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!
Continue Reading…How to Make Beaded “Guitar String” Hoop Earrings
October 14, 2021I 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.
Continue Reading…How to make Swag-Style Chandelier Earrings
September 17, 2021The “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.
Continue Reading…The 15-Minute Earring Tutorial
May 3, 2019Do you have 15 extra minutes? Then you have time to make a new pair of earrings! Just combine your favorite decorative connector links with Swarovski crystal pendants to create these fast and easy earrings.
Continue Reading…Spacer Beads in Jewelry
December 27, 2018Do you have a favorite spacer bead? What is your go-to for your bead stringing? My favorite is…
Tiny Gemstone Beads in Jewelry
December 13, 2018The trend of using finely faceted, beautiful gemstone beads in jewelry continues.
We’ve expanded our selection of these little beauties, so lash, wrap and string until your heart’s content!
Constellation Jewelry using Ceralun Clay
November 8, 2018Ceralun Ceramic Epoxy Composite by Swarovski Continue Reading…
Fall 2018 Bead Show & Sale
October 10, 2018You are invited to our Fall Bead Show & Sale
Free admission! Share this invitation with creators, beaders and collectors – we have something for everyone!
Wholesale prices to the public. No tax ID required.
Arrive early to shop the best selection. Free on-site parking!
Bring a friend! Make a weekend trip to the Northwest.
Sign up now for the latest show info.
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DIY Men's Jewelry
July 17, 2018It’s been a while since we had an article on making jewelry for men. For me, it’s not easy to design jewelry for guys. I’ve made some jewelry for my husband over the years and I always get it back because I’ve accidentally added feminine touches (like a few tiny sparkly beads that I thought he wouldn’t notice…). To help make sure that doesn’t happen to you, I’m just going to share some of my favorite designs that OTHER people here at Rings & Things made!
This bracelet is my newest favorite:
The Dragonfire bracelet is created with 12mm round Lava Stone beads and 12mm Dragon Blood Jasper beads. We almost always have Lava Stone in a variety of sizes, but we can’t always get 12mm Dragon Blood Jasper. Lizardite and Kambaba Jasper are excellent alternatives. The beads are strung on size 6 (0.7mm) silk cord, which is wrapped onto 4-strand braided leather cord (this type of braided leather cord is normally used for Southwestern bolo ties). Complete parts and instructions for this bracelet are here.
Leather & Large Hole Pearl Jewelry Designs
April 12, 2018We have beautiful, lustrous freshwater pearls with holes sized for leather cording! Shop our 2-Day Trunk Show and Gemstone Bead Sale that starts tomorrow!
Check out our great DIY designs! For tips on working with leather, check out our Leather 101 page. Continue Reading…