FULL GUIDE

Turn individual jewelry parts into something entirely your own. HHH Designs carries bolo tie supplies, belt buckle components, leather fringe, chains, beads, charms, findings, tools and other creative pieces collected over more than 40 years.

Whether you’re making one item for yourself, creating products to sell or purchasing supplies for a group or business, this guide will help you understand the parts and start planning your next project.

Need larger quantities? Bulk pricing and wholesale lots are available on many products. Contact us with the item numbers, quantities and types of pieces you need.

Make Your Own Bolo Tie

A bolo tie can be as simple or detailed as you want it to be. Start with a bolo slide or base, add a centerpiece and finish it with cord and bolo tips.

Common bolo tie supplies include:

- Bolo slide or bolo base

- Braided leather, faux leather or fabric cord

- Metal bolo tips

- Cabochon, charm, stone, concho or decorative centerpiece

- Jewelry adhesive or resin

- Jump rings or other connectors, depending on the design

A bolo slide is the fitting on the back of the centerpiece that allows it to move along the cord. Some slides include a locking mechanism, while others use tension to stay in place.

A cabochon is a smooth, flat-backed decorative stone, glass piece or acrylic component. Cabochons are commonly placed inside bolo settings, buckle blanks and pendant bases.

Before attaching your centerpiece, make sure it fits the base properly. Clean both surfaces, test the placement and use an adhesive intended for the materials in your project. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s directions and allow the piece to cure fully before wearing or selling it.

HHH Designs also offers ready-made bolo ties for boutiques, gift shops, weddings, formals, western events and other special occasions.

Design a Custom Belt Buckle

A buckle base gives you a foundation for creating a custom western buckle. Depending on the style, you can add a buckle insert, stone, cabochon, concho, charm, bead mosaic or layered collection of components.

Possible materials include:

- Belt buckle base or blank

- Buckle insert

- Cabochons or flat-backed stones

- Metal charms and stampings

- Beads

- Decorative chain

- Resin or jewelry adhesive

Lay out the complete design before gluing anything into place. For mosaic-style buckles, begin with the largest centerpiece and arrange smaller beads or findings around it to fill the remaining space.

Bulk buckle bases, inserts and ready-made buckles may be available for designers, western retailers, event vendors and other businesses.

Create With Leather Fringe

Leather fringe can add movement and western style to clothing, accessories and jewelry. Use it to customize:

- Boots

- Jackets

- Purses and tote bags

- Hatbands

- Earrings

- Necklaces

- Bracelets

- Costume and performance wear

For clothing or bags, fringe may be sewn, riveted, tied or attached through punched holes. For fringe earrings, cut or select matching sections and connect them to fish-hook ear wires with jump rings.

A fish hook is a curved earring finding with a small loop at the bottom for attaching beads, charms, chains or fringe.

A hole punch can be used to create clean attachment points in leather. Always test your tool on a scrap piece first and make sure the hole is the correct size for your jump ring, rivet or other connector.

If you’re making multiple matching pieces for a dance team, boutique, wedding party or event, ask us about bulk quantities.

Make Necklaces, Pendants and Chains

To create a basic necklace, start with chain, cord or beading wire. Add a pendant or focal piece, then finish the ends with the appropriate clasp and findings.

Useful necklace-making parts include:

- Chain, cord or beading wire

- Pendant, charm or cabochon

- Bail

- Jump rings

- Crimp beads

- Spring-ring, lobster or toggle clasp

- End caps or cord ends

- Needle-nose pliers and crimping tools

A bail is a small finding used to connect a pendant, stone or decorative component to a chain or cord.

A jump ring is a small wire ring with an opening that allows it to connect charms, pendants, clasps and other components. Open a jump ring by twisting its ends sideways rather than pulling them apart. This helps preserve its round shape.

A crimp bead is compressed around beading wire to hold the wire and clasp in place. Crimping pliers provide a cleaner and more secure finish than standard pliers.

A toggle clasp uses a bar that passes through a ring. A spring-ring clasp uses a small spring-loaded opening to fasten a necklace or bracelet.

