Jewelry-Making Resources

For a sweet and simple necklace, just slide a TierraCast paw print pendant onto ball chain, cut chain to desired length (optional), pop the clasp on, and enjoy! No jewelry pliers required.

Created by: Summer Melaas. Punch a hole in the top corners of your copper blank. File any sharp bits. Clean with Penny Brite. Cut your 22 ga bare copper wire, and shape the wire pieces into a paw print. Make sure they are flat so that no enamel can run under the wire. Sift your 3 background colors of enamel separately (one color at a time) onto the blank in your desired pattern.

This might be the easiest pair of earrings you ever make! The sweetly sparkly CZs (loose 4mm cubic zirconia stones) are available in all birthstone colors, plus jet black.

The long 5" ear threads also allow you to wear the earrings in an asymmetrical fashion, with the pearl balls suspended at different lengths. If you have double pierced ears, the long-chain tail can be swagged back through a second piercing.

These threader earrings are one of our easiest jewelry projects. Just twist open a jump ring, and use it to connect an opal charm to the ear thread's loop. Voila! A lovely pair of long linear earrings, made with box chain.

To create these sweet wire-lashed gemstone + sterling silver starfish threader earrings (also known as ear threads), lay out 10 sunstone beads in an ombre pattern. Cut two feet of the 26g wire. Wrap a few tight wraps at the top of the wire part of the ear thread, thread one bead on the wire. Holding the bead tight in place, ...

Here is a fun and colorful take on the traditional bolo tie, made with hand-dyed silk ribbon and flat-back cameo cabochons. You'll love Mollie's helpful tip for gluing items that won't sit straight... She likes to use a piece of scrunched-up foil to support the cameo and keep it as level as possible.

Make a pair of color-changing acorn earrings for your favorite squirrely person. String the 4.5mm round corrugated bead onto the head pin. String two rubber earring backs onto the head pin, the first one positioned against the 4.5mm round corrugated bead with the second one positioned about 11mm apart. The earring backs serve as bead adjusters for the large-hole mirage bead. String the Mirage...

Find step-by-step illustrated instructions showing how to engrave a pendant with an easy-to-use Micro Engraver, and create a sweet design using a rubber stamp as your template.

Stack one aquamarine bead, one twisted spacer and one citrine onto each head pin and twist wrap to close at each end, making sure to attach starfish charm to the aquamarine ends before finishing. Attach other end loops to ear wires.

Create stamped charms using Monogram stamp set. Use Stamp Enamel to make the design pop, and wipe off excess with a paper towel or soft cloth (follow instructions on package, for using Stamp Enamel). Use the crystal setter kit to stamp an indent for a crystal rhinestone. It should be deep enough to protect...

Create a colorful beaded drop for each wine glass marker, using gemstones or other beads of your choice. Add an oval jump ring to each charm so they face the proper direction. Add approximately 10 seed beads to each hoop, then a charm and beaded drop, then 10 more seed beads. Use chain nose pliers to grip the...

Created by: Mollie Valente. Designer Tips: Create a bail using a 5/16-in x 3-in piece of 24-gauge copper sheet. Cut, file, stamp, punch and ream the holes a bit larger. Use bail-making pliers to bend the stamped piece into a bail (dead center so the holes line up). Patina after bending. Create gemstone donut chainmaille: Add four 10mm jump rings to each donut. Connect two per side with...

If you buy spools of chain for various projects, you inevitably end up with scrap pieces. These left overs are too short for necklaces or maybe too fine a style to use for bracelet projects.

Clean bezels of barrettes with a clean, wet cloth and allow to dry. Paint the bottom of one barrette bezel with red paint, using smallest brush of Ranger set to ensure clean lines at the perimeter.

Created by: Valorie Nygaard-Pouzar. Designer Tips: Patina, seal and bend the metal sparrow before riveting it to the leather. For hints on applying colorants, 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. Step-by-step instructions wth pictures for this project can also be found on our blog post: Vintaj & Leather Go So Well Together!

There are so many options with these components: Both colors of Bello (manmade) opals are beautiful and full of fire, or you can sub your favorite gemstone charm or beaded drop, or make bespoke birthstone jewelry. I went with mixed metals, but you could use all gold, or switch to all silver if using sterling charms. The cascading links are technically stacking rings (for your fingers).

Like most metal clays, BRONZclay must be fired in a kiln. BRONZclay shrinks approximately 20% from package to finished product. When you create your pieces, keep this in mind. Use a decorative rubber stamp or texture plate to create a design in the BRONZclay. Use the bead reamer to enlarge the holes in the pearls. Submerge the pearl in a shallow bowl of water while reaming, and work from both sides for best result.