Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

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 …

Created by: Mollie ValenteFor step-by-step instructions -- with photographs -- for this project, see our blog article: Jewelry Making: DIY Bat-Signal Magnetic Pin.Parts-List and More Links Below...Suggested Supplies1 5-pack (use 1 piece) #83-511-02-042 Glass Bezel, Oval, 35x28mm1 each #27-960-23-901 Cameo, Bat, 25x18mm1 meter (use 4 inches) #46-342-1 Crystal/ Rhodium Plated Swarovski Rhinestone Chain, 14pp1 each #38-409-1 White Plated Pin Magnet, Round1 each #60-280 Adhesive, Crafter's Pick, The …

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: Liz GrafDesigner Tips - For Necklace:String crystals, skull beads, and beads on beading cable. Finish each end with a crimp tube and wire protector.Attach spider charms with jump rings to the wire protectors on each side.New to jewelry-making?Find step-by-step instructions for finishing the ends of beading cable, and securely opening and closing jump rings, in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Cut your chain into two 6" pieces (26 links each).Attach the chain sections to the beaded section us …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsLaminate or seal the image with Crafter's Pick™ The Ultimate adhesive.Glue the image onto the blank "back" with the Crafter's Pick.Use side cutters to remove part of the "x" from the door blank. File until smooth, and then hammer for texture. Darken metal with Win-Ox™.Punch through both parts of door blank from the back to prevent deforming of metal when removing from tool.Attach the bar pin with E-6000.Free Technique Sheets & How-TosBasic Jewelry-Maki …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsUsing ball-end head pins, make 8 beaded loop dangles in flowery colors. Use one metal rondelle on each side of the crystal bead for fuller dangles. Wrapped loops will add additional length.For step-by-step instructions for making beaded loop dangles, as well as the best way to open and close jump rings, see Jewelry Basics 101 (free download below).Use a small circle stamp, to stamp a pattern in the border of the round pewter blank. Fill center with sugar s …

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 …