Create Colorful Jewelry with Mirage Beads and Mermaid Scales

May 12, 2022

If you are looking to make colorful things, here are two products sure to please: “Mirage Beads” and “Mermaid Scales”. Both come in bold bright colors and the possible design combinations are (almost) endless. I chose to make dangly earrings using my favorite Mirage bee beads and bright purple Mermaid scales. Read on for instructions and inspiration…what will you make?

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How to Make a Silk Ribbon and Cameo Bolo Tie Necklace

March 9, 2022

It is March, and we are all ready to transition into Spring. For me, part of that transition is the jewelry I wear–the heavier, darker jewelry makes way for lighter and brighter accessories. With this in mind, here is a fun and colorful take on the traditional bolo tie, but made with dyed silk ribbons and flat-back cameo cabochons. The project assembles pretty quickly, so you too can be ready to welcome Spring!

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How to Make Beaded “Guitar String” Hoop Earrings

October 14, 2021

I have been admiring the cool guitar string jewelry that keeps popping up online. As a jewelry maker, I would love to make my own. But sadly, I lack the most crucial component–the guitar strings. (Oh, what to do? Give up? Nope.) For this project, I turn Memory Wire and Spring Bracelets into my own style of guitar-string earrings. It’s easy, it’s fun, and if I can do it, you can too! Read on to learn how.

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How to make Swag-Style Chandelier Earrings

September 17, 2021

The “TierraCast Hammertone Stitch-in Link” is designed for use as a stitched-in end for seed-bead work, but I think it works equally well as a chandelier-style connector. In this project, I combined swags of cable jewelry chains to make long chandelier earrings. They are simple and yet dramatic. In celebration of the start of Autumn, I made antiqued copper earrings, but don’t feel limited–supplies are available in four different plated finishes: silver, gold, antiqued brass, and antiqued copper. So you might want to make more than one pair.

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How to make a “Piano Wire” Bracelet

July 22, 2021

Rings & Things’ spring wire bracelets aren’t piano wire. But if you don’t have a spare piano to tear apart, they are a perfect substitute. The 7″ spring bracelets are soft and slightly stretchy, making them super comfortable to wear. They are easily connected and do not require a clasp or the use of any tools. Use them individually or by the bundle; they are the perfect backdrop for beads and charms. Now, let’s make a “piano wire” bracelet!

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Jewelry-Making DIY – Soldered and Stamped Mixed-Metal Word Charms

July 16, 2021

I am not a fantastic metal stamper, and sadly, practice doesn’t always make perfect. I am the queen of stamped four-letter words, and even those are crooked. But actually, what I need is a process that camouflages my imperfections as rustic charm and offers the opportunity for do-overs. If this sounds too good to be true, it’s not–read on to learn how in this step-by-step tutorial.

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Earring Upgrade for Sensitive Ears

June 24, 2021

If you have metal allergies, chances are your jewelry box has one or more pairs of abandoned earrings due to the ear wires causing an allergic reaction. Fortunately, this is easily remedied simply by changing out the ear wires–a task you can do yourself. Read on to learn about the supplies you will want, the tools you will need, and the instructions to turn those old abandoned earrings into your new favorites.

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Make a Gemstone Bolo Tie

April 2, 2021

The bolo tie is a truly American piece of jewelry. Appealing to diverse groups of people, bolo ties have gone in and out of fashion over the years. They recently became popular again when Prada introduced a bolo tie (that’s right, I just used “Prada” and “bolo tie” in the same sentence). But before you consider spending $300 on a Prada bolo tie, why not craft your own? Bolos can be made out of so many objects, such as vintage pins, bottle caps, old coins, buttons, or a gemstone donut. And whether you are Mid-Century Western, 1980’s New Wave, or 21st-Century Pop Culture–a bolo tie is the perfect statement piece!

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Jewelry-Making DIY – Charming Pollinator Bee Earrings

March 19, 2021

Here’s a jewelry project to welcome in Spring Time! The “Busy Bee” Earring project celebrates our friend the bee and his contribution to our world through pollination. Honey bees bring us beautiful flowers, healthy food and even clean air. To help protect the bee and other pollinators, Rings & Things has joined with the Pollinator Partnership; when you purchase bee-related items from Rings & Things, a portion of the sale goes to support this non-profit organization and their mission. So get busy and make some bee-related jewelry; the bee and Mother Earth will thank you for it!

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