They are also a great way to showcase cool found objects such as vintage buttons or foreign coins. Even the most novice crafter will be able to create one of these fun, mixed media pieces!
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Adding texture to metal can add interest to your handmade jewelry, and fortunately you don’t have to own an expensive rolling mill to make cool textures in metal. New to Rings & Things’ tool offerings is the Tube-Wringer, a hand-held tool that corrugates metal. With just a few turns of a turn key, you can expand your metalwork design possibilities!
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Did anyone else notice that winter hit overnight? The below-freezing temps are here and it’s time to snuggle up in our warm winter-wear! While I hate being cold, I love wearing coats and all of the fun accessories that go along with them – so I obviously need to be cute while doing it! I’ve also found a passion for the ‘DIY’ trend that seems to be everywhere these days, and I have created a basic tutorial for applique work using Swarovski crystals and an old headband I found in my closet!
Supplies
1 – John James Beading Needle, Size 10
1 – The Beadsmith Braided Bead Thread, .006in, 28yd spool (I used White)
288pcs (2 gr) – Swarovski Crystal Jams, 4mm (I used Bohemian Rhapsody) OR any color Swarovski Crystal Bicones, 4mm
9 – Swarovski Double Spike Beads (I use 12mm Metallic Light Gold 2x)
10 – Swarovski Wild Heart Crystal Beads (I used 12mm Golden Shadow)
2 – felt squares, about the size of your hand
Pair of scissors
Now the Fun Part!
The beauty of this project is that you can use an assortment of crystals! I try and keep a good balance of large and small crystals, with the larger ones being the focal point. My image above shows my color and size assortment. I went for more of a neutral color palette, really playing off of the golds and light pinks. The Rings & Things Exclusive Swarovski Crystal Jams bead mixes are great for something like this, as they can help you develop a strong color story from the beginning.
First, I started by arranging my larger beads in various patterns (2 options I came up with are above). I knew I wanted to do some kind of floral-inspired design. For some people, it may be easier to roughly draw something as well.
Needle & Thread Basics
I began by cutting a strand of Power Pro bead thread that was about the span of my arms; you can start with a smaller strand than this as this may be easier to manage at first. This thread is pretty amazing – I would not recommend using other threads that you may find at the fabric store because the crystals can actually cut through that type of thread! Power Pro by The BeadSmith is much more sturdy, and you would hate to lose your Swarovski crystals because of the wrong thread!
Once the needle is threaded, tie a basic knot; I did three loops to create a thicker knot.
Step by Step
1. Now it’s time to sew the final design onto the felt. I like to start at the center of my design when I’m sewing on the crystals. Since you have the basic design laid out and your needle threaded, start by holding one crystal in place with your thumb and index finger; insert the needle from the BACK SIDE of the felt so that the needle appears near the edge of the crystal where the hole is located (see FRONT SIDE image below). The knot that you made should be on the back side of the fabric.
2. Thread the needle through the hole in the crystal, and insert the needle back into the felt. Make sure to stay near the crystal’s edge where the needle just exited the hole.
3. Continue doing this for the center crystals (ie. my ‘petals’) and expand to any other large crystals you have (ie. my ‘leaves’). Once you have each of these sewn on, leave your thread where it is. No need to knot anything.
4. Go ahead and grab your smaller beads – Here, I’m using the 4mm Swarovski Bicone Crystal Jams. We will begin where your left your thread after completing the larger crystal beads. Place 2 bicone crystals on your needle and push them down the thread. I wanted to arrange my bicones around my larger crystals as an outline. As soon as they fit snug against the felt, insert your needle back into the felt, staying close to the edge of the bicone. Continue your way around, using two bicones at a time
This is a fun time to play with color! My outlines consist of 3 or 4 different colored bicones, and they really play off of each other in different lights!
**If you ever run out of thread, just tie a knot on the backside of the fabric, and start a new needle & thread!**
5. Once I made my way around, I decided to add a second outline with the bicones. It is completely up to you – be creative and try some different things! Once you have finished sewing all of your Swarovski Crystals, insert the needle down through the front side and tie a knot in the back; you can use the same knot technique that was demonstrated earlier!
Creating a Finished Edge
1. Cut the felt around the crystals, leaving 1/4 inch allowance on the outside.
2. Take your second piece of felt and cut an identical piece
3. Time to start with some fresh thread! Tie the same knot as shown above and insert the needle from the backside, to the front side like below. Pull the needle through until the knot is snug underneath.
