Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Veronica Greenwood Designer TipsCut 6 inches of wire and make a small wrapped loop on one end. Make a small loop so the size 11 seeds do not go through.New to jewelry-making? For step-by-step instructions on making wrapped loops, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Thread a needle on 2 yards of thread. Add 1 higher-metallic dark amethyst seed bead as a stopper bead (string on a single bead and tie a single knot -- so it can be removed later), leaving a 6" tail.String 8 metallic amethys …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsPlan your crystal bead pattern. My pattern has 8 crystal beads per earring and goes from dark to light, creating a subtle blue ombre.Use a cup bur tool to soften the wire end of the endless hoop earring finding. Just insert the wire in the cup bur and twist until the wire edge is smooth.Start by stringing a 2.5mm round sterling bead onto the endless hoop earring finding. This bead is a buffer for the first crystal bead.String the crystal beads onto the endl …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut 2 lengths of wire, each about 30" long. You want enough to lash all the crystals, but not so much that the wire is in the way.Anchor 26-gauge wire to the heart shape, and then lash crystals in a random color pattern around the shape. Use approximately 17 beads per earring (34 beads total).Open loop on earwire, and attach to one of the lashing loops.See our Wire Lashing blog article for further details on lashing beads.New to jewelry-making? For best wa …