Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsWhen scouring yard sales and 2nd-hand stores for old watches, try to pick up a wide variety of brands and eras, for the best variety of gears. Or look for bulk watch gears on etsy, ebay or amazon. To get the widest variety of gears, consider both small tins and bulk bags from a few sources.Wear safety glasses when cutting, drilling or punching.Lay out pattern; carefully set aside, away from your hammering surface.Decide the size rivets yo …

Created by: Amy Mickelson   Designer TipsCut the metal sheet to the desired size. File the edges smooth and punch holes in corners and on the bottom. Sand the surfaces and clean.Place inked rubber stamp on flat surface, ink side up. Press the metal piece onto stamped image and remove.If you do not like the design placement or it smudges, use StazOn® Cleaner to remove the image.It may take a few stamping attempts to achieve success. Take your time getting a good stamp before you begin etchin …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsThis simply strung repeating pattern necklace has a finished length of 18"". The wavy disk beads give the design extra dimension and texture.For step-by-step instructions for stringing with beading cable (aka beading wire), see Beading Cable Technique Sheet (PDF).To make sure the toggle clasp is easy to operate, use at least 3 small beads at each end of the necklace.Firmly flatten the crimp tube with non-serrated flat-nose pliers.Suggested Supplies1 pkg …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCut a 10" piece of wire.To straighten and harden the wire, run the length of the wire through the nylon pliers.Use the ring mandrel to form a "bubble" loop (ours is size 9-1/2).With the wire still on the mandrel, wrap a short coil to secure the round shape.Cut off the excess tail on the coil. Straighten the handle shape.Add beads to the handle in the pattern pictured or in your own pattern. End with the Opulence teardrop and a final "faceted" 3mm bead.Use r …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner Tips Arrange stones from lightest to darkest.Set first rivoli in top setting, pressing the bezel into place to hold the stone firm. Bending the bezel where the second setting attaches is a little tricky. Be patient.Set the next stone, and press the bezel to hold firm.Set the final rivoli, and press the bezel to hold in place. With the burnishing tool, go over the bezel on all 3 stones, to flatten down, and prevent snagging.Attach jump ring and hang from c …

These sparkling, shimmering beads are beautiful and easy to use. This doesn't really count as a tutorial... really I just bought one of each color and strung them on a sleek black choker. I can trade them out whenever I want to wear just a single color... or 2, or 3. No tools or extra parts required. But I've linked alternate supplies below in case you'd like to create a custom length. Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsSimply string beads onto choker in desired pattern. The on …

Technically, this sweet pendant is topped with a strawberry quartz bead, but it's every bit as full of sass as the song it's named after.Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsCut two 8" pieces of chain. Using your oval jump rings, attach one piece of chain to each side of your connector. For most secure way way to open and close jump rings, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Attach your lobster clasp to one end of your chain, and a jump ring to the other end.Cut a 6" piece of wire, and wrap one e …

Created by: Summer Melaas and Sondra BarringtonDesigner TipsFile the drop loops, to give the gluing surface more "tooth". See "Gluing to Metal" Technique Sheet below for additional gluing tips.Mix 2-part epoxy per manufacturer instructions.Glue one drop loop to top of 10mm black skull.Glue a drop loop onto top and bottom of the 14mm and 18mm skull. Allow glued items to dry.Use the non-tarnish silver wire, and wire-wrap links to connect the skulls with 4mm rondelles, in this order: 18mm skull - 4 …

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 …

Welcome to our new Jewelry Design Gallery! To browse jewelry ideas by category or theme, use the turquoise #tags below (#etched jewelry projects, #enamel projects, etc.) for all projects of a particular category. For a Jewelry Design Gallery / Resources search box, click here or press the turquoise "FREE JEWELRY PROJECTS" link near the bottom of any project's page. You might also like our blog (blog.rings-things.com), filled with step-by-step illustrated projects, and a spot for Q …