by Deborah Kelly
Now available made-to-order from DCDK.Jewelry
Materials Needed
5 – 18 or 20 gauge round wires 5 ½ inches long
1 – 20 or 22 gauge round wires 9 inches long
3 to 5 size 11 seed beads that fit on the smaller wire
Tools Required
Flat or Chain nose pliers
Wire Cutters
Ring mandrel
Instructions
Step 1
Take the 5 larger gauge wires and straighten them. Lay the 5 wires side by side.
Step 2
Take the pliers and bend the end of the smaller gauge wire over to form a hook.
The hook should be shorter than the width of the 5 wires next to each other.
Step 3
Use the hook to go around the bundle of five wires, about ½ to ¾ of an inch to one side of center on the 5 wire bundle.
Use the pliers to crimp the hook around the bundle of wires.
Step 4
Wrap the smaller gauge wire around the 5 wires that are bundled side by side three times.
Step 5
Bring the wrapping wire to the side the wire was started on.
Cut it long enough to fold over at lest two of the wire bundled together.
Step 6
Repeat on the other side of the center of the bundled wires about the same distance from the center.
Leave about 1 1/8th inches between wraps for a ring size about a 7 to an 8 ½, leave more room for ring larger sizes and less for smaller size.
Step 7
Separate the wires of both ends of the ring right after where the band is wrapped.
Step 8
Wrap the ring band around a ring mandrel 2 sizes smaller than the intended size.
Interlace the ends of the wires, bending them slightly around the ring mandrel as they are being interlaced.
Make sure when interlacing the wires to alternate sides so no wires from the same sides are next to each other.
Step 9
Pull the interlaced wires tight and smooth down onto the ring band, check your wires to make sure none of them crossed.
Gently force the ring down the mandrel till you get it to about 2 sizes bigger than you want the ring to be.
Keep the ends of the wires tight as it is forced down the mandrel.
Step 10
Take the remaining small wire and make a hook on the end.
The hook needs to be long enough to go at lest half way down the center of the interlaced part of the ring.
Take pliers and bend the very tip of the hook in some, this makes it so once crimped around the interlaced front of the ring it stays better and is less likely to be felt.
Step 11
Hook the wire just to one side of center on the interlaced part of the ring.
Take pliers and crimp into place.
Wrap wire around twice going towards the center of the interlaced part of the ring.
Use your pliers to set each wrap nice and tight.
Step 12
On the third time the wire comes the front of the ring put the seed beads on the wire.
Step 13
Wrap around twice more setting each wrap as it is done by squeezing the wire lightly with the pliers.
Cut the wrapping wire off so it will be able to cover about half the interlaced wires on the front inside of the ring.
Bend the tip of the wire a little so it tucks in then crimped down.
Crimp wire down. Feel the inside of the ring for any sharp ends.
Step 14
Put ring back on mandrel and gently push down till it is 2 ring sizes bigger than desired.
Step 15
Take the ring off the mandrel and while holding the band of the ring grasp the wires coming off one side and bend away from the side where the last wire is on the outside of the interlaced wires.
It comes out smoothest if you can bend all the wires at the same time, however, that does not always work and it is OK to bend the wires one at a time.
Step 16
Take one side and bend the wires over the edge of the ring.
I do this with my hands if the wire is too stiff pliers may be used.
Try not to mar the wire.
Step 17
Cut the wires at about 3/8 of an inch.
Take the pliers and grab just the ends of the wires and start bending them down towards the inside of the ring.
This bends the ends of the wire more then the rest so the wires tuck in better and do not scratch the wearer of the ring.
Step 18
Go from the side of the ring with the pliers and bend the wires the rest of the way and lightly crimp them down against the band on the inside of the ring.
Feel to see if there is any sharp edges, if there are use your pliers to crimp them down a little more.
Step 19
Repeat on the other side of the ring.
Use pliers to make the inside of the ring neat.
Feel for any sharp edges.
Step 20
Put back on the ring mandrel and make sure it is the right size, if a little small gently push down on the ring till it is the right size.
Step 21
Enjoy the new ring.
