226 results for 'water'

News & Information (57)

Water's Edge Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsGlue the bead cappers into the holes of the focal bead and dry according to manufacturer’s directions.Use jump rings to attach chain and lobster clasp to the fo ...

Water Droplet Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Liz GrafDesigner TipsCut 8 links of your selected chain.I deconstructed and used part of a gunmetal chain tassel, or you can use 8 links from some scrap antiqued brass cable chain.Hook Br ...

Autumn Waterfall Earrings Tutorial(Post)

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 h ...

Becoming One Necklace Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsTo make the fingerprint heart pendant, form the desired pendant shape in silver metal clay. Allow it to dry, and pre-finish, then spritz thoroughly with distil ...

Enameled Yellow Submarine Tutorial(Post)

2018 was the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine! Create your own yellow submarine using bright opaque vitreous (glass) enamels on copper sheet.  Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue &nbs ...

Square on Square Earrings Tutorial(Post)

The rounded corners of Swarovski's cushion square stone in Rose Water Opal crystal, gently echo the rounded corners of TierraCast's Flora square connector in these gently squared earrings.Created by: ...

Northern Copperhead Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsUnspool approximately 20" of copper wire. Pull it smooth with flat nylon-jaw pliers.Trim the end neatly (flush) with flush cutters.Make 6 equal sized coils u ...

Awareness Colors(Post)

Awareness Colors from Rings & Things: Find links to beads, charms, metal stamping tools and other jewelry supplies to help you create custom jewelry, key rings and other accessories to increase a ...

Metal Clay 101(Post)

Learn the basics of what metal clay is, and how to make your own custom beads, jewelry findings, and small art objects with this exciting craft medium. Find details about various brands including fir ...

Gemstone Index: Prehnite(Post)

This pale green stone has the distinction of being the first mineral named after a person. In the mid-18th century, Dutch mineralogist Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn (1733-1785) discovered it within Juras ...

Gemstone Index: Opal(Post)

Opal Gemstone Beads from Rings & Things: Opal beads have the same basic chemical composition as quartz, but usually contain 6 - 10% water. Because of this, opal jewelry components should be prote ...

Candara Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer Tips  Unspool approximately 26" of copper wire. Pull it smooth with flat nylon-jaw pliers.Trim the end neatly (flush) with flush cutters.Use ring-be ...

Red Bird Enameled Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsPosition and emboss pattern on blanks with the Big Shot Jewelry Studio and embossing die. (See Big Shot Embossing blog article)Counter-enamel the blank (fire t ...

Captured Aventurine Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsUnspool approximately 20" of copper wire. Pull it smooth with flat nylon-jaw pliers.Trim the end neatly (flush) with flush cutters.Coil the wire around a 14- ...

Gemstone Index: Apatite(Post)

Apatite Gemstone Beads from Rings & Things: The name apatite is quite appropriate, considering this mineral makes up the teeth in all vertebrate animals (and teeth are used to satisfy one's appetite! ...

Aurora Sprinkles Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita Hutchinson   Designer TipsCut bezel strip to size (one 8-12" piece) and flatten/ work harden with nylon hammer.Add texture to both sides of bezel strip with texture stamping ham ...

Go Fly A Kite Enameled Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Summer Melaas Designer TipsCarefully mark spots for holes, and use smaller end of EuroTool "helicopter" punch to add holes to corners of copper blanks.Clean the blank with Penny Brit ...

Fashion and Function Pin Cushion Ring Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Amy Mickelson Designer TipsCreate a cardboard template 2.5 times the diameter of the bezel (approximately 2.25" for this ring).Using a doubled 36" piece of sewing thread, knotted at ...

Corralled Pearls Necklace Tutorial(Post)

For their safety and your health, pearls and shells should always be drilled, reamed, etc underwater.Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut a small piece of leather to test the hole sizes as you ...

Katrina Cuff Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Learn how to colorize a textured brass cuff bracelet. Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCheck bracelet for fit, and adjust by hand as needed.Clean brass cuff with alcohol for best patina adhere ...

Purple Pillow Ring Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita Hutchinson  Designer TipsUse the ring as a template to cut the image or decorative paper to the correct size.Seal front and back of the image with a waterproof barrier before ap ...

Hidden Ecosystem Cuff Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Cindy Morris Designer Tips Stamp, hammer and punch holes in the copper until you are satisfied.File any sharp edges.Wrap the strip around a small bottle (aspirin size works well ...

Illuminating Lotus Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsThoroughly clean your blank with Penny Brite. See our enameling blog article for tips, precautions and basic instructions for preparing the piece for enamel ...

Gemstone Index: Onyx(Post)

Onyx is a striped, semiprecious variety of agate, with white, black, brown or red alternating bands. It is different from regular agate only in that the bands of which it is composed are parallel and ...

Go West Necklace Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsMaking the Pendant:Cut the handle loop of the heart charm and file smooth.Mark hole locations with a Sharpie®, and use the hole punch to make two 1/16th-inch ha ...

Funky Bohemian Spike Set Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Tiffany WhiteDesigner TipsCut three pieces of 20-gauge copper wire, each 6" long.Make a wrapped loop at one end of each wire.For step-by-step illustrated instructions, see our blog articl ...

U Look Good in Pink Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsThe ""back"" of the U shaped connector is lashed to in this design, because it has a channel that helps to hold the beads in place.Check the spacing of the bea ...

Sun Tea Enameled Pendant Necklace Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsClean the blank with Penny Brite per package instructions. Rinse thoroughly and avoid touching further.Spray klyr fire onto blank, and sift on a base coat of w ...

