Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Your Choice: They're balloons, streetlights or lollipops!  Created by: Summer Melaas and Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer TipsPunch a 1/16" hole in each blank, directly opposite the existing loop or hole.Clean the blanks with Penny Brite to remove all oils.Spray each blank lightly with Klyr Fire before sifting enamel evenly onto each blank: red on one, green on another, and foundation white on the strips.Carefully transfer a blank to torching basket (in tripod, over a heat-resistant work s …

The TierraCast Dulce Vida rings are reversible, with a different design on each side. If you wish the earrings to match, face the rings in the same direction during assembly.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsMake 6 "2-bead" wrapped loop dangles with each of the 4 and 5mm styles of beads topped with a 2mm gold filled bead (18 dangles total). Set aside. For step-by-step instructions on making wrapped loops, Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)Make 2 "1-bead" wrapped loop dangles with just a 4m …

Created by: Janet BoyingtonThese earrings were inspired by the Swarovski crystal candy corn earrings. Janet used a decreasing brick stitch to create the candy corn. Designer TipsBegin with the bottom row of the candy corn: Make a ladder stitch of 11 yellow seed beads, add 2 beads, and move the needle under the top of the exposed loop between the 2nd and 3rd base row beads, bringing the needle from back to front.Bring the needle up, from bottom to top, through the inside bead (that you just added …

Created by: Sondra BarringtonDesigner TipsUse a tapered flush-cutter to trim the loop off leaf charm to shorten stem. Create a new loop that is closer to the leaves of the charm.Create a small coil of 14-gauge copper wire to secure pumpkin bead (on the bottom). Wrap the top of the pumpkin, sliding the leaf charm onto the wire before making the top loop.Patina the copper wire, bead, and leaf charm and seal before assembling.Create 24-gauge wire coils and attach them by wrapping around base of pum …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsMake 2 matching spiral head pins. Follow the steps from the Rings & Things blog post "How to Make Spiral Head Pins.Add the following beads to a spiral head pin: 3mm fluted hogan bead, copper rondelle with fluted pattern, and 3mm fluted hogan bead.Form a simple loop to the top of the spiral head pin.Attach a French hook ear wire.Repeat steps to make the second earring.Suggested Supplies1 spool (use 6 - 8 inches) #47-205-20 Red Brass Jewelry Wire, 20ga, R …

3 fun pairs of Halloween earrings created by: Swarovski's Create Your Style Design Team (slightly modified by Rings & Things to replace discontinued items.)Designer TipsFor the black cat earrings, add a 6mm briolette bead and 4mm tangerine bicone bead to an eye pin. Trim excess and make a loop. New to jewelry-making? See Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Using 1 pair of chain-nose pliers evenly across each loop, turn the top loop so it's 90-degrees (perpendicular) to the bottom loop. This will help t …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCreate skull dangles and outer-circle Size 6 E bead dangles with headpins, corrugated beads, and seed beads.For step-by-step direction on making head pin loops, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)Wrap wire around a 1-3/4" dowel or round form about 3 times. From this, cut 2 matching pieces of wire (each ring should overlap at the ends by about 1/2", in other words, be a bit more than 2"" long).Artistic Wire is soft. Hammer the ring of wire with the rawhide mallet …

Use memory wire to create your own ear wires!Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsUse heavy-duty flush cutters to cut 2 equal lengths of memory wire.Form a loop at one end using sturdy round-nose pliers. New to making jewelry? See Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).With flat-nose pliers, create a sharp bend at the "middle" of the wire.Smooth the opposite wire end with a cup bur.Form a spiral* (see below) with plated wire: Add the skull bead, complete the wrapped loop and attach to the ear wire.* To for …

Created by: The Swarovski Crystal design teamDesigner TipsCut wire into two equal pieces 18" long.Load onto one piece of wire: 13 Swarovski XILION Beads in Sunflower. Moving 6 beads off to one side, and keeping the 7 remaining beads in the center of the wire, take the wire exiting from the 6 beads and string the wire through all 7 beads. (Note: the wire tails should be exiting in opposite directions from the 7 beads. The 6 beads should be sitting on top of and in between the 7 Sunflower beads. I …

Welcome to our new Jewelry Design Gallery! To browse jewelry ideas by category or theme, use the turquoise #tags below (#etched jewelry projects, #enamel projects, etc.) for all projects of a particular category. For a Jewelry Design Gallery / Resources search box, click here or press the turquoise "FREE JEWELRY PROJECTS" link near the bottom of any project's page. You might also like our blog (blog.rings-things.com), filled with step-by-step illustrated projects, and a spot for Q …