Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Mollie ValenteMake your Enamel DiskUse the dapping set to dome the copper blank.(See Rings & Things blog post: How to Dap and Dome Metal Jewelry.)Fire the concave (back side) of the copper blank with spruce green enamel (counter enamel). Or you can use the enamel colors of your choice.(Follow firing and safety instructions from the Thompson Enamel Workbook or Rings & Things blog post: Torch Fired Enamels.)Clean the domed copper blank with Penny Brite.Fire the convex (front si …

Created by: Amy MickelsonDesigner TipsChoose a color of hand dyed silk ribbon to go with your choice of 4mm Swarovski bicones and rivoli stones.Use 2-part epoxy to glue the rivoli stone into a rivoli setting. Set this aside to cure.Create 2 wrapped loop bicone dangles. Make an additional dangle finishing the wrapped loop directly onto one of the loops of the rivoli setting. (See Jewelry Basics 101 link below.)Use a jump ring to connect the other dangles to the same loop on the rivoli setting.Use …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsPunch a hole in the top center of each mason jar blank (available in copper, brass and sterling silver). If desired, tumble-polish or sand the blanks to remove any surface blemishes.Stamp desired pattern on each charm. New to metal stamping? See Metal Stamping 101.Apply Stamp Enamel per package instructions.Cut approx. 2"of 22-gauge wire, add a turquoise rondelle bead, and either make simple wire loops at each end, or create a wire-wrapped connector to conne …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsDome (or dap) the brass moon charms.Antique the brass moons with WinOx™ and polish with the "Brilliant" polishing cloth.Thread a bicone crystal and fluted bead onto the ear wire. (Gently straighten the bend at the ear wire end, add the beads, and then reshape it.) Repeat with second ear wire.String a moon charm onto each kidney-wire loop with the design facing forward.Free Technique Sheets & How-TosBasic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF)Blog post: Ho …

Created by: Melissa RhoadesDesigner TipsThe neutral tone of the gray hemp cord accentuates the color-changing Mirage Beads, but any color of 1mm hemp cord will work for this project.The 6x7mm barrel-shaped Mirage Beads work well with hemp due to their large hole sizes.Anchor your project to a clipboard to make it portable.To make it easier to string the beads onto the center cords, add a drop of glue to the tips of the cord and form ends into tips. Let dry before adding beads.Alternate sides for …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsSee the blog entry on making multiwrap lashed bracelets.This bracelet is sized for a double wrap of a large wrist (approximately 16" finished length). Modify the design for a smaller wrist size.Carefully sear the trimmed ends of the Super-Lon cord with a lighter to prevent unraveling.Mirage Beads™ are thermo-sensitive beads that change color with small shifts in temperature. When worn, beads range from teal and blue through shades of green, yellow and oran …

Learn how to make this comfortable, lightweight, color changing adjustable bracelet!Created by: Michelle HorningDesigner TipsFor step by step macramé knotting instructions, see our blog article: DIY Shamballa-Style Macrame Bracelet Tutorial.S-Lon looks beautiful in micro macramé designs, but it's very light, small, and more difficult to work with than traditional macramé materials such as hemp. Knotting tweezers help, along with folding the cord in half when feeding the end through a knot.Use le …

Learn how to make this beautiful yoga bracelet featuring gemstone beads, rosewood mala beads, TierraCast spacers, and a Nina Designs lotus charm.Created by: Mollie ValenteSteps to Make this Yoga BraceletFor an illustrated version of these instructions, see Mollie's blog article.Measure and cut the Stretch Magic cord. Cord length should be wrist size plus 4".String the charm and position it in the middle of the cord. On each side of the charm, string one metal rondelle bead and one 5mm nugget hei …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsCut approx. 2" of wire and make a simple loop or wire-wrapped loop at one end, but add the lotus flower charm before closing loop. Add 2 glass O beads, a crystal bead and 2 more glass O beads. Make a loop at other end, 90-degrees off from the first loop (or adjust with flat-nose pliers before adding ear wire). For step-by-step instructions on making wire loops and best way to open and close jump rings, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)Slightly open loop on ear wi …

Created by: Summer Melaas and Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsCut 4" from the center of the 20" chain.Cut the 4" piece in half so you have two 2" pieces.Use a jump ring to add the pear crystal to the bottom of one 2" chain. Place 1 crystal (different colors) on about 9 head pins. Wire wrap the 9 head pins onto different loops in the chain, concentrating more towards the bottom, and less as you go up the chain. New to jewelry-making? See Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Take a jump ring and place the chai …