Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Resin Jewelry 101 Epoxy jewelry resins are durable, usually clear or translucent, resins that come in two parts: the resin and the hardener. When the two parts are mixed together, a chemical reaction occurs that changes the epoxy from a liquid to a solid. When you mix the 2 parts together, you have the option of adding colorants and other inclusions such as sand, glitter, mica, and more.   You can add inclusions (mica, glitter, images, chain, crystals, charms...) to a bezel or a mold before …

What is Polymer Clay?Brands & StylesTools & TipsWhere to Buy ItResourcesWhat is Polymer Clay? Polymer clay is a manmade, non-toxic polymer-based alternative to natural clay. Its only real similarity to natural clay is that it is shaped while soft and then heated for hardening. Owning a kiln is not necessary for polymer-clay work, since the temperatures needed to bake it are easily achieved in a home oven (265° to 275° Fahrenheit). Each polymer-clay brand is made with its own "recipe," u …

Make your own custom charms, pendants, connectors, tags and more! Metal stamping is not only the latest craze — it's also a lot of fun and gives you design freedom. Plus, handcrafted metal components give your designs a personal touch, both in look and meaning. They can also add to the value of your finished jewelry.Outfitting Your Toolbox:It's true that metal stamping requires a bit of hardware. But, once you've acquired the necessary tools, they'll work hard for years! Here are the basics you' …

Leather continues to be a powerhouse material in jewelry fashions --especially bracelet design! Learn about various types of leather (from straps to cord to finished cuffs), and find tutorials and projects to make your own leather bracelets, handmade leather jewelry, and crafts. You can also shop our leather cord, leather straps, & leather bracelet blanks.Table of ContentsWorking with Strips of LeatherWorking with Leather Cuffs & WrapsWorking with Leather CordLeather Strips (a.k.a. Leath …

Learn popular methods for finishing necklaces and other handmade jewelry with crimps and cord ends, jump rings, split rings, knots and jewelry clasps. This page is a brief overview with links to more information. If the instructions aren't on the category page, please click into a product's details for more information. We've been in business since 1972, and making jewelry for most of those years... but every beader and stringer develops personal favorites. For more opinions and examples, you ma …