Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Save time with pre-drilled blanks and create a pair of fun earrings with size 11/0 TOHO or Delica seed beads in Scandinavian colors. "Tivoli" means "funfair" in Swedish.Created by: Summer MelaasDesigner TipsStretch and wax 2-1/2 yards (2.25 meters) of thread.Follow pattern, and using an edging stitch, put your first row of beads on one of the half moons. One column (fringe) at a time, add beads. At the bottom of the fringe, skip over the last bead added, then run your needle and thread back up t …

Carnelian is an A-grade agate. What a lot of people call "true carnelian" is the fiery red/orange color, and in theory, carnelian is naturally that color. However, most of that fiery red/orange "true" carnelian is heat-treated in secret before it reaches the gemstone-cutting factory. This apparently has been a secret for thousands of years; each part of the world thought everyone else's carnelian was naturally red, but they were heating theirs, too. When held against the light, the color-treated …

Discover the Story Behind Each Bead!From geology to metaphysics, this gemstone guide gives insight into the origins and uses of many gemstones that are used as beads. Most entries include:  • Origin of the stone's name  • "Also known as" (aka) names  • Chemical composition  • Where it is found  • Details about industry practices, enhancements, & synthetics  • Metaphysical properties  • History and fun trivia facts  • Care recommendationsA   Agate& …

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsThis design uses some of the palest sunstone beads on the mixed strand, but the color choices are up to you!Put one sunstone bead on your head pin. Using a wrapped loop attach your loop to the second link down on the chain of your ear thread. Finish wrapping your loop.New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for step-by-step instructions on making wire-wrapped loops.Repeat this step four more times attaching your loops to ev …

Created by: Veronica Greenwood Designer TipsCut a piece of wire and make a wrapped loop on one end. Attach your loop to your ear thread. Add one purple (amethyst) bead to the wire and finish your loop.New to jewelry-making? See Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet (PDF) for step-by-step instructions on making wire-wrapped loops.Repeat linking 5 more times with colors dark blue, light blue, green, yellow and orange.For the end, use a red bead and head pin, and do a wrapped loop to attach to the l …