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Beads

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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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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Jewelry DIY – How to make “Threader” Earrings

October 18, 2019

These sweet, petite earrings feature Rings & Things ear threads and 3mm Swarovski crystal XILION bicone beads. The featured jewelry is the perfect color for October. But don’t be limited to our pink color choice–there are dozens (and dozens) of colors to choose from–so why not make a rainbow of earrings?

*Makers Note: Sadly, in 2021 Swarovski left the DIY Market and no longer sells their crystal beads and elements to the general public. But not to worry, Rings & Things now sells sparkly Preciosa Crystals and their 4mm or 6mm bicone beads will work great for this project (just use fewer beads)! You can shop for Preciosa Crystals here:

https://www.rings-things.com/crystal/preciosa-bicone-rondelle-beads

Swarovski 5328 Beads Color and Shape Chart Sample Card

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How to Make Spiral Head Pins

August 23, 2019

Head pins are a jewelry-making staple. But in many cases, though they are necessary, they don’t add much in design value to a jewelry piece. Rings & Things offers several styles of ready-made head pins. And yes, some of the head pins Rings & Things carries are rather fancy, but not what I had in mind for a simple mixed-metal pair of earrings I was making. I needed something dramatic to combine with my favorite primitive India metal beads and a spiral shape seemed like the perfect thing. So, not having ready-made spiral head pins available, I set out to make some. (And you can too!)

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