer.Use heavy-duty flush cutters (or a jewelers saw) to cut at this line. Be sure to cut nice and flat (parallel with the rivet head). File flat if necessary.Place the bracelet rivet-head-down on the rubber side of a steel/rubber bench block …

Created by: Sondra BarringtonDesigner TipsPatina the bee and darken the frame with Win-Ox™.Apply wax to seal the pieces, after you have achieved desired patina effect.Attach the bee and filigree using jump rings. Adding these pieces is an easy way to customize your piece without soldering.The finished length is 16".Free Technique Sheets & How-TosBasic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF)Suggested Supplies1 gross [use 12] #26-463-6 Bead, 3mm Round, Corrugated (Antiqued Brass Plated)1 spool [u …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsSet link on leather bracelet, and use a sharp pencil, or fine-point non-smudging marker, to make a dot at each spot to punch.Rotate leather hole punch to smallest setting, and carefully punch holes.Click into the rivet's details below, and follow the steps for setting the rivets.Optional: Use bracelet-bending pliers to shape the link into a smooth wrist-shaped arc.For more information about riveting, download and print the free technique sheets below.Sug …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCut the wire in half and form an "eye" loop on one end of each wire.Flatten the loop by striking with a chasing hammer on a steel block.Add the following beads to each handmade eye pin: a brass heishi, a crystal rondelle, and a brass heishi.For each bead link, cut off the excess wire leaving just enough length to form a second eye; form the eye and flatten the loop.Punch a hole centered in the top side of the triangle.Twist open the eye of the eye pin, add …

Learn to make sweet earrings with a dapped set of disks in sterling and copper. A tumbler REALLY gets these domed disks shiny! They are reflecting so much light back, that the Rose Peach crystals look much more intense and vivid than their normal peachy hue.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsChoose textures of your choice and hammer the sterling blanks with one pattern, and the copper blanks with another pattern.Dome each blank. See our How to Dap and Dome blog post.Tumble blanks to a shiny …

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsPlace the crystal in the bezel setting and using the nylon jaw flat pliers gently fold the prongs down over the crystal.Using the 6.5mm jump ring attach the bezel to the large round link. (For best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101).Attach one of the 5mm jump rings to the large round link.Use the second 5mm jump ring to attach the earwire to the first 5mm jump ring.Repeat for the other earring.Suggested Supplies2 each …

Created by: Cindy MorrisDesigner TipsCut 24-gauge sterling sheet into a 1" to 1.5" square. (Cindy's is about 1.25" or 32mm)Use a file to smooth the edges and round the corners.Create the stamped metal charm (see Techniques for Creating a Stamped Metal Charm - PDF).Punch 1/16" holes.Attach jump rings to the top holes (see Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet - PDF), and slide onto the ball chain necklace.Attach the crystal snowflake to the pendant using a triangle bail.The pictured design uses a …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsString and center 39 beads on the cord. Tie a knot at each end to hold them in place.String 40th bead as an adjuster bead for the bracelet. To assist in getting the second end through the bead, trim at an angle, and pull through with tweezers once you get the end through.Determine length needed to adjust bracelet over hand. Allow 1" extra on each end, knot and trim.Suggested Supplies1 strand [use 40] #26-830-4 Bead, Faceted Cube, 2.5mm1 spool [use 18"] #61 …

Created by: Nathan Jessen Designer TipsDisk-and-loop bracelet forms are perfect for gluing relatively flat beads, bottle caps and other found objects to the surface of each pad.With several different styles, lengths and plating options to choose from, you're bound to fall in love with the versatility of these fun findings.Use a superglue type of adhesive or, for the most durable hold, a 2-part epoxy such as Epoxy 330 (60-230)Stretch and secure the bracelet ends to cardboard with tape. This preve …

Created by: Toni PlastinoDesigner TipsCut desired images to size; place in picture frame. Fill organza bag with lavender, pull tight, add picture frame, and securely knot! Suggested Supplies1 dozen [use 1] #63-251-09 Bag, Organza, 4x3"1 each #55-700-13-7 Picture Frame, Hinged, House, 1.75x1"Tools#69-043 Tool, Scissors, Extra-Large LoopAdditional Supplies1/2 cup lavender, dried1 image cut to desired size …