Ring Size Guide and Reference Chart by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Here is a handy, dandy Ring Size Guide and Reference Chart to use when making rings compliments of Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. It gives you 3 different ways to determine a ring size and even includes a cool little ring sizer on the bottom.

Ring Size Guide and Chart by
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

If you make rings then it would be a really good idea to print this chart up, laminate it and then hang it up where you can reference it when you need it.

Click HERE to get the full size copy.

Now go bead something.

Briolette Trapeze Earrings

Do you have ten minutes to create a pair of earrings? What if I told you that they could be done in 3 easy steps?

What if I told you they looked like this?

Briolette Trapeze Earrings by
The Quiet Lion

Now you're interested - huh?

I really like the springy, ocean-like feel to this design and the fact that they are different colors of greens and blues instead of all one color (though, they would look wonderful that way too). And, I always have some spare briolettes laying around just waiting for a project.

A little chain, some briolettes, ear wires, two headpins and ten minutes are all you need to create your own pair to wear. No briolettes - no problem. You could use probably used any side drilled bead, pearl or stone in this design too.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Crochet Ribbon and Pearl Earrings

Check out this sweet set of pearl and silk ribbon earrings:

Crochet Ribbon and Pearl Earrings
Photo and Project by Valerie for Mommy Tyme Crafts at Fave Crafts

I'm not a big fan of pink,but with all the pastel colored dresses I'm already seeing in the stores, I think they would fit right in for the upcoming Prom and wedding season. Pink - not your color (not mine either), change the ribbon and you change the look. Don't know how to crochet? Well, the stitches for this project are super-easy and all you have to do is either do an internet search for crochet instructions or go to YouTube and learn how.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

How to Set Eyelets in Leather

There's no doubt about it - the coolest trend right now is leather! But, there's no need for you to go out and buy pricey leather pieces or ready to Bling leather bracelets when you have a thrift store full of leather belts nearby.

If you do happen to have some leather pieces and need to learn to put eyelets in them, Rings N Things has a really easy, step by step tutorial to show you how.

How to Set Eyelets Project and Photo
by Rings N Things

A few simple tools that you or your significant other may already have are all you need to start creating your own brand of leather bracelets.

Click HERE to go see how to do it. And, check out the color - Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid - no less!

Now go bead something.

Byzantine Chain Bracelet

Did you know that the Byzantine Chain is also known as "Idiot's Delight?" Well, now you do; but, don't let that name deter you from making your own Byzantine Chain bracelet like this:

Byzantine Chain Bracelet by
Cafe Craftea

The Byzantine Chain technique is, admittedly, probably one of the more difficult techniques to learn; but, if you press on you will be highly reward with a lovely, slinky bracelet (or necklace) like this one by Cafe Craftea.

Click HERE to get the directions.

Now go bead something.

Bangle Charm Bracelet by the Crafty Chica

Bangle Charm Bracelet
Project and Photo by the Crafty Chica
Kathy Cano-Murillo

I absolutely adore charms! Why? Because I always have orphaned beads left over from previous projects and I love the one-of look that they give.

So when I saw this Bangle Charm Bracelet by Kathy Cano-Murillo - the Crafty Chica herself, I knew I had to share it with you.

Even if you don't have left over charms/dangles from other projects, they are so simple to make. All you need is a pair of round nose pliers, some wire, head or eye pins and your bead(s). Make a simple loop or fancy it up by wrapping it around the stem a couple of times. Even simpler is Kathy's way of stringing the bead onto an eyepin and then adding it to a large jump ring.

I can see this bracelet with lots and lots of charms - maybe even some that have some sort of personal or historical meaning to you. And, if it were me, I would add multiple charms to that one jump ring to make it even more fun to wear (and hear)! I may even make my own bangle bracelet - but, you can buy these simple bangles everywhere.

Click HERE to get the directions.

Now go bead something.

Got Kumihimo?

Beads, fibers, braid and weaving... who wouldn't love that? And, kumihimo is a technique that includes all of that and more. There are simple kumihimo braids, but with just another twist or the addition of different color beads or braids you can get a completely different look.

So, you've been wanting to try kumihimo, but don't want to invest a lot of money in the equipment - like for a marudai - the round topped stool with a hole in the center that most serious kumihimo artists use. Well, now there are these simple and inexpensive round and square kumihimo disks you can use to create these lovely braids. And, who doesn't have beads, cords and a few blingy crystals around - huh?

To start you off on your Kumihimo journey, here is a pretty little project from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads - a double strand necklace and earring set using Swarovski crystals, beads and silk cords.

Double Stranded Kumihimo Necklace and Earring Set
Project and Photo by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

The colorway is really lovely, but isn't this a great opportunity to create it in Pantone's Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid? Yes, it is.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.