Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsThis design uses some of the palest sunstone beads on the mixed strand, but the color choices are up to you!Put one sunstone bead on your head pin. Using a wrapped loop attach your loop to the second link down on the chain of your ear thread. Finish wrapping your loop.New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for step-by-step instructions on making wire-wrapped loops.Repeat this step four more times attaching your loops to ev …

Created by: Veronica Greenwood Designer TipsCut a piece of wire and make a wrapped loop on one end. Attach your loop to your ear thread. Add one purple (amethyst) bead to the wire and finish your loop.New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for step-by-step instructions on making wire-wrapped loops.Repeat linking 5 more times with colors dark blue, light blue, green, yellow and orange.For the end, use a red bead and head pin, and do a wrapped loop to attach to the l …

Created by: Mollie Valente Designer TipsTwist a jump ring to open it extra wide.Loop the jump ring around a single pearl in the pearl ball bead.Attach the loop of an ear thread to the jump ring.Twist the jump ring closed.Repeat to make the second earring.The long 5" ear threads also allow you to wear the earrings in an asymmetrical fashion, with the pearl balls suspended at different lengths.If you have double pierced ears, the long-chain tail can be swagged back through a second piercing.You ca …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsLay out 10 sunstone beads in an ombre pattern (lightest to darkest).Cut two feet of the 26g wire.Wrap a few tight wraps at the top of the wire part of the ear thread, and thread one bead on the wire. Holding the bead tight in place, wrap the wire twice around the ear thread.Repeat until you have wrapped all the beads down to the loop at the bottom of the ear thread. Cut off excess wire. Using your chain nose plier, pinch the ends of the wrapped wire to tight …

Created by: Summer Melaas Designer TipsOpen a jump ring.New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for most secure way to open and close jump rings.Add an opal charm to the jump ring, and connect to the loop on the ear thread, using two chain nose pliers.Repeat for other earring.Suggested Supplies1 pair #53-001-5 Vermeil Ear Thread, 5", 2.5mm Closed Jump Ring2 each #21-343-01-999 6mm 14kt Gold-Filled Bello Opal Drop Charm - Blue Opal1 10pack (use 2 pieces) #37-391-240 …

Channel-set Cubic Zirconia charms make it easy to create elegant linear jewelry. However, most colors and sizes (other than basic diamond clear) are out of production... get them while you can!Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsOpen one jump ring and attach one CZ charm to one ear thread. For best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Repeat for other earring.Optioinal: Add French wire keepers or sterling silver SmartBeads for extra security.Suggeste …

Created by: Rita Hutchinson   Designer Tips  Wire wrap the crystals directly onto the ear thread chain. See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for detailed instruction on making wire wrapped loops.Use crimping pliers to tuck in the trimmed ends on the wire wraps. (It's not their traditional use, but the shape works perfectly!)French wire keepers are really helpful to keep earthreads in the ear.  Suggested Supplies1 pair #53-509-06 Sterling Silver Ear Thread, 3", …