DIY: Rock of Ages


I have been wanting to play around with creating something from a few broken beads that I had in my crafting bin. I decided to break more of them recently to make a rock-candy inspired ring. Growing up I was not able to eat rock candy, since it was pure sugar, but my family used it from time to time. I was basically a sugarless hyper-energetic child, but in a good way! However, food in general to me is much like arteven now I can see the art in various forms of rock candy.

 

If you’ve never had this classic confection it’s made from crystalled sugar and may come in a diverse range of colours by the simple addition of food colouring during the creation process.


Rock candy, (not to be confused with sticks of Rock/Blackpool Rock) has been widely used and enjoyed for centuries. It is also referred to as candy sugar, better known from its origin of India and Iransince the ninthcentury. In some cultures it is used in teas, for medicinal purposes, and even as a sweetener in certain cuisine.  

Have you had rock candy before? Now that you know a bit more about rock candy, view my version of it below worn as a playful and uniquelystyled ring. I am so excited to wear it and already making a few other colours for friends!

Materials:
Glass Marble (1) per ring
Acrylic Beads approx. 10 pcs.+/-
Heavy Duty Glue
Adjustable ring (1)
Glitter Glue or Dried Glitter
Hammer
Scissors to cut excess (optional)
Cloth/Flannel

 


To begin, take a handful of acrylibeads and place them in a cloth (a face cloth size works fine), then hammer away at it until breaking the beads in smaller pieces. After the preferred size is achieved start to glue the beads to the top of the glass marble one by one.

If you use the clear acrylic beads like mine, they have a mirror-like film on the backside of each bead. As you hammer the beads be mindful of this so that you may have some of the beads scratched more than others on their backsideTo do this, turn some of the beads on opposite sideas you hammer away. The rubbing against each other with thcloth creates this effect.

To give my ring that extra sparkle and more depth I used the backside of the beads as I glued them, creating somewhat of an asymmetrical raised shape. By using my technique when the light hits the ring, it now has a sparkling effect with the mirrored edges dispersed throughout the ring. 

Afterward, I added dried glitter-glue atop the now formed rock. You may also use loose glitter to carefully drizzle small parts of the rock. Let dry. Lastly, attach the rock to the adjustable ring. Let dry, and wear!

*Further reading and fun facts on candied rock here. 

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66 comments

  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thanks Alexis! 🙂

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    🙂 Thank you dear.

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    🙂 Thank you dear.

    Reply
  • Margaret Cruzemark says:

    Great idea. I love this ring.
    Best Regards
    Miss Margaret Cruzemark
    http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  • Margaret Cruzemark says:

    Great idea. I love this ring.
    Best Regards
    Miss Margaret Cruzemark
    http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  • Alexis Grace says:

    You are so creative– never would I think to turn broken beads into such a pretty ring!!! Great DIY!

    Reply
  • Alexis Grace says:

    You are so creative– never would I think to turn broken beads into such a pretty ring!!! Great DIY!

    Reply
  • Kimberlee VDW says:

    What?! This is awesome! lol Sweet looking ring and seems fairly easy. I got a ring in my Julep box that you were supposed to paint the bottom with and put that clear stone over it (sorry… name is popping up right now). I totally could have used that to create this look instead!

    Reply
  • Kimberlee VDW says:

    What?! This is awesome! lol Sweet looking ring and seems fairly easy. I got a ring in my Julep box that you were supposed to paint the bottom with and put that clear stone over it (sorry… name is popping up right now). I totally could have used that to create this look instead!

    Reply
  • Maria Bastida says:

    Cool idea and very easy to make. Thanks for sharing it 🙂

    http://thegoldenpaillettes.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  • Maria Bastida says:

    Cool idea and very easy to make. Thanks for sharing it 🙂

    http://thegoldenpaillettes.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    xxoo 🙂 Thanks so much lovely.

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thank you! x Glad that you enjoyed it.

    Reply
  • Akinyi Ragwar says:

    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog! I would to follow you, I'm going to follow you now on Bloglovin' and GFC! I hope you do the same!
    For your post, What a beautiful ring, your so creative! You should seriously sell that on pinterest or your blog! So coool!

    xoxo Akinyi
    Keep in touch!

    http://fitsonme.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • laura says:

    Omg, Madison! This looks awesome!!! i was just thinking about what to do with all my glass beads that I don't need anymore, and this is the perfect solution! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Street Fashion PARIS says:

    Always love your DIY!

    Reply
  • Erika Sorocco says:

    I can't tell you how much I love this, Madison. And how much I've loved it since spotting it on Instagram. This is such a brilliant creation! 🙂

    Reply
  • tia_cherie says:

    This is so pretty. You amaze me with your DIYs every time.

    tia-cherie.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    xxoo 🙂 Thanks so much lovely.

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thank you! x Glad that you enjoyed it.

    Reply
  • Akinyi Ragwar says:

    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog! I would to follow you, I&#39m going to follow you now on Bloglovin&#39 and GFC! I hope you do the same!
    For your post, What a beautiful ring, your so creative! You should seriously sell that on pinterest or your blog! So coool!

    xoxo Akinyi
    Keep in touch!

    http://fitsonme.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • laura says:

    Omg, Madison! This looks awesome!!! i was just thinking about what to do with all my glass beads that I don&#39t need anymore, and this is the perfect solution! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • mochaccinoland.blogspot.com says:

    great diy! the end result is pretty amazing.

    xoxo
    mochaccinoland.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • Street Fashion PARIS says:

    Always love your DIY!

