I think bees are so cute! I love to add them to my jewelry designs when I can. So when I discovered the Vintaj Bee Charms, my head went spinning with ideas! I really wanted to incorporate the phrase “busy bee” into the earrings, because that is often how I feel Like a busy little bee flying around! I love how these turned out! To learn how to create your own pair follow the simple recipe below!
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As you maybe can tell already, I like holiday jewelry! And one of my favorite holidays is St. Patrick’s Day! I love corned beef, green beer, and of course the classiest green accessories! If you want to whip up a few Irish necklaces this year I have a simple way for you to do so! Swarovski Clover Pendants are fun and sparkly and, when paired with an Irish themed sterling silver charm, they especially scream St. Paddy’s Day.
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Braided Triple Wrapped Turquoise and Antique Copper Curb Chain Bracelet
I love wrapped bracelets! I like to wear multiple bracelets of all different colors and textures layered. After the popularity of the wrapped leather bracelet the last few years, I decided I wanted to make another colorful wrapped bracelet. Something I could layer with my other bracelets for a super bohemian look! Continue Reading…
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
“I hear those sleigh bells ring-a-ling, jing, jing, jing-a-ling too! I think it’s perfect weather for a sleigh ride together with you”
Swarovski Pave rings are the perfect way to glam up your holiday attire!
Christmas time is almost here! And when I think about the holidays, I think about thick warm coats, soft wool scarves, my gloved hands around a piping cup of cocoa, and sparkly jewelry! Don’t you? I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but I like to wear sparkly jewelry in the winter! In the summer, I go for more beachy bohemian jewelry, but in the winter I am all about the bling! Luckily, I’ve gotten to make tons of sparkly, glamorous Swarovski jewelry lately! The newest project I am working on involves these Swarovski Pave rings. They are round rings, covered in tiny Swaorvski crystals with either one hole or two holes. They come in several colors and three sizes. I went a little nuts with them! I made four super blingy, super easy, super fancy pairs of holiday earrings.
They come in a variety of colors! Emerald, Siam, and Golden Shadow just to mention a few!
They are all made using basic jewelry making techniques. The basic skill needed to make these earrings is to know how to make a wrapped loop. You will need basic wire wrapping tools. A pair of chain nose pliers, a pair of round nose pliers and a good pair of wire cutters.
All the tools needed to make these earrings can be found in one of our cute kits! I love this glitter tool set with a nice little pouch to store it in!
I made four pairs total. One in the traditional red and green holiday colors, one with lovely silver Swarovski crosses, a sparkly blue pair with the Star of David, and a gold pair, just because I love gold! Except for the red and green pair, all the earrings have less than five total components to them. I will link all the exact parts to make them!
For all of these earrings I used sterling silver head pins and sterling silver findings and beads.
Golden Shadow Pave Earrings
Golden Earrings full of Sparkle!
I made the above earrings with the largest sized golden shadow, one-hole pave beads, Swarovski golden shadow ovals, sterling silver earring wires, sterling silver jump rings, and a sterling silver eye pin.
Star of David Earrings
Star of David Earrings in Beautiful Blue
I made the Star of David earrings with the smaller sapphire, two-hole pave beads, sterling silver Star of David charms, sterling silver ball end headpins, and sterling silver kidney wires.
Silver Cross Earrings
Cross Earrings in Shimmering Silver
The cross earrings I made with the largest crystal, two-hole pave beads, sterling silver head pins, Swarovski silver patina cross beads and sterling silver earring wires.
Red and Green Swarovski Globe Earrings
For these earrings, I will list the parts below, since there were several components. I layered different sterling silver beads onto sterling silver ball end head pins. The result is a green globe perfectly floating in a sparkly red siam Swarovski Pave bead!
Supplies needed:
String beads onto a headpin in the following order: flower spacer, stardust bead, bottom side of the pave, 2mm bead, 3mm bead, emerald Swarovski globe, 3mm bead, 2mm bead, top side of the pave bead.
Repeat for your other earring.
Make a wrapped loop on each earring using your round-nose pliers. Clip the excess wire with a wire cutter, and tuck the tail with chain-nose pliers. Be very careful when tucking the tail of the wire, so you don’t damage the Swarovski pave beads.
Red and Green Swarovski Globe Earrings
Well, I hope that these Swarovski crystal pave rings have put you into the holiday spirit! Cause if sparklies like this can’t, I don’t know what will!
~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
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