Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Veronica Greenwood Designer TipsSimply slide the charm onto the chain, cut chain to desired length, and pop the clasp onto both ends.This ball chain is sold by the foot. Order 2 feet for a 24" necklace, and cut shorter if desired. (18" is a popular length.)Suggested Supplies1 each  #49-958-49-AS  Antiqued Silver Paw Print Charm2 feet #40-080-01-21-1  2.1mm White Plated Ball Chain1 each   #40-801-1-EA  White Plated Ball Chain Clasp  ToolsWire Cu …

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsPunch a hole in the top corners of your copper blank. File any sharp bits.Clean your blank very well with warm water and Penny Brite.Cut your 22 ga bare copper wire, and shape the wire pieces into a paw print. Make sure they are flat so that no enamel can run under the wire.Set wire pieces off to the side.Sift your 3 background colors of enamel separately (one color at a time) onto the blank in your desired pattern.Carefully move your blank onto the torching …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsFor step-by-step illustrated instructions to make the Sundance Bolo Tie Necklace, see our blog post: How to Make a Silk Ribbon and Cameo Bolo Tie NecklaceHelpful tips for secure, professional glue bonds: Gluing Metal Findings 101.Suggested Supplies1 each #27-960-24-901 Cameo, Horse, 18x25mm 1 each #61-479-36 Hand Dyed Silk Ribbon, 32-36", Soft Rock Blend 1 dozen (use 1 piece) #36-714-1 Bolo Slide Blank, 16mm Disk - White Plated 1 strand (use 2 beads) #26-81 …

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: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCreate a bail using a 5/16" x 3" piece of 24-gauge copper sheet: Cut, file, stamp, punch and ream the holes a bit larger. Use bail-making pliers to bend the stamped piece into a bail (dead center so the holes line up). Patina after bending.Stamp the brass star charm: See Techniques for Creating Stamped Metal Charms.Create gemstone donut chainmaille: Add four 10mm jump rings to each donut. Connect two per side with 8mm jump rings. Use 8mm jump rings on the e …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsStart with plenty of 26-gauge wire, and anchor wire to one side of arc connector. Add 4mm beads and extra lashes between each bead. Finish off the end with additional anchor lashing. Tighten anchor lashes with pliers.With 22-gauge wire, create a wrapped loop beaded connector to attach crescent link to chain. Be careful when tucking in the wire tails, as the 2mm beads are easy to accidentally crush with pliers.Divide chain in half and attach clasp with medi …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsThe extra jump rings used when hanging the cluster of charms on this necklace help keep the spiral charm facing forward.For instructions on making beaded head pin loops, and the best way to open and close jump rings, see Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF)Suggested Supplies1 doz [use 1] #05-040-06-409 Bead, Puffed Rondelle - Rose Peach1 ea #50-101-23-20 Chain, 20", Snake, 1mm1 ea #44-046-72 Charm, Spiral1 each #06-428-08-400 Crystal, Pendant, Rivoli …

Created by: Michelle HorningDesigner TipsFor step-by-step instructions on creating macramé jewelry, see How to Macramé a Hemp Bracelet.A choker will usually fit as a double wrap bracelet on most people. Double the amount of working and anchor cord in the original (blog) tutorial for this project.When using this link, fold anchor and working cords with centers together, and attach to the link with a lark's head knot (see illustration below). The link replaces the shortest cord in the original tut …

This short 16.5" necklace can also be double-wrapped and worn as a chunky bracelet.Created by: Mollie Valente Designer TipsUse a steel burnisher to carefully smooth (burnish) the prongs down onto the rivoli stone in the bezel setting. For step-by-step instructions on setting a crystal stone in a bezel, see Blog Article: Step-by-Step: How to Set Rivoli Stones in BezelsUse a 10mm jump ring to attach the lobster clasp to one end of the drawn cable chain. For best way to open and close loo …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsSelect and clean two matching glass pieces.Select an image and cut it to match the glass shape and size.Carefully wrap the glass with copper-foil tape. To create a tight seal, burnish the foil to the glass (a Sharpie pen handle makes a great burnishing tool).To form hanging loops attach the crimp ends to opposite sides of the pendant's top. Jump rings can also be substituted.Flux the copper foil, apply a thin layer of soft solder over the entire copper surf …