    Reply
  • Vanessa, Take only Memories says:

    That ring turned out so beautifully! Great idea!

    Reply
  • Erika Sorocco says:

    I can&#39t tell you how much I love this, Madison. And how much I&#39ve loved it since spotting it on Instagram. This is such a brilliant creation! 🙂

    Reply
  • tia_cherie says:

    This is so pretty. You amaze me with your DIYs every time.

    tia-cherie.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • mochaccinoland.blogspot.com says:

    great diy! the end result is pretty amazing.

    xoxo
    mochaccinoland.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • Vanessa, Take only Memories says:

    That ring turned out so beautifully! Great idea!

    Reply
  • Rosalind Jana says:

    That's such a creative use for broken (or purposefully smashed) beads and the end result is stunning.

    Reply
  • seaandswank says:

    What an awesome idea for a DIY – the ring is gorgeous.

    Sea and Swank

    Reply
  • krystal/avillagetown.com says:

    that is awesome! i would never think to do this…but great diy

    Reply
  • Rosalind Jana says:

    That&#39s such a creative use for broken (or purposefully smashed) beads and the end result is stunning.

    Reply
  • Elle Sees says:

    Love this!!!!!

    Reply
  • Carrie Critton says:

    Amazing DIY, darling!
    You are so creative!

    xoxox,
    CC

    Reply
  • Always Maylee says:

    What a great idea for a DIY. I love how it came out, so pretty!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

    Reply
  • seaandswank says:

    What an awesome idea for a DIY – the ring is gorgeous.

    Sea and Swank

    Reply
  • miranda says:

    Great DIY!!!

    XX,
    Miranda

    Reply
  • femmefrugality says:

    Whoa! I love it! So pretty and super creative!!!!

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thank you Jamillah. x Enjoy the week.:-)

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thanks doll. Yeah, I have a few friends who want some, so I may sell a limited number soon. 🙂 xx

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Haha! 🙂 *blushes* Thanks for your sweet comment. Glad you liked it too!

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thanks so much Cee! This was one of my recent favourites! xx 🙂

    Reply
  • Oh to Be a Muse says:

    Never had rock candy before, but I do like your version of it with the ring. I need to be more creative! 🙂

    Reply
  • krystal/avillagetown.com says:

    that is awesome! i would never think to do this…but great diy

    Reply
  • Adeola Naomi Aderemi says:

    I am so in love with this DIY!!!
    Amazing!!!!

    Reply
  • Elle Sees says:

    Love this!!!!!

    Reply
  • Carrie Critton says:

    Amazing DIY, darling!
    You are so creative!

    xoxox,
    CC

    Reply
  • Dainty Doll says:

    It came out beautifully!! I have lots of pieces that have been broken, I really should sit down sometime and re-create something from them!! This looks like something from the store, it's awesome. Well done you :)) I hope you have a gorgeous week doll xx

    Reply
  • Always Maylee says:

    What a great idea for a DIY. I love how it came out, so pretty!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

    Reply
  • Annie says:

    That ring is SO pretty!

    Annie

    The Other Side of Gray

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thank you Jamillah. x Enjoy the week.:-)

    Reply
  • A Very Sweet Blog says:

    Madison that ring is so awesome! HaHa I love it! What a sparkly statement piece! Looks great on your hand. Great job and beautiful work doll.

    Reply
  • Cee says:

    You always come up with the best DIYs, Madison! I would never have guessed you made this ring yourself, it looks like something you could buy at any accessories store. Well done! And such a creative use for broken beads, too 🙂
    xox,
    Cee

    Reply
  • Daniella says:

    That ring is so striking my dear. You've done an amazing job 🙂

    Take care and have a wonderful week,
    Daniella xox

    Reply
  • francesca romana capizzi says:

    Naaaaaaaaaaah you genius!! I can't believe you made a ring with brokend beads!!

    Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger

    Facebook

    Bloglovin'

    Reply
  • mosamuse says:

    oh i like this!!
    nice inspiration
    xo

    MOSAMUSE

    http://www.MOSAMUSE.com

    Reply
  • Jamillah says:

    oooooooooo, came out beautiful! i love the idea of crushing those little guys to make a crystal situation. came out gorgeous!

    Reply
  • Girlie Blog Seattle says:

    What a fantastic idea. yes, I've had rock candy when I was a kid, but never thought of wearing it as jewelry. Great idea.

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    That's great Emmy, yes, a friend of mine uses it also for a Chinese dish, hope it's delicious. Thanks for your comment.

    Reply
  • Ladyofashion says:

    Thanks! I am very proud of this one and so glad that it came out the way I wanted. xx

    Reply
  • Emmy MW says:

    That ring is pure awesomeness! And I do have rock candy at home coz I bought it for this chinese dish recipe I wanted to make (but haven't yet):)

    Reply
  • Dina's Days says:

    I am in love with this DIY! I couldn't wait to see the final product when you posted it on IG. This is such a brilliant idea. I might try it!

    Reply
  • Lilli C. says:

    Seriously Madison, you have been so good! Great job, really love the result, too precious!:) Kisses dear! xo

    http://lilliness.blogspot.it/

    Reply
  • Lucie Srbová says:

    Wow, this is extremely beautiful!!!! love it so much!

    Style Without Limits
    Facebook

    Reply
  • kim bim says:

    great idea, i love it, its a beautiful ring!!!
    rock4less.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply

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