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Rings & Things Products

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 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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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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Make a Beadable Bookmark featuring a Swarovski “Cutie Cutes” Pendant

August 27, 2020

If you are looking for cute, then Swarovski’s line of “Cutie Cutes” pendant charms are just what you need. Lovable and whimsical, Cutie Cutes are a playful family of character charms. The assortment features pieces inspired by Japan’s Kawaii style, such as Bubbly Bunny, Kitty Kat, Carly Carrot, Perky Penguin, and Uni Unicorn. Available with a durable top loop, Cutie Cutes are quick and simple to attach to almost anything including Rings & Things beadable bookmarks.

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Jewelry DIY – Make Flower Earrings Featuring Dapped Filigree Bead Caps

May 29, 2020

Making your own jewelry components can add a unique look to your handmade jewelry. It can be a lot of work making jewelry parts from “scratch”, but customizing existing components is fun and easy. Here is an earring tutorial that features instructions for using a metal dapping set to turn flower-shaped filigree into large, lacy bead caps. Read on to learn more.

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DIY Masculine Lanyard Necklace

December 13, 2019

When I think about “Men’s jewelry”, bolo ties, belt buckles, cuff links, and tie clips come to mind (plus heavy gold-chain necklaces ala 1980’s Mr T). But what makes a piece of jewelry masculine? The key to making masculine jewelry is using masculine supplies and keeping it simple. Combine strong leather or waxed cotton cord with bone beads, metal beads, or glass trade beads and then add bold focal pendant. It is also a benefit if the jewelry has a utilitarian purpose.

Here is my version of “men’s jewelry” –an adjustable lanyard necklace made with guy supplies; it can be used to hold a decorative pendant or be more utilitarian as a key holder. Follow these steps to make your own:

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