Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

A variation on a jewelry kit by TierraCastDesigner TipsCut a 6-8" length of the red pebble cord, add a small dab of superglue to one of the ends plus drag a small amount of glue around the sides of the end (stay within a 1/8" from the end so no glue shows when you place the cord end on it) and gently press one of the cord ends over the end with glue. Repeat for the other end.Attach two 8mm jump rings to the loops on each cord end and twist each closed (refer to Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF) for twist …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsFor complete step-by-step directions, visit our Blog post: Twelve Days of Christmas Jewelry Designs: Swarovski Crystal Tree EarringsFree Technique Sheets & How-Tos (includes detailed instructions for making beaded head pins)Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF)Suggested Supplies1 doz [use 2] #05-328-03-150 Crystal, Bead, Faceted Bicone, 3mm (Crystal/ Golden Shadow)2 each #03-700-06-12 Crystal, Sew-On, Margarita, 6mm (Emerald)2 each #03-700-08-12 C …

Created by: Polly Nobbs LaRue Designer TipsClean the door blanks with fine-grit sandpaper and a polishing cloth, or in a tumbler for 2-3 hours.Find a pleasing portion of the Christmas tin, that fits in the window of the door blank. Draw around outside of door blank with fine-point permanent marker. Cut tin with shears at inside edge of line.Stamp stars randomly on the front door panel, and add texture as desired with the rounded end of a ballpeen hammer. Stamp or hammer a design or pattern on th …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsWire wrap all the metal, pearl and crystal beads before assembling.For each earring, Rita used 18 - 4mm crystal bicones in mixed reds, greens and whites, 6 - 3mm bicones, 6 white pearl beads and 6 corrugated silver plated beads.Attach 4 dangles to each jump ring all the way down the chain in a pleasing manner, with the 3mm crystal dangles near the top.Each earring uses 9 jump rings to create a chain.Earring nuts with a flange distribute the weight, making …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsRoughen the bail with sandpaper before gluing.Use adhesive to: * Seal the front and back of the image. * Affix some fine glitter to the image for extra sparkle. * Attach the image to the glass tile. * Attach the bail; allow glue to cure.String onto silkie necklace cord.Free Technique Sheets & How-TosGluing Hints for Metal Findings (PDF)Suggested Supplies1 ea #60-280 Adhesive, Crafter's Pick™ The Ultimate1 pkg of 10 [use 1] #41-792-02-2 Bail, Tube Top fo …

Created by: Amy MickelsonDesigner TipsUse StazOn® ink and rubber stamps of your choice to create a festive bracelet in minutes.Choose from ready-made leather bracelets or leather strips.Since the StazOn ink is permanent, there is no need to apply a sealer to the bracelet. (We only have black StazOn, but odds are, that if you have rubber stamps, you also have a good stash of other permanent ink pads nearby...)For a step-by-step tutorial with pictures, see the Easy to Make Rubber Stamped Leather B …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsAttach the pinch bail to the top of the snowflake crystal. Align the bail prongs and the crystal hanging holes, then pinch together. Once attached, you can use nylon-jawed pliers to secure the bail by gently squeezing.Add two 8mm jump rings to the bail. Use flat-nose pliers and chain-nose pliers to twist the jump rings open and then closed. See Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Use two 4.5mm jump rings to connect the 8mm jump rings to the post earr …

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsCreate a unique, beautiful netted Christmas ornament cover with size 11 seed beads, and Swarovski crystal pearls or your choice of accent beads and drops -- free instructions, no blinkin ads, and no login required.Thread 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 …

The metallic glint of silver shade Margarita sew-ons reminds me of the retro aluminum Christmas trees of years gone by. I mixed up the crystals with TierraCast Bead caps, which echo the shape of a tree stand/skirt.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsPush the headpin up securely inside the bead cap when measuring/cutting the pin to make your loop to avoid having too much pin show.Use any color you like for the "star" on top of the tree.New to jewelry-making? For step-by-step instructions on l …

Note: this design originally used the (discontinued) Lilac Shadow color of dome bead. Suggested subs: Jet Black Large Dome, or Crystal AB Small Dome. Both are 11mm in diameter.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsAdd crystals, angel wing beads and spacers to head pins and finish with a simple loop.Because the large end of the dome beads are concave, it can be tricky to measure and cut the headpin for making your loop. Press thumb or other finger against the head of the pin, to pull it up to t …