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 …