Come make a ring with me!!! - Tutorial

I wanted a ring to go with the earrings I was wearing this morning, and when I started to make it, I thought I would share the process with you!

I used 22 ga copper wire from Rings & Things and 5 tumbled sleeping beauty turquoise chips.

Cut a piece of wire 11 inches long. (as you can see I am back to my old messy habits......)



I chose these chips for my focal



Find the middle of the wire and slide on several of the chips depending on the size you want.



Use a ring mandrel to get the correct size for your ring. I wear 8 1/2 - so I want to start my ring 1 full size up from that. Place the middle of the wire with your beads on the 9 1/2 mark on the ring mandrel.



Wrap the wire from front to back, and then bring the ends back around to the front again.



Take the wire on the left and go under the focal and up to the right, and the right wire over the top of the focal and down to the left.


Repeat this step again - left, under, up right - right, over, down left. Depending on the length of the tail, you can do this step several times.



Remove the ring from the mandrel and wrap the tail of the wire down the shank of the ring. Clip the excess after 6 or 7 wraps, or just take it on down til you have finished with the wire. Repeat with the other side.



This is where the magic happens. Now when you slide the ring back on the mandrel - it is a full size smaller!!! I use a dead blow hammer and beat the band of the ring to strengthen it without mashing it.


And there is my new little sleeping beauty!!!



Once you learn the basics you can go crazy and make all different kinds!!!
One of my favorites is the one I made on with the 28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead from Rings & Things! I would love to see what you've made!!!



*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program