Rings & Things Tutorial Archives - Rings and ThingsRings and Things

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!

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.

Jewelry Making DIY – Make a Micro Engraved Pendant

October 2, 2020

Rings & Things has carried the BeadSmith Micro Engraver for about five years, and can you believe I have never tried it? I always discredited it for not being what I consider a “real” tool. Isn’t this something you would see engraving names on carnival trinket necklaces? But it turns out the Micro Engraver is actually a pretty cool tool. It is fun and easy to use, and the results are surprisingly pleasing.

If you like to draw or doodle, you will instantly love the Micro Engraver. But even if you can’t draw, you can still make pretty things that look great–just follow my step-by-step instructions.

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.

Jewelry Making with Swarovski Dome Round Stone

February 20, 2020

Swarovski’s Spring/Summer 2021 launch TIME TO SHINE is about “embracing the transformative power of time” and is “brought to life in brilliant cuts and color”. The new launch features Shape 1400 Dome Round Stone. The dramatic new shape has 90 sparkling facets and a foiled back, so it is full of sparkle and shine; plus the shape “references both past and future”.

Jewelry DIY – Colorizing Raw Brass Filigree

January 30, 2020

Rings & Things’ raw-brass filigree can be polished to a bright and shiny finish, but why stop there? The filigree are the perfect canvas for creativity, so why not use color to create a one-of-a-kind component for use in your jewelry making? Here are the steps for my (super-easy) method of colorizing raw brass filigree.

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:

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

September Sapphire

September 20, 2019

Sapphire and sterling silver are a perfect combination. This September birthstone pairing features mini-sized Swarovski crystal briolette pendants, small sterling-silver crescent-moon connector charms and petite sterling silver earwires. This design is also easily adaptable for use with any birthstone color (or just your favorite color).

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!)

Older Posts