ECT TV Episode 7: Circle Ring Tutorial

How to Make RingsJewelry Tutorials
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ECT TV Episode 7Welcome to ECT TV Episode 7!I'm so excited to share this episode because this tutorial is really so much fun!Here's video for ECT TV Episode 7:Getting Started Making Rings With No Tools:You can give this tutorial a try before you invest in tools to make jewelry.1.  Try using cylindrical things from around the house:  big markers or pens, paintbrush handles or anything else that seems about the right size.2.  Dowel rods as mandrels - go to the hardware store and find a dowel rod that's the right size.3.  Inexpensive ring sizer.  Ring mandrels are metal or wood, but you can find hard plastic ring sizers that will work as long as you're not hammering too much.4.  This project uses a pair of serrated pliers.  You can borrow these from your toolbox.  Mine are from my dad.  They even have wire cutters included, so you could try this project with just that one tool.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialThis unique ring is a lot of fun to make.  Make sure to check out the end for a fun twist to bling up the ring!Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialTools and Materials:

  • 22 Gauge Wire (round, half-hard)
  • Ring mandrel (or see suggestions above)
  • Serrated pliers (they have teeth)
  • Wire cutters
  • Chain nose pliers (non-serrated, no teeth)

Step #1Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialCut a piece of 22 gauge wire to about 12 inches.  Set it aside momentarily.Step #2Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWorking from the spool of wire, wrap around your cylindrical object or ring mandrel about 4 or 5 times.  If you're using a ring mandrel, I used about the size 4 area of it.Step #3Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialCarefully slide the coil off the ring mandrel.Step #4Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialFind the middle of the 12" wire you cut before and then bend it around the ring mandrel with the ends of the wire pointing straight up.Step #5Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialSlide the coil you made onto the wire.  The 2 loose ends with come up through the middle of the circle.Step #6Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialPull the wires to the side.Step #7Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWrap both wires around the back of the mandrel being careful not to twist them.Step #8Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialThen pull the ends of the wire up into the middle of the circle and out again.  Go around the back of the mandrel again.  I did this so I had 5 wires showing in the back.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialStep #9Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialCarefully pull the ring off of the mandrel.  Wrap the loose end around the wires of the base of the ring next to the circle on each side.Step #10Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialPlace the ring back on the mandrel.  Push it down as far as it will go.  Use serrated pliers to pull the loose end down as tightly as you can and then up.Step #11Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialPull the ring off the mandrel.  Continue wrapping around the sides near the circle three more times.Step #12Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialOnce again, place the ring back on the mandrel and pull the loose wires tightly and then up.Step #13Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialTrim off the excess wire so that it ends on the top.Step #14Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialUse chain nose pliers (non-serrated) to push down the end of the wire.Step #15Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialYou might find that your circle will turn into an oval.  If this happens, just put the circle on the mandrel and reshape it.Step #16Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialFinally, the last step is taking care of the ends of the wire from the circle part.  Just wrap them around in through the circle next to the other wraps from the ring and trim off the excess on the top of the ring.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring Tutorial I love this ring as is.  It's simple.  It's beautiful.  It goes with everything.  But if you want a little more sparkle and bling, here's how to add it!Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialYou follow the same exact steps as above with one little change.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialAdd beads to the wire before you form the circle part of the ring.I added about 35 seed beads.  I also put a bit of tape on the end of the wire to hold on the beads before I wrapped the wire around the ring mandrel.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialThen you follow the same basic steps outlined above.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialWhen you first put the circle onto the other wire, adjust the beads how you would like them.  They will mostly stay in that position.Alternatively, you could add even more beads and have it solidly beaded.Wire Wrapped Circle Ring TutorialTIP:  I didn't even realize I did this until I was editing photos, but when I was wrapping the ring, I got some of the beads caught in the wraps on one side.  Be careful to get your wire in between the wire, not under it.Other ideas for Customization:

  • Bead it solidly.
  • Make the circle a different color metal from the rest of the ring.
  • Multicolored beads.

Want to learn how to make more rings?  Check out my 6 Wire Wrapped Rings Tutorial:6 Wire Wrapped Rings TutorialClick here to learn more about it this great group of digital ring tutorials!

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