Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer Tips  Unspool approximately 26" of copper wire. Pull it smooth with flat nylon-jaw pliers.Trim the end neatly (flush) with flush cutters.Use ring-bending pliers to make as many equal sized coils as you can easily fit on the pliers.Using good flush cutters, snip each coil apart so you have identically-sized links. Carefully trim ends so the ends of the links line up flush. If you have any gaps, your solder join will not look good and will not be …

Etching is a method of using chemicals to cut a design or pattern into a metal surface. Etching your own designs into metal is easier than it may sound, and it can be a fun and rewarding way to make your own jewelry! Learn the basics of how to choose your metals, choose your etchants, create or transfer your images with resists, and complete the etching process. Discover how to make a float boat for suspending your designs in etchant — plus find basic etching safety precautions, design consider …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsSolder Brass Ninja Star* to Copper Disk:If the copper or brass shapes are bent, straighten them with a steel block and nylon or rawhide mallet. (Solder doesn't fill gaps.)File/sand/polish to any rough edges or deep scratches.Snip 5-10 tiny (1-2mm long) pieces of solder into a small bowl.Use a small paintbrush to coat the back of the brass "ninja star", and the front of the copper disk with flux. (You may need to mix the flux to a more paste-like consiste …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsPlace 10mm cushion square stone into setting, and use nylon-jaw or chain-nose pliers to gently flatten the prongs onto the stone. See tips in our blog, for best way to keep your stone safe and centered.Carefully add bail to top of pendant (gently open the prongs with needle-nose pliers if needed). Use nylon-jaw or chain-nose pliers to securely close the bail.One loop on the setting is openable. Twist the loop open far enough to add the bail, then twist to se …

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 …