4. Grab your second piece of felt and place it underneath your original piece. Insert your needle through both pieces of felt, starting with the new piece. See photo below for reference. Pull all the way through; the felt should curl up as you pull the thread as tight as you can.
This second piece of felt hides all of the thread work you have underneath, while also stabilizing and protecting these stitches from wear and tear.
5. Start working your way around the felt, using the same technique in step 4. You can see the difference in the two photos below – I have completed the technique on the upper right hand side.
6. Once you have completed this step, your applique is complete! You can use this for scarves, headbands, gloves, apparel, etc. I have attached this to a headband, and I used the same technique from steps 4 & 5. It’s that simple!
All of us at Rings & Things would love to see any applique work you have created! Please send us pictures or post them below! 🙂
Happy Winter!
– Laura
Ball Chain + Swarovski Rivoli + Silver Plated Charms
I love sweet little customized necklaces! These necklaces make the perfect gift for girls of any age! As an added bonus, these necklaces are very quick, easy, and affordable to create! They would be an ideal item for people to customize on an etsy store, or for people to create on the spot at a craft fair as a build your own necklace!
The total cost for making 20 necklaces, with a charm and a set Swarovski crystal= $85.05 or about $4.25 a necklace. That will also leave you with chain and clasp to make another 40 or so necklaces! One spool of ball chain can make over sixty 18-inch necklaces! The more necklaces you make, the cheaper each one will cost to make.
Supplies for this project (plus jump rings and ball chain clasps, not pictured)Total = $85.05
To make these necklaces you need just three tools: round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, and wire cutters. Follow these simple steps to make the necklaces!
Step 1: Cut your chain.
Cut chain in between two ball segments
18 inches is standard length. If you are going to do this as a build your own for a craft fair or event, cut several at the same time.
Step 2: Set your crystals.
The 14mm rivolis will be just a little loose in the bezel setting.
Squeeze your round nose pliers around the loop at the top!
It only takes a few seconds to set the crystals! Once the bezel is squeezed the crystal will be secure in the bezel.
Step 3: Add jump rings to your crystals.
Use the stainless steel jump rings for extra security. Remember to twist the jump ring apart, not pry it open.
Step 4: Add jump rings to your charms.
Same deal, twist apart, don’t pry open. This way the jump ring will close flush!
Step 5: Create! Mix and Match!
Pick a crystal!
Pick a charm!
String onto cut chain.
Step 6: Add a clasp to your necklace.
Drop ball end into the opening on the clasp.
Pull chain to the side, so that it clicks into place!
Endless possibilities!
Craft Fair or Show Idea! Build-Your-Own Necklaces
This is a great project to do for yourself as gifts, but it is also great for a build your own necklace at a craft fair or show! Simply have all the components ready to go, and let people choose what they want! Make a price sheet that charges a base price and then additional for each charm or crystal they want to add!
Make a display/station at a show where people can make their own necklace!
One dish with charms, one dish with crystals.
Online Store Idea! Customize your own Birthstone and Charm Necklace
Have an etsy store? Etsy has made it so easy to add customizable items to your store! Take a photo of all the options of crystals and charms you offer, and make an item in your store that people can customize! People love custom items! I choose these crystals to coordinate with birthstones and a random assortment of charms, but you could pick whatever colors and charms you like!
Choose your crystal color!
A. Silver Shade (Diamond)- April
B. Provence Lavender (Alexandrite) – June
C. Light Rose (Rose Zircon) – October
D. Lt. Siam (Ruby)- July
E. Siam (Garnet)- January
F. Amethyst– February
G. Sapphire– September
H. Denim Blue (Blue Zircon)- December
I. Aquamarine– March
J. Emerald– May
K. Peridot– August
L. Lt. Colorado Topaz– November
Choose your charm!
A. Watering Pail
B. Bumble Bee
C. Dragonfly
D. Cross
E. Tennis Racket
F. Basketball
G. Horse
H. Skeleton Key
I. Flying Bird
J. Yoga Om
K. Soccer Ball
L. Feather Charm
Matching Earrings? Why Not!
Light rose rivoli earrings on silver plated kidney wires
Sapphire rivoli earrings with TierraCast Fleur di Lis post.
