cardboard turquoise rings

If you are a long time reader, you will know that I LOVE getting creative and turning simple materials into something really fun! And cardboard is one of my favorite things to create and craft with. My parents will even tell you that when I was a kid, I would go through the trash looking for cardboard to use in my art projects. Cardboard is super versatile and it takes layers of paint really well. So well that you can even create jewelry with it. Today I thought it would be fun to share some turquoise cardboard rings that I created for my online class Camp Wanna-Create. This project is super simple but ends up being really dynamic!

I started with cardboard from our recycling bin and cut it into shapes. I collect turquoise statement rings so I cut my shapes a little larger.

Next I gave that cardboard a few thick coats of paint. While cardboard will never be waterproof, painting it will seal the surface from everyday wear.

After those layers of color dried, I used a rag and began dabbing different shades of turquoise, white and black onto the surface. My goal was to create a turquoise inspired look.

I continued to build up those layers of color with both a rag and a brush.

Then with a tiny brush I added a few details to look like veins in turquoise. 

Then I used gold acrylic paint around the edges to give the look of a soldered bezel.

Once the paint was dry, I gave everything a thick coat of polyurethane.

Last, I glued the cardboard to a ring back.

The result are some really unique turquoise rings that were made mostly from materials in our recycling bin!

butterfly rings

As many of you know, I LOVE shrink plastic! There are so many different ways to use it and one of my favorites is using it to make funky rings. There are so many different things that you can create from shrink plastic and I thought butterflies would make super cute little statement rings.

I started by drawing butterflies on a sheet of shrink plastic. While shrink plastic comes in many colors, I used black shrink plastic and a white paint pen. Keep in mind that you will need to use permanent pens on that shrink plastic.

Next, I cut out the butterflies and then I baked my designs in the oven for about 1 minute at 350 degrees. Shapes and designs will shrink a lot- like 50%.

While they were still warm, I softly bent the wings up to give the butterfly a little bit of dimension.

Once the butterflies cooled, I glued them (using a heavy duty glue) to ring backs.

The result are really fun and whimsical rings!

Looking for more ring projects?

wood burned rings   shrink plastic rings   stone statement ring   faux turquoise ring   colorful clay statement rings   flower rings  shrink plastic eye ring  wooden bead ring   marbled statement ring

shrink plastic eye ring

As many of you know, I LOVE shrink plastic! There are so many different ways to use it and one of my favorites is using it to make rings. With Halloween right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to make some rings that had a little bit of a spooky (but not too spooky) twist!

Eyes are totally trending right now and I thought they would be the perfect imagery for my rings. I starting by drawing some really bold and graphic eyes on my shrink plastic. Shrink plastic comes in all kinds of colors and my favorite is back because you can use a white paint pen for some really high contrast drawings.

Next I cut them out and baked them in the oven according to the directions. 

I removed the eyes from the oven I glued them (using a heavy duty glue) to ring backs.

The result are simple but BOLD rings that add a tiny touch of Halloween to an outfit!

Looking for more ring inspiration?

wood burned rings   shrink plastic rings   stone statement ring   faux turquoise ring   colorful clay statement rings   flower rings

flower rings

I love finding ways to create unique jewelry and now that Lucy is older, I love creating cute little accessories for her. To be honest, this fun ring project started out for Lucy but I loved them so much that I made some for myself!

Oven bake clay (or polymer clay) is so much fun because it is so versatile. It is also one of my favorites for making colorful jewelry. 

Begin by selecting a few different colors of polymer clay.

Roll them out, press and sculpt into the shape of flower petals.

Press those petals together.

Continue to create petals and stack them on top of each other.

I created a variety of different flowers in different colors and shapes.

Bake the clay in the oven according to the directions.

While the flowers look great simple, I love using acrylic paint to add details to the polymer clay. 

Last, glue the clay flowers to ring back. I like using E6000 glue.

These rings are so cute, whimsical and perfect for anyone wanting accessories with a little color!