HOME | DD

Description
This tutorial features a really elegant looking wire ring, which can be made with little to no wire working knowledge and basic wire working tools.

Very important: Do not use pliers with teeth on wire! The teeth will mar the surface of the wire and ruin your piece.

Your best bet for these tools is a local craft and hobby shop or bead store. You can substitute dowels or other small round items (drill bits and sockets work well) for a ring mandrel if you don't have one or don't want to purchase one (yet - just wait until you get the wire bug!). Hardware stores or your own garage are a good source of needle files and rubber mallets.

For the wire, I personally recommend Parawire's craft wire or possibly Beadsmith's craft wire to practice with - don't waste your money on sterling silver, argentium silver, or gold fill yet (or ever, if you don't want to).

Work hardening is a tutorial of its own, but in this case all you need to know is put the ring snugly on the mandrel and tap with the rubber mallet. This will harden the metal and make the ring sturdier.

Description
This tutorial features a really elegant looking wire ring, which can be made with little to no wire working knowledge and basic wire working tools.

Very important: Do not use pliers with teeth on wire! The teeth will mar the surface of the wire and ruin your piece.

Your best bet for these tools is a local craft and hobby shop or bead store. You can substitute dowels or other small round items (drill bits and sockets work well) for a ring mandrel if you don't have one or don't want to purchase one (yet - just wait until you get the wire bug!). Hardware stores or your own garage are a good source of needle files and rubber mallets.

For the wire, I personally recommend Parawire's craft wire or possibly Beadsmith's craft wire to practice with - don't waste your money on sterling silver, argentium silver, or gold fill yet (or ever, if you don't want to).

Work hardening is a tutorial of its own, but in this case all you need to know is put the ring snugly on the mandrel and tap with the rubber mallet. This will harden the metal and make the ring sturdier.