Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Valorie Nygaard-PouzarDesigner TipsPatina, seal and use bracelet-bending pliers to apply a gentle curve to the metal sparrow before riveting it to the leather.For hints on applying Vintaj patina, see blog post: Customizing Tim Holtz idea-ology® Word Bands for a Handmade Look.To prevent the rivet from slipping through the leather, add washers or rivet accents to the backside of the leather. Rivet accents are ready-to-use with no need to measure or cut the perfect hole size, but they a …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsDetermine placement of vinyl heishi beads, and mark each dot with an extra-fine point Sharpie®.Punch holes in the brass blanks with the cutting end of the Crafted Findings tool.You may also need to punch slightly larger holes in the vinyl heishi beads. (Use the cutting end of the Crafted Findings tool.)For each hole, select a rivet that is about 1mm longer than the stacked components. Use the setting end of the Crafted Findings tool to set each rivet.Att …

Created by: Rita HutchinsonDesigner TipsPlan out design, and stamp words and symbols. ("I Drink and I Know Things" is a quote from Game of Thrones, and the colors used here are the colors of house Lannister.)New to metal stamping? See Metal Stamping 101Texture the blank with rounded end of chasing hammer.Apply stamp enamel per package instructions.Punch holes in bracelet with Euro Power Punch (note – The rivet length allows them to go through thicker materials; they will spin around in the cuff. …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsLay out a pattern on the blank bracelet. Free-hand, or using a ruler, mark each spot using an awl or an extra-fine point marker. (The heishi beads pictured are 18mm apart.)Punch 1/16" holes in the leather, using the cutting end of the Crafted Findings riveting tool.If necessary, use the cutting end of the riveting tool to punch 1/16" holes in the center of the vinyl disk beads. (They already have holes, but the holes might need to be larger.)Use a short …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsWhen scouring yard sales and 2nd-hand stores for old watches, try to pick up a wide variety of brands and eras, for the best variety of gears. Or look for bulk watch gears on etsy, ebay or amazon. To get the widest variety of gears, consider both small tins and bulk bags from a few sources.Wear safety glasses when cutting, drilling or punching.Lay out pattern; carefully set aside, away from your hammering surface.Decide the size rivets yo …

 Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer TipsCut a strip of 20-gauge sheet 2.75" long. Smooth and straighten with a nylon hammer.Optional: Texture or stamp (see "How to Make a Metal-Stamped Charm" technique sheet below).For a matte finish, scrub the surface with steel wool (or even a green dish scrubbie!).File the corners and edges smooth using a #2-cut needle file.Use a pair of nylon-jaw ring-bending pliers to bend the band into shape. Overlap the ends at least 0.25".Check the size on …

Leather continues to be a powerhouse material in jewelry fashions --especially bracelet design! Learn about various types of leather (from straps to cord to finished cuffs), and find tutorials and projects to make your own leather bracelets, handmade leather jewelry, and crafts. You can also shop our leather cord, leather straps, & leather bracelet blanks.Table of ContentsWorking with Strips of LeatherWorking with Leather Cuffs & WrapsWorking with Leather CordLeather Strips (a.k.a. Leath …

Created by: Mollie Valente   Designer TipsTo add texture, place the metal blank on the steel block and use the ball end of the hammer to make a lightly hammered surface.After hammering, the metal blank will be work-hardened and will require annealing. Place the blank on a fire block and use a micro torch to anneal the piece. Cool to room temperature. Bonus: annealing also serves to heat patina the piece of metal.To bend the bail, place the metal blank in the jaw of the bail-making pliers, c …

TierraCast's shimmering antique bronze leather, a hammer-textured spiral link, and shiny black rivets, combine to create a barrette that's perfect for Spring bonfires and Fall festivals. This securely riveted barrette project is quick and easy to make, and uses common tools that may already be in your craft room, or a relative's basement.  Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue   Designer TipsWrap one end of leather around end of barrette so it extends about 3mm past the hole on the underside o …

 Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue Designer Tips Always wear safety glasses when cutting, drilling or punching.The bobby pin is a little heavier gauge than recommended for the punch, so use a drill press if you have one, or punch very carefully (and be sure you know where you stored your replacement pin).Lay the sprocket and 25mm round blank on top of each other; use center punch to mark exact center of the blank. Punch or drill the blank.Lay components together, and rivet. The 1.8mm …