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DIY Jewelry Projects

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!

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How to make a “Piano Wire” Bracelet

July 22, 2021

Rings & Things’ spring wire bracelets aren’t piano wire. But if you don’t have a spare piano to tear apart, they are a perfect substitute. The 7″ spring bracelets are soft and slightly stretchy, making them super comfortable to wear. They are easily connected and do not require a clasp or the use of any tools. Use them individually or by the bundle; they are the perfect backdrop for beads and charms. Now, let’s make a “piano wire” bracelet!

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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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Make a Gemstone Bolo Tie

April 2, 2021

The bolo tie is a truly American piece of jewelry. Appealing to diverse groups of people, bolo ties have gone in and out of fashion over the years. They recently became popular again when Prada introduced a bolo tie (that’s right, I just used “Prada” and “bolo tie” in the same sentence). But before you consider spending $300 on a Prada bolo tie, why not craft your own? Bolos can be made out of so many objects, such as vintage pins, bottle caps, old coins, buttons, or a gemstone donut. And whether you are Mid-Century Western, 1980’s New Wave, or 21st-Century Pop Culture–a bolo tie is the perfect statement piece!

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Jewelry-Making DIY – Charming Pollinator Bee Earrings

March 19, 2021

Here’s a jewelry project to welcome in Spring Time! The “Busy Bee” Earring project celebrates our friend the bee and his contribution to our world through pollination. Honey bees bring us beautiful flowers, healthy food and even clean air. To help protect the bee and other pollinators, Rings & Things has joined with the Pollinator Partnership; when you purchase bee-related items from Rings & Things, a portion of the sale goes to support this non-profit organization and their mission. So get busy and make some bee-related jewelry; the bee and Mother Earth will thank you for it!

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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.

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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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How to Make Chainmaille-Style Earrings

April 17, 2020

If you love the look of chainmaille, but lack the necessary skills (count me in), then this “beaded-jump-ring” earrings project is just for you. I designed this project with ease of assembly and classic design in mind, resulting in a pair of earrings that look fancy complicated, but aren’t. Plus, the components I selected are available in a myriad of finishes and/or colors, so you can customize this project to your individual preferences. Read on for everything you need to know!

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