I just love these necklaces so much! I especially love these rivoli bezels. They are super easy to use, inexpensive, and a beautiful way to frame the rivolis! Of course you can always make them into to simple matching earrings too! Just add your choice of earring wires! Total cost of the earrings, around $5! Total time to make them, about 2 minutes! Not bad! Well, I hope you can see the endless possibilities with rivoli crystals!
~Tiffany White
Gemstone donuts come in a variety of stones and sizes! I love gemstones in all shapes, sizes and colors! But recently, I have been having fun with one shape in particular, gemstone donuts. They are round, washer-shaped gemstones, with a hole in the center. They come in a variety of sizes, from dime sized, to palm sized! They also come in a variety of stones. Continue Reading…
Sweet and Simple Swarovski Crystal Earrings!
Swarovski crystal pendants are the perfect way to sparkle up any holiday outfit! And they are so easy to transform into pretty earrings! There are so many different shapes and colors to choose from, you may have trouble deciding which ones to get! You can literally make any of these earrings in under 5 minutes!
I love all the different shapes and colors they come in!
Your choice of earring findings, jump rings, and crystals!
All that you have to do to make these earrings is attach the crystal pendants to the earring findings with jump rings! Depending on what way the earring wires face, you can use one or two jump rings to make sure that the crystal faces forward. Just remember when you open jump rings to open them by twisting ends away from each other, not pulling apart sideways. For some earrings I used decorative post findings, for some I used kidney wires. And if you have someone with really sensitive ears, try the niobium french wires! They come in a variety of colors, though I am partial to the bronze, because they match antique brass findings so well.
Here are the exact color, size and shapes of crystals I used for the earrings below! All the jump rings are 6mm.
Here are all the designs I came up with and created in under 20 minutes, total!
These earrings feature antique gold Grecian post (no longer available), yellow plated jump rings, and Swarovski pear pendants in crystal gold patina(no longer available).
These earrings combine Swarovski queen baquette pendants in crystal aurora borealis, antique brass jump rings, and niobium earring wires.
These earrings feature Swarovski baroque pendants in crystal paradise shine and antique silver fleur di lis post earrings..
These earrings feature Swarovski crystal red magma spikes, silver plated jump rings and silver plated kidney wires.
These earrings use cute antique brass replica Chinese coins, that I punched with a metal hole punch, antique brass jump rings, bronze niobium earring wires, and Swarovski true leaf pendants in crystal luminous green.
These earrings have antique copper filigree flowers , antique brass jump rings, bronze niobium wires, and Swarovski oval pendants in crystal golden shadow.
As you can see the possibilities are endless when it comes to making earrings from Swarovski pendants! There are literally hundreds of crystal pendants to choose from and thousands of possible combinations with all the different earring findings! The best part, they are so fast to make! You can make all your Christmas presents in one afternoon! Or keep them all for yourself!
~Tiffany
When I first saw the cool shape of Swarovski’s crystal dome beads (from their Fall/Winter 2014/15 Innovations), two thoughts immediately came to my mind – bell and angel skirt.
Dome Bead Innovation
This tutorial shows you how to use these sparkling faceted beads to make angel skirts for earring designs. The exact same combinations can also be used to make single angels for pendants, bookmarks, gift tags, and more!
There are two styles of Swarovski dome beads to choose from. The large dome beads give you a more elongated shape:
Article 5541 Large Dome Beads
The small dome beads have a more rounded out bell shape:
Article 5542 Small Dome Beads
The main components of any crystal angel design are: halos, heads, wing beads, and bodies:
Angel Earrings in Progress
TierraCast makes a variety of wing bead styles. Additional wing beads are also available in base metal and sterling silver.
Various Metal Wing Beads
Popular bead styles for halos include heishi, and beaded heishi beads as well as rhinestone rondelles.
Metal Halo Beads
Here are several combinations of halos, wings, and bodies in different colors and sizes. For a complete parts list of supplies ready to buy, click each image below! (Or browse our Rings & Things Design Gallery.)
Heavenly Angel Earrings
Lilac Shadow Angel Earrings
Angel in Training Earrings
Blue Shade Angel Earrings
Christmas Angel Earrings
Forest Fairy Earrings
Other popular shapes for body include the Teardrop bead and the cone-shaped Swarovski Crystal Artemis bead.
Crystal Angel Earrings with Teardrop Beads
Artemis Crystal Angel Earrings
Keep in mind that angels can be any color! Choose whatever colors you like for whatever mood you’re in!
Dark Fairy Earrings
No matter whether you’re preparing for Christmas or you’re a year round angel aficionado, take inspiration from these designs and create your own heavenly host.
