40 Wirework Spring 2011

Classic pearl ringIt takes minimal time and materials to craft this refined wire ring.

by John Penning

© 2012 Kalmbach Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.WireworkMag.comWırework TM

www.WireworkMag.com 41

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stepbystep

1 Cut 10 in. (25.4 cm) of 20-gauge (0.81 mm) wire, and pull the ends upward gently to give it a slight curve. On the curved wire, center a 4 mm bead, a 5 mm spacer, a 6 mm bead, a 5 mm spacer, and a 4 mm bead.

2 Position the beaded wire on a ring mandrel at the mark that’s one half size larger than the desired ring size, keeping the beads tight together and immobiliz-ing the mandrel in a vise or against your chest. Wrap each wire end around the mandrel, making sure they don’t cross.

3 Grasp both ends of the wire, and wrap each end around the base of the group of beads. Each end should point back toward the side it came from.

4 Remove the ring from the mandrel, and wrap each wire end around the adjacent shank of the ring, just below the bead group. Make a total of three wraps on each side.

5 Trim each wire tail inside the shank so the wire tips sit in the “valley” between the shank wires. Press the wire tips into the valley. Using chainnose pliers, gently squeeze the wire wraps in place.

6 Place the ring back on the mandrel. If the ring is smaller than your desired size, use a leather mallet to gently tap on the 6 mm bead and the 5 mm spacers a couple of times. Turn the ring over, and repeat. If desired, polish the ring in a rotary tumbler or with a polishing cloth.

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materialsRing• Sterling silver wire: 20-gauge (0.81 mm),

round, dead-soft, 10 in. (25.4 cm)• 6 mm crystal pearl• 2 4 mm crystal pearls • 2 5 mm spacers

tools & supplies• Wirework toolbox, p. 8• Ring mandrel• Vise (optional)

John Penning has been making wire jewelry for six years. He enjoys the satisfaction of creating something

beautiful with his hands, a few tools, and basic supplies. He’s fond of this ring because it’s simple in concept yet also refined and complete. To see more of John’s work, visit www. wirewrappedgemstones.com.

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Your complete beading resource

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Make this crystal bracelet in under 1 hour

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SPECIAL FOCUS:TOOLS & STUDIO

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• Security for your home studio p. 34

Mokume-gane ring by Deborah Fehrenbach, p. 74

TOOLS

• 10 top jewelry makers name their must-have tools p. 46

• What's in a gem buyer's toolkit? p. 24

• How to make your own bench knife p. 42

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July

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HOW TO MAKE JEWELRY YOU’LL LOVE!

Make a bracelet to match the

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STRING TILA BEADS FOR CHIC BRACELETS & EARRINGS!

MIX BOLDCOLORSfor beautiful summer jewelry One palette,

multiple design options

p. 2860+design ideas and tips

EDITOR’S PICKS Treasures from the

Tucson bead shows p.56

Make Laura Shea’s clever beaded beads p. 66

Aug

ust 2

012

Issu

e 11

0

Your complete beading resource

®

PLUSBraid a chunky summer necklace

Design jewelry with movementVintage buttons: real or fake?

Make this crystal bracelet in under 1 hour

Nobody does it quite like Sherry Serafini! Follow her lead to

make this playful bracelet, p. 36.

Braceletbonanza!

3 ways to customizemetal findings tomatch your project

Make great shapes with brick stitch

Make rivoli bezels with filigree

Stitch a classic cuff with Tila beads

Highlight a gemstone cab with pearls

Thread orbeading wire?We help youchoose

p. 13

Liven up your look with9 great bracelet styles

July

201

2

R

HOW TO MAKE JEWELRY YOU’LL LOVE!

Make a bracelet to match the

necklace!

STRING TILA BEADS FOR CHIC BRACELETS & EARRINGS!

MIX BOLDCOLORSfor beautiful summer jewelry One palette,

multiple design options

p. 2860+design ideas and tips

EDITOR’S PICKS Treasures from the

Tucson bead shows p.56

Make Laura Shea’s clever beaded beads p. 66

METALS

STUDIO

®JULY 2012

Learn a new approach to mixing metals p. 74

SPECIAL FOCUS:TOOLS & STUDIO

BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED PROJECTS

DON’T MISS:Metalsmithing 101: Raising & Sinking p. 20

Flex Shaft: Finishing & Polishing p. 28

Foldforming techniquestake the pitch out of chasing p. 38

• How to set up your metal clay studio• A peek at dream studios p. 65

• Security for your home studio p. 34

Mokume-gane ring by Deborah Fehrenbach, p. 74

TOOLS

• 10 top jewelry makers name their must-have tools p. 46

• What's in a gem buyer's toolkit? p. 24

• How to make your own bench knife p. 42

and more!

FREE PDF!25 ClassicToolReviews

p. 60

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