Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsFor step-by-step illustrated instructions showing how to engrave the pendant, see Rings & Things blog post "Jewelry Making DIY – Make a Micro Engraved Pendant"Next, assemble the necklace:New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for most secure method of opening and closing jump rings, and other basic jewelry-making information.Attach a 6mm jump ring to the completed pendant's hanging hole.Cut the ball chain to your desired l …

Created by: Amy Mickelson   Designer TipsCut the metal sheet to the desired size. File the edges smooth and punch holes in corners and on the bottom. Sand the surfaces and clean.Place inked rubber stamp on flat surface, ink side up. Press the metal piece onto stamped image and remove.If you do not like the design placement or it smudges, use StazOn® Cleaner to remove the image.It may take a few stamping attempts to achieve success. Take your time getting a good stamp before you begin etchin …

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 …

 Created by: Rita Hutchinson Designer TipsCut your metal sheet to desired size and use a file to round the corners and smooth all edges.Clean with Penny Brite® Copper Cleaner and scrubby until water sheets off. Only handle by the edges from this point on.Stamp your design once, cleanly, and lift the stamp straight off. Allow the ink to dry without disturbing further. If needed or desired, touch up the inked design with black or red Sharpie® marker.Etch as directed following instruction …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsOptional: Punch a hole in the corner of the blank, following instructions in hole-punch below. After completing bracelet, dangle a charm or beaded dangle of your choice from the corner.Etch bracelet, using etching tutorial below. You can draw a design with Sharpie, or use your favorite rubber stamps, or print an image on PNP film using a laser printer.Bend bracelet, following instructions included with EZ-Bender. To finish shaping the ends, bracelet may need …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsUse a permanent marker to draw a few clouds in the sky, and tufts of grass on the ground. (After etching, I thought my tufts of grass looked more like a cityscape, so you may want to use an extra-fine-point Sharpie® for some of the grass.) The lines that look like rain were not drawn; they are simply a result of the ferric chloride etching process.Carefully and thoroughly mask the edges and back of the bracelet with masking tape, duct tape or Sharpie, to …

Created by: Sondra BarringtonDesigner TipsSee the Create a Hinged Metal Memory Journal blog post for a step-by-step tutorial with images.Texturize or etch* various metal pieces for the journal and patina as desired. This project is a great way to use your stash of etched metal bits. Cut decorative circles with disk cutter, punch holes and dap**.For 3/32" diameter tubing, make hinge tabs one-half inch long. Use plenty of cut lube so that your saw blade doesn’t stick going around the tight corners …

Created by: Jaci BostonDesigner TipsUse silhouettes of multiple teapots and teacups to make this design. No two are alike.Use rubber cement to glue the paper images to the metal.Saw vertically at all times and use cut lube; this helps ensure a longer life on the saw blade.For the handles, punch a starter hole with the 2-hole punch. This tool does not deform the metal like plier-style punches.File any rough spots. Jaci created the designs for etching, using a combination rubber stamps and hand-dr …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsMeasure, mark and punch the hanging holes: 3 holes spaced to match the loops of the triangle, and one hole on the bottom.Use a rubber stamp of your choice and the Rings & Things Etching kit to create the etched pendant.Etch as directed following instructions in the kit as well as the Rings & Things metal etching blog post.The pendant is antiqued using Jax Green Patina. You an achieve a similar look using Vintaj's "Weathered Copper" Patina Kit (#86-4 …

These fun etched copper earrings were cut out with shears (a jeweler's saw would also work great) and then the resist was hand-drawn with Sharpie, in the patterns of toes and thigh-high stockings.Created by: Noryan Baker & Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCut the metal into the desired shapes and file edges smooth.Apply the design wth a permanent marking pen (such as a Sharpie®). The metal covered with permanent ink does not etch.Punch holes in metal as pictured and patina.Use jump rings to connec …