Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

This project uses Swarovski crystals and TierraCast® components. Created by: Rita Hutchinson. Design by: CREATE YOUR STYLE.Designer TipsUse the puffed rondelle bead to fill the opening in the large end of the artemis bead.Add beads to head pin in same order as in photo.Make a simple loop at the top of the head pin (see Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet PDF)Slightly open loop on ear wire (see Jump Ring tip in Jewelry-Making Technique sheet) to add angel. Close securely.Repeat for other earring …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsClean the door blanks in a tumbler for 2-3 hours, or with fine-grit sandpaper and a polishing cloth.Find a pleasing portion of the Christmas tin, that fits in the window of the door blank. Draw around outside of door blank with a fine-point permanent marker. Cut tin with shears.Stamp a word or phrase on the front, and add texture as desired with texturing hammer(s). Stamp or hammer a design or pattern on the back too.To make your pattern stand out, anti …

Created by: Swarovski's Create Your Style Design TeamDesigner TipsString onto one head pin: 1 - 4mm cube bead, 1 - 10mm #3700,>3700,>3700,>3700, 1 - 8mm #3700,>3700,>3700,>3700, 1 - 6mm #3700,>3700,>3700,>3700, and 1- 3mm metallic bicone bead.Make a simple loop (or a wire wrapped loop). New to jewelry-making? See step-by-step instructions for making wire loops: Jewelry Basics 101 - PDF.Repeat to create a total of 6 tree charms.To duplicate the pattern shown here, slide …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsAdd crystals, angel wing beads and spacers to head pins and finish with a simple loop. (See Making Earrings 101 below for instructions to make loops.)Because the large end of the dome bead is concave, it can be tricky to measure and cut the headpin for making your loop. Press your thumb or other finger against the head of the pin, to pull it up to the inside of the dome for best results.Use any ear wire you like with these designs.These angels / fairies ca …

Design by: CREATE YOUR STYLE and Rings & Things.   Designer Tips  Due to the tiny hole size on the 2mm beads, this design will not work on a head pin. Make a tiny head on each end of the wire, by turning the wire back on itself and flattening down.To each 2" piece of wire, add crystals in alternating colors as shown. Add the bow bead after the fifth crystal.For other holiday projects using Swarovski crystals, visit CREATE YOUR STYLE Mini Projects.Free Technique Sheets & How-Tos …

Created by: Cindy MorrisDesigner TipsCut 24-gauge sterling sheet into a 1" to 1.5" square. (Cindy's is about 1.25" or 32mm)Use a file to smooth the edges and round the corners.Create the stamped metal charm (see Techniques for Creating a Stamped Metal Charm - PDF).Punch 1/16" holes.Attach jump rings to the top holes (see Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet - PDF), and slide onto the ball chain necklace.Attach the crystal snowflake to the pendant using a triangle bail.The pictured design uses a …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesign by: Swarovski's Create Your Style Design TeamDesigner TipsAdd a crystal teardrop bead to a head pin (narrow side towards the head of the pin), add a rhinestone wheel bead, then a round crystal bead. Make a simple loop. Repeat for other colors of teardrop beads.Cut the chain evenly in half.Use chain-nose pliers to twist a head-pin loop open to attach icicle light to chain in desired location, and twist loop to securely close. Leave 2 open links between each light …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsBlue Shade crystal snowflakes are coated on one side. Check the pendants carefully to hang both crystals in the same direction.Due to the thickness of the crystal, a large jump ring made of thin wire is required. Optionally, use wire to create a wrapped connection or bail. We used sterling silver 8.5mm sparkle-wire jump rings.For best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)Open the bottom loop of the ear wire (same way a …

This sparkling "Christmas light" project is a fun, festive winter design to create with Swarovski crystal teardrop beads in colors of your choice.Created by: Rings & Things Staff Designer TipsAdd a crystal teardrop bead to a head pin (narrow tip towards the head of the pin), add a rhinestone wheel bead, then a round crystal bead. Make a simple loop. Repeat for other colors of teardrop beads, until you have approximately 14 sparkling holiday lights.Cut chain to desired length, and use a 5mm j …

Created by: Veronica Greenwood Designer TipsThread a size 12 beading needle with 2 yards of One-G, or stretched and waxed size B beading thread.String on 4 main beads, 1 accent bead (1 set) and repeat 8 times for a total of nine sets, leaving a 6" tail.Go through all beads one more time to form a circle, Tie a knot. Weave needle and thread until you exit an accent bead.String 5 main beads, 1 accent bead and 5 main beads, and go through the next accent bead in the top ring. Repeat 8 more tim …