~ Rita
“On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a Partridge in a Pear Tree.”
Here’s a fun way to remember the rest of the gifts in the “12 Days of Christmas” song: Make yourself a bracelet with a charm representing each gift.
“12 days of Christmas” DIY Charm Bracelet
Jump Ring (and Chain Link) Security Tip
Tip 1) Toggle clasps are great for bracelets because they are easy to put on and take off with one hand, but beware: If the bracelet is too loose, the toggle can work its way out and cause the bracelet to get lost! Whenever possible, adjust the length to fit the wearer’s wrist. (I removed 7 links to get it to fit me properly. )
Tip 2) Because you pull the bar (or “T”) portion of the clasp through the round loop, toggle clasps work best if you don’t dangle any charms from the last link or 2 of chain.
There are approximately 40 links on this bracelet.
There are approximately 40 links on the pictured bracelet. I removed 7 to make the bracelet fit more securely. This leaves 33 links.
The charms look best if you have a charm on every other link, and an empty link at each end. That takes up 25 links.
This leaves 8 links (4 open spaces to attach fun dangles for the full length of the bracelet, following the same every-other-link pattern as the charms). That brings us to…
Festive beaded head pins for “12 Days of Christmas” Charm Bracelet
Make 4 or more beaded head pin dangles. (I made 21.)
“Pear Tree”
I topped every dangle with a tiny 2mm round gold plated bead. Why? Even though I’ve been making beaded head pins for over 20 years, I still (too often) chip glass and crystal beads when I finish my loop. A simple metal bead on top fixes this issue.
I also put a tiny round bead at the bottom of (almost) every head pin. Why? I like the look of ball-end head pins, but they are more expensive than standard “nail head” pins. This tiny extra bead creates the look of a ball-end head pin.
Close-up of beaded Christmas head pins. Use either Swarovski crystal head pins or standard head pins — or a mix of both.
Start placing your charms, then finish making the dangles. Straighten the bracelet chain and place it on the Chain Sta (“Chain Stay”), or pin/hang the bracelet on a convenient shelf, clipboard, etc.
The “Chain Stay” chain holder makes it easy to keep your chain straight and add dangles at consistent intervals without worrying about losing count.
Starting at approximately the 6th link from the Ring portion of the clasp, add the Partridge.
Partridge
Use large, sturdy jump rings to attach the charms in the same order as the verses in the song. To make sure you get your jump rings securely closed, use 2 pairs of pliers, and twist, don’t “oval-ize” the links. (See above tip.)
Skip a link, add #2) Turtle Doves
Skip a link, add #3) French Hens
Keep skipping a link before adding the other charms in the following order:
#4) Calling Birds
#5) Gold Rings
#6) Geese-A-Laying
#7) Swans-a-Swimming
#8) Maids-a-Milking
#9) Ladies Dancing
#10) Lords-a-Leaping
#11) Pipers Piping
#12) Drummers Drumming
After placing the charms, fill empty end spots with colorful dangles:
For a mostly-gold bracelet, you’re done!
Or … If you decide the bracelet needs more color, fill the links between the charms with additional colorful dangles in shades of siam red, emerald green, opalescent milky white and sparkling crystal.
12 days of Christmas bracelet … finished!
Put the Christmas color dangles in any order you want, or use my “bird-brain” memory hint:
Some of these birds are easy to remember, especially once you have pictures (charms) for each. But I’ve never seen a French Hen or a Turtle Dove in real life, so I surrounded my turtle dove with “turtles are green” and “doves are white” sparkling hints.
Left to right: Partridge with pears, Turtle Dove with sparkling green and white hints, French Hen, open-mouthed Calling Bird
Rings & Things has everything you need!
Purchase Christmas Components Here
When you’re making jewelry, center crimp cord ends are an easy way to cleanly finish the ends of a wide variety of jewelry cord including but not limited to leather, silk ribbon, and chain.
Center crimp cord ends are an easy way to cleanly finish the ends of a wide variety of jewelry cord.
You can finish your necklace or bracelet with a loop and a hook:
Use loop and hook center crimps together.
Or, use two loops and the clasp of your choice (shown here is an “S” hook clasp):
Using two loop crimp ends and a clasp.
Here is how to apply the crimp ends:
1. Gather your supplies. All you really need are the crimp ends, some round nose pliers (or non serrated chain nose pliers) and of course your cording material. Super glue is optional, but adds extra security.
