Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut chain to a length of 8 links. Attach one end to earwire for ease in handling.Create dangles with crystal beads and round metal beads, and wire wrap directly to the chain. Add 12 dangles to chain. New to jewelry-making? For step-by-step instructions on making wire-wrapped loops, and most secure way to open and close jump rings, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).Little-known trick: Crimp Pliers are handy for tucking in trimmed ends of wire when making wire-wr …

Created by: Michelle HorningDesigner TipsSee Rustic Wire Ring blog article for illustrated step-by-step instructions for making this style of ring.Hide the cut ends of the finer gauge of wire, on the back side of the ring.The larger the swirls, and more thinly hammered, the more space it will take up on your finger, so it will be more susceptible to snagging and bending.Some styles of beads can be spun to show different sides (see back view of these scarabs, below.)Optional: before hammering end …

Created by: Sondra Barrington Designer TipsKeep gold-filled and gold-plated findings separate, and mark your supplies well!Use chain-nose pliers to turn the loop on ear wire 90-degrees so it faces side to side (not front to back). This is easier to do, before you assemble the rest of the earring components.Wire-wrap the dangles directly on loop. New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for step-by-step looping instructions. Suggested Supplies1&nbs …

Depending on the beads you use, this quick and easy unisex design can go from frilly and feminine to macho and masculine.Created by: Michelle HorningDesigner TipsFor step-by-step instructions, see the Double Wrap Hammered Ring portion of our 2014 blog post on creating rustic hammered wire wrapped Swarovski crystal rings.Make sure the ends of the large gauge wire don't hang too far over, or they will catch on things and bend."Balance" Copper Ring is a modification with two smaller beads. Add one …

This project uses Swarovski crystals. Created by: Amy MickelsonDesigner TipsCut a length of wire 20" long, or longer if desired. It is better to have plenty of wire for wire-wrapping the heart pendant, depending on how much of the crystal you want to cover.Make a 90-degree bend in the wire about 1.5-2" from the end.Slide the crystal heart pendant onto the wire it reaches the bend in the wire.Wrap the longer piece of wire around the shorter piece a few times.Use round-nose pliers to create a doub …