Pearls and Swirls Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCreate two BRONZclay™ charms according to the manufacturer's instructions. Like most metal clays, BRONZclay must be fired in a kiln. BRONZclay shrinks approxim ...

Eclipse Cuff Links Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsClip the loop off both moon charms, file smooth, and sand with a 600 grit polishing cloth.Use a dapping block to gently dome the moon charms.Soft solder each mo ...

Resin 101(Post)

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 ...

Pennant Pendant Necklace Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsUse texture plates from the tool kit to create designs on each torch-fired metal clay pennant. Patina each with liver of sulfur.Center one of the pennants on t ...

All Seeing COPPRclay® Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Joe HentgesDesigner TipsCreate the COPPRclay centerpiece according to the manufacturer's instructions. Like most other metal clays, COPPRclay must be fired in a kiln. COPPRclay shrinks ap ...

Moonshine Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsPunch a hole in the top center of each mason jar blank (available in copper, brass and sterling silver). If desired, tumble-polish or sand the blanks to remove a ...

It's Good to Be King Tie Bar Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCut the copper strip to about 2" in length. Use a texture hammer or pattern stamp to apply a random pattern. File the corners and sides until smooth.Soft solder ...

Gemstone Index: Amazonite(Post)

Amazonite (sometimes called Amazon stone) is a rare blue-green variety of microcline (a feldspar mineral) used as a semiprecious stone. Its brilliant color was once thought to be caused by coppe ...

Beachcomber Glass Vial Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Mollie ValenteFor step-by-step illustrated instructions to make this Beachcomber glass bottle treasure necklace, see our blog post: How to Make a Glass Vial NecklaceSuggested Supplies1 ea ...

Dirty Money Clip Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsClean both parts with alcohol and allow to dry. Apply flux to key points on the back of the scarab, and then apply small dots of solder to these points using s ...

Avocado Dorado Cuff Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsSolder Brass Ninja Star* to Copper Disk:If the copper or brass shapes are bent, straighten them with a steel block and nylon or rawhide mallet. (Solder doesn ...

Pleasant Dream Etched Barrette Tutorial(Post)

 Created by: Rita Hutchinson Designer TipsCut your metal sheet to desired size and use a file to round the corners and smooth all edges.Clean with Penny Brite® Copper Cleaner and scrubby un ...

Skullhead Barrette Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita Hutchinson Designer Tips Cut your metal sheet to desired size and use a file to round the corners and smooth all edges.Clean with Penny Brite® Copper Cleaner and scrubby un ...

Pawrific Enamel Necklace Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsPunch a hole in the top corners of your copper blank. File any sharp bits.Clean your blank very well with warm water and Penny Brite.Cut your 22 ga bare copper w ...

About African Trade Beads(Post)

We carry an eclectic (and diminishing) variety of African beads, both old trade beads, and newer beads made or strung in Africa for the world-wide bead trade. Trade beads are old and/or used beads, a ...

Costa Rica Sunset Bracelet Tutorial(Post)

This style of jewelry has a variety of names, including "hand chain" and "pirate bracelet". Whatever the name, we think you'll love the colors!Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsCut 2 feet of ...

Fold-Formed Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsJewelry Lab: 52 Experiments, Investigations and Explorations in Metal has a great tutorial on fold forming. Plus of course, Charles Lewton-Brain's book Foldf ...

Tangerine Delta Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Megan HoldenDesigner TipsClean the inside of the rivoli settings with alcohol swabs, and allow to dry.Place a small drop of E-6000 or GS Hypo Cement into the cup of each setting and light ...

Russ Recycles Clip Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Amy MickelsonDesigner TipsPostage stamp charmThe canceled postage stamp was scanned and reduced to fit the square picture-frame charm.Seal front and back of the image with a waterproof ba ...

Polymer Clay 101(Post)

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 sim ...

Delightfully Dotty Enameled Necklace Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsCut copper sheet to size or use a premade copper blank. If you have cut your own blank, punch hole in appropriate location and file edges to remove roughness.C ...

Jewelry-Making Materials(Post)

We strive to provide you with clear, honest information, in a complicated and ever-changing world of jewelry-making materials.Our products are made of over 500 different materials (various semi-preci ...

Good Thoughts Barrette Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsThe original alligator clip used for this barrette is no longer available, but our new French-style barrette backs are more secure (hold better in hair) and ...

Gemstone Index: Agate(Post)

No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate. This distinct and dramatically banded variety of chalcedony is composed of quartz layers. This composition varies greatly and can be of ma ...

Copper Sands Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Tiffany White Designer TipsOne meter of this chain will make approximately 9-10 pairs of earrings!Place all the crystals onto the head pins and secure with wrapped loops. (New to jew ...

Christmas Cluster Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsWire wrap all the metal, pearl and crystal beads before assembling.For each earring, Rita used 18 - 4mm crystal bicones in mixed reds, greens and whites, 6 - 3 ...

Silver Spray Earrings Tutorial(Post)

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsWhen making a large number of beaded dangles, it is quickest to do them assembly line style. Figure out the correct length for the wire, and trim all wires, st ...

Gemstone Index: Jasper(Post)

Jasper is a semiprecious chalcedony (or microcrystalline quartz), and is usually red, brown or green. Its patterns are much less regular and defined than agate, the other chalcedony variety. Another ...

Metals(Post)

Jump directly to illustration of gold-fill vs. gold plate.What are Elements and Alloys? Metals can be elements or alloys. Elements are the basic building blocks of chemistry. Examples of elements: Ox ...