Supplies for applying center crimp ends: Crimp ends, pliers, cording & Glue.
2. For added security, put a dab of super glue inside the crimp end. Slide the cording end(s) into the crimp end. Do this quickly before that dab of glue dries.
Insert the cording into the center crimp end. A dab of glue will offer added security to your clasp.
3. Holding the crimp in place over the cording, use your pliers to firmly squeeze the center portion of the crimp and clamp it down on the cording.
Firmly squeeze the center of the crimp end.
4. Once crimped, the center of the end piece will be flattened down on the cording. Crimping the metal on top of the glue will ensure a secure connection for jewelry designs.
A crimped end piece.
Center crimp ends with loops combined with an “S” clasp and leather cording make a simple yet stylish bracelet.
Crimp ends shown using a variety of cording and clasp options.
Here are some jewelry inpirations that incorporate the use of center crimp ends. These designs and more can be found in our Jewelry Design Gallery where you will find the complete supplies list as well as tips from the designer. Click on the images to take you there.
Go West Necklace Tutorial by Mollie Valente
Basic Black Bracelet Tutorial by Rita Hutchinson
Bastian’s Earrings Tutorial by Lindsey Green
New Connection Necklace Tutorial by Karin Davis
Now that you know what to do with center crimp cord ends, don’t be shy! Use them to make bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more.
Did you know? You can Shop for center crimp cord ends here.
Happy creating! ~ Val
I must admit, polymer clay is a material I rarely think of using when creating jewelry designs. But lately, I have seen some jewelry on etsy and pinterest that have made me second guess this almost forgotten medium. I mean it is very versatile. It allows you to create simple, yet modern and edgy designs. So when I was faced with the daunting task of making something with polymer clay my mind went straight to an ombre design. When something is ombre it means it is graduated tones of colors, like a sunset. Perfect, I thought! I will make sunset ombre pendants! And I must admit, I love how they turned out!
Ombre Sunset Pendants, made with polymer clay
To get started with this project you need to only invest in a few supplies.
All you need to make a Ombre Sunset Pendant!
To make these Ombre Pendants, simply follow these steps!
Using your craft blade, cut up all the polymer clay into small pieces.
Continue cutting up the clay, until you have three small piles of colorful cubes.
Sort the colors into the categories above. They do not need to be exact. This is art after all!
Once you have sorted all the colors of polymer clay you can begin to mix your colors. Warm hands are necessary for this step!
Roll the two colors between your hands until you can form a snake.
Fold the “snake” in half and continue to roll the clay out into another snake.
Repeat this process, over and over again, until you see the colors blend completely into one.
After you have mixed all the colors, roll them into about 1 inch cylinders. Place them in order like a rainbow.
Flatten each piece by rolling it with a rolling pin or jumbo magic marker. Roll them about 1/4 inch thick.
After you have flattened all the colors, stack them like a rainbow.
I decided that I wanted to have the ombre pattern work out from the center of the pendants, so I sliced the cane in half and layered it together, so that the yellow sides matched up.
Make sure the two halves are combined by rolling them together a bit with either a small rolling pin or jumbo magic marker.
Cut a thin slice of the cane and lay the bezel on top of the slice. Using your knife, trim the clay to the shape of the bezel.
Press the polymer clay into the bezel, making sure that it fills the whole bezel.
Using your craft blade, trim all the excess polymer clay. There will only remain a very thin slice of the clay in the bezel.
Bake the polymer clay pendants on a sheet pan for 10-15 minutes at 275 degrees.
After you bake the bezel cups, you now have completed pendants! They will have a matte finish, which is nice, or if you want you can make them shiny, like I did, by adding a thin coat of resin spray. After the resin spray dries, you can either hang them from chain to make a necklace, or from jump rings and earring wires to make some bright, vibrant earrings!
These earrings are just the pendants I made, connected to silver filled earring wires with large 10mm jump rings.
Click here to buy supplies to make these earrings!
One of the pendants I made, simply hanging from silver plated cable chain.
Click here to buy supplies to make this necklace!
Well, I hope you like how these turned out as much as me! My mind is racing now with design ideas. Being that Rings & Things is based out of Washington state, I think I will make some green and blue ombre pendants to support my Seahawks! Plus, I really want to make some with the bezel cup rings that we carry! Happy polymer claying!
~Tiffany White
Geisha Creations