Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

TierraCast's shimmering antique bronze leather, a hammer-textured spiral link, and shiny black rivets, combine to create a barrette that's perfect for Spring bonfires and Fall festivals. This securely riveted barrette project is quick and easy to make, and uses common tools that may already be in your craft room, or a relative's basement.  Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer TipsWrap one end of leather around end of barrette so it extends about 3mm past the hole on the underside o …

Create a pair of sparkling earrings for your favorite football fan! These take just 5 minutes, and a few basic jewelry tools. No glue required, either!This pair of earrings features a "12" charm, but you could also use a team-colored Preciosa rivoli at the bottom instead. Designer TipsPlace a crystal in a setting. Use chain-nose pliers to gently press each prong into place. (more info)Make 6 beaded head pins, with one sapphire bicone bead each. For instructions on making eye pin loops, …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer Tips3 sunny shades of orange crystal bicones cascade in a warm ombre waterfall, from Vintaj hammered brass rings.Make wire-wrapped loops using ball-end head pins and 10 crystal beads, then use large jump rings to cascade them from the Vintaj® ring.Gently slide the jump rings onto the hammered Vintaj ring, so you don't scratch the ring with the open edge of the jump rings.For tips on creating wire-wrapped loops and the best way to open and close jump …

  Created by: Mollie Valente   Designer TipsStart with extra leather and thread, cutting off any excess is better than not having enough.For security, add additional stitches on the first and last beads.Stay focused, the figure-eight stitching is easily done, but it is also easy to make a mistake.Use the two-hole punch to make two opposing holes, thus turning the wavy disk into a button.For added adornment, use oval jump rings to attach themed charms.Free Technique Sheets & How-Tos …

Created by: Amy MickelsonDesigner TipsThis design uses the TierraCast hook clasp as a design element on the earrings rather than as a necklace or bracelet clasp.To avoid breakage, gently close the bails on the crystal pendants with your fingers.Slide the bail and crystal over the hook clasp, and gently squeeze the clasp closed so the bail won’t fall off.Design Option: Change the look by using a different color or size crystal spike.This project is inspired by CREATE YOUR STYLE’s "Hooked on Spike …

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: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsFollow wire-wrapped loop instructions in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF) to create wire-wrapped link sections with the crystal beads. Be sure to add the various components to your beaded links before finalizing each wire wrap! (Alternately, make simple loops, and /or use jump rings to connect the sections.)Use 24-gauge wire to link one Aurum (gold) crystal to bottom right of songbird and to 5" of chain.Use one gold crystal to link the other end of chain to bottom l …

Created by: Mollie Valente Designer TipsAttach the eye pin loop to the crystal pear charm (twist loop open and closed).String on beads in the following order: 3mm silver-plated heishi bead,4mm bicone bead, 3mm silver-plated heishi bead,4mm bicone bead, 3mm silver-plated heishi bead,6mm bicone bead, 3mm silver-heishi bead.Form the start of a wrapped loop at the unfinished end of the beaded eye pin.Prior to wrapping the loop, attach the beaded head pin to the loop of the p …

Created by: Liz GrafDesigner TipsMeasure and cut cotton cord to 20".Cut 2 sections off the chain (10 links each section).Pick out six 4mm jump rings and one 6mm jump ring.Place 8 heishi beads on the cotton cord, in the middle.Connect the chain pieces to the connector with jump rings, and connect it to the cording. New to jewelry-making? See Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Place the last 2 Heishi beads on the cord, one on each side.Add the pendant to the connector with a jump ring.Glue …

Created by: Cindy MorrisDesigner TipsAdd a bead cap, 6mm aventurine gemstone bead, and another bead cap to the eye pin, and make a simple loop. New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF).Connect the ear wire to one end of the beaded eye pin.Carefully add vine bail to flat briolette pendant, and squeeze tight with fingers or nylon-jaw pliers.Cindy used a link of her favorite cable chain as a jump ring to connect the bail to the rest of the earring. If you don't "just ha …