Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Guest Designer Deb FlorosSuggested Supplies 1 #40-090-34-3 Silver Plated Disk & Loop Chain, 7mm by the FOOT1 #05-817-LTU8 PRESTIGE 5817 8mm Crystal Pearl Cabochon Crystal Iridescent Light Turquoise (10 Pieces)1 #37-133-3 Silver Plated Jump Ring, Round, Heavy, 4.5mm (Pack)1 #37-422-3 Silver Plated Head Pin, 2", Standard (ounce)1 #88-610-04-455 Preciosa Crystal Bicone Bead, 4mm - Crystal Honey (gross)6 #49-943-31-AS TierraCast Tiny Starfish Charm - Antiqued Silver Plated (Each)1 # …

Created by: Janet Boyington Designer TipsCut three 10" strands of gold Beadalon stringing wire. My bracelet measures about 6.5" when competed and ready to wear. Plan accordingly for larger wrist sizes.String all three wires in a pleasing pattern, using alternating arrangements of Citrine, seed beads, Preciosa crystals and pearls. Utilize bead stoppers to keep beads in place as you design your patterns.When each strand is to your liking, crimp each end (on one side) to the decorative go …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut copper sheet to size or use a premade copper blank. If you have cut your own blank, punch hole in appropriate location and file edges to remove roughness.Create rings for pendant polka dots. Use solid copper wire and either a coiling tool to create coils of different sizes or the jaws of round nose pliers to create a tapered coil.Cut individual rings from coils with flush cutter. Alternate sides when cutting the coil and trimming the end to maintain fl …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer Tips3 sunny shades of orange crystal bicones cascade in a warm ombre waterfall, from Vintaj hammered brass rings.Make wire-wrapped loops using ball-end head pins and 10 crystal beads, then use large jump rings to cascade them from the Vintaj® ring.Gently slide the jump rings onto the hammered Vintaj ring, so you don't scratch the ring with the open edge of the jump rings.For tips on creating wire-wrapped loops and the best way to open and close jump …

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 …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut 2 lengths of wire, each about 30" long. You want enough to lash all the crystals, but not so much that the wire is in the way.Anchor 26-gauge wire to the heart shape, and then lash crystals in a random color pattern around the shape. Use approximately 17 beads per earring (34 beads total).Open loop on earwire, and attach to one of the lashing loops.See our Wire Lashing blog article for further details on lashing beads.New to jewelry-making? For best wa …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsWire wrap all the metal, pearl and crystal beads before assembling.For each earring, Rita used 18 - 4mm crystal bicones in mixed reds, greens and whites, 6 - 3mm bicones, 6 white pearl beads and 6 corrugated silver plated beads.Attach 4 dangles to each jump ring all the way down the chain in a pleasing manner, with the 3mm crystal dangles near the top.Each earring uses 9 jump rings to create a chain.Earring nuts with a flange distribute the weight, making …