Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Valorie Nygaard-Pouzar   Designer Tips  Measure the distance from the centermost point of the ball chain (this size is .25") and mark the increments on the back of the leather bracelet.Use an awl to pierce holes in the leather in the places you marked. If you have a sewing machine, you can pierce the leather bracelet using an unthreaded sewing machine.Stitch the ball chain onto the bracelet using Griffin silk cord (which has a built-in brass needle). Make one, or make …

Created by: Sondra Barrington Designer TipsThe ring connector is the focal of this bracelet. For a more free-flowing design, attach charms to the leather cording.Wire-wrap a pearl bead with a large loop, directly onto the large ring connector. (You may need to use a heishi bead to hold the pearl onto the head pin.) For step-by-step wire-wrapped loop instructions, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Cut leather flush (flat) after measuring. Insert leather into the cord end, and gently but firm …

Created by: Sondra Barrington This design uses a pearl bead (one of June's birthstones). Use a pearl bead from your bead stash to create this design as-is, or substitute other charms, beads, or birthstones in place of the pearl bead and swirling side charms.   Designer TipsMake a wire-wrapped head pin with the pearl bead (with a loop large enough to slide freely along the leather). See step-by-step instructions in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF). You may need to use a heishi bead or seed bead to h …

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: Rita Hutchinson Just 3 parts total: leather cord, leather-hole pearls, and a link about the size of a quarter (around 25mm). Choose from a wide variety of link options in sterling silver and gold fill.  Designer TipsDetermine finished necklace length (this piece is about 28").Tie a double overhand knot at one end of leather. Slide all 4 pearls on the leather from the other end.Tie silver link to the other end of the leather with another double overhand knot.Settle one pearl …

For their safety and your health, pearls and shells should always be drilled, reamed, etc underwater.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut a small piece of leather to test the hole sizes as you are reaming.Hold the pearl and bead reamer tip underwater, and ream in a back and forth motion, from both sides of the hole.Cut 8 lengths of leather approx. 48-52" each.Tie an overhand knot, about 3-5" from one end, slip on a pearl, and tie another knot to hold it in place. Repeat on the other end o …

Created by: Valorie Nygaard-PouzarDesigner TipsCut the leather at an angle to assist in fitting two ends through the hole of the cross connector. For a better grip on the end of the leather, consider using serrated flat-nose pliers to pull the leather through the hole.Loop the leather ends through to make a lark's-head knot.String the beads onto the leather cord.For added strength, add a dab of Bead Fix™ to the leather ends before crimping.Crimp by squeezing the center of the crimp firmly with r …

You may have seen some fun leather earrings cut out in the shape of a petal. Why not take it a step further and add some extra pizazz! Just adding some chain and a couple of crystals gives them a little bit of sparkle.   Created by: Summer Melaas Designer TipsMake a paper template in the shape of a petal. Mine was about 2" in length and 1.5" in width at the widest point.Trace with a small black Sharpie on the top of the leather. You may think, "Why not the back?" If you cut from the front o …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsFreshwater pearls often have small holes. If the hole is too small, use a thinner headpin, or ream the opening with a battery operated bead reamer (#69-058).Fold deer hide in half, and make a larks-head knot on the sterling link, being careful to keep the cord flat.The deer hide cord is very supple. Cut the end at an angle and "screw" into the center crimp. For best results, bring lace all the way through the crimp portion, trim end flat, and pull back int …