Make Earrings With Charms, Beads or Fringe

A basic pair of dangle earrings can be made with fish-hook ear wires, jump rings and matching charms. Beads can also be placed on head pins and connected to the ear wires.

A head pin is a straight piece of wire with a flat end that prevents beads from sliding off. After adding the beads, the opposite end can be shaped into a loop and attached to another finding.

For longer earrings, combine several elements:

- Fish-hook ear wire

- Jump ring

- Short section of chain

- Head pin with beads

- Charm, stamping or fringe

Keep the weight of the finished earrings in mind, especially when working with large metal components or stones.

Create Bead and Jewelry Mosaic Art

Jewelry components aren’t limited to wearable pieces. Beads, charms, cabochons, chains, stampings and vintage findings can also be arranged into mosaic art.

Possible mosaic projects include:

- Framed initials or names

- Crosses and religious artwork

- Western signs and symbols

- Decorated picture frames

- Keepsake boxes

- Wall art

- Belt buckles

- Jewelry trays

- Mixed-media sculptures

Begin by drawing or printing a simple outline. Arrange the largest pieces first, then use small beads, rhinestones, chain and findings to fill the open spaces. Experiment with color, metal finish, texture and height before attaching anything permanently.

A shallow tray, buckle blank, wood panel, frame or other rigid base usually works best. Choose an adhesive or resin that is compatible with both the components and the base.

Our older stock is especially useful for mosaic work because it includes unusual shapes, colors and discontinued pieces that may not be available from modern suppliers.

Build Hatbands and Western Accessories

Chains, leather, beads, conchos, charms and decorative metal pieces can all be used to create custom hatbands and western accessories.

A simple hatband can begin with leather lace, braided cord or chain. Add a central concho or charm, then decorate the sides with smaller components. Make sure the finished band can be adjusted or secured comfortably around the crown of the hat.

The same materials can be used for boot decorations, purse accents, collar tips, scarf slides and costume pieces.

Essential Jewelry-Making Terms

Bail

A loop or finding that connects a pendant, stone or decorative piece to a chain or cord.

Base Metal

A non-precious metal used by itself or underneath plating. Brass and nickel are common examples.

Cabochon

A smooth, usually flat-backed stone, glass piece or acrylic component used in settings, buckles, pendants and bolo ties.

Charm

A small decorative component that can be attached to a necklace, bracelet, earring, bolo tie or mixed-media project.

Crimp Bead

A small metal bead or tube compressed around beading wire to hold it securely in place.

Fish Hook

A curved earring finding with a loop for attaching beads, charms, chain or fringe.

Head Pin

A straight wire with a flat end that holds beads in place. The opposite end is shaped into a loop for attachment.

Jump Ring

A small open wire ring used to connect jewelry components.

Split Ring

A tightly coiled ring similar to a small key ring. It provides a more secure connection for charms, clasps and other components.

Slide

A fitting through which cord or chain passes, allowing the decorative piece to move. Bolo slides are one common example.

Toggle Clasp

A two-piece clasp consisting of a bar and a ring. The bar passes through the ring to secure the jewelry.

Deadstock

Unused older inventory that has remained in storage. HHH Designs has original deadstock components dating back decades, including rare and discontinued pieces that may no longer be manufactured.

Bulk Jewelry Supplies and Wholesale Pricing

Making products for a boutique, western store, wedding, formal, festival booth or online shop? Many of our jewelry components and ready-made products are available in larger quantities.

Bulk and wholesale options may include:

- Bolo tie parts and completed bolo ties

- Belt buckle bases, inserts and finished buckles

- Leather fringe

- Chains and necklaces

- Charms and metal stampings

- Beads and cabochons

- Jewelry findings

- Mixed warehouse lots

- Vintage and discontinued deadstock

- Ready-made jewelry and accessories

Availability varies, especially with vintage and discontinued items. Some pieces have been stored in Homer’s warehouse since the early 1990s and cannot be reordered once the remaining quantity is sold.

For a bulk-pricing request, contact HHH Designs with the product names or item numbers, approximate quantities, intended project and required date. If you don’t know exactly what you need, tell us what you are making and we’ll help you find the right components.

Buy a few pieces to experiment—or buy in bulk and turn your ideas into income.

 

SHOP NOW!