How to Make a Bead Dangle Wire Ring

This is a fun and easy ring tutorial you're going to love to make a lot of.  These rings are super cute by themselves, but even cuter stacked (there's two in the photo above!)They take very little supplies.  If you don't have a ring mandrel, simply use a marker or thick highlighter to shape your ring and then measure your finger.  It might not be perfect that way, but it is doable!Make sure to read to the end so you can try out another ring that will really give you some ring and wire working skills!If you prefer a video tutorial, this was the tutorial in ECT TV Episode 22.Tools and materials:

• 20 gauge wire - you need about 3" for the dangle and a few inches for the ring base.
• A bead
• Ring mandrel (or see above for an idea if you don't have one)
• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• A second pair of pliers would be helpful - I like bent nose pliers
• Wire cutters

Step #1Leaving the wire on the spool, wrap the wire around your ring mandrel at the size of your finger.  You'll need to leave 1/2 inch on each side as well.  Cut the wire.Step #2Hold one end of the wire in round nose pliers.  The wire should be at the top, but not poke out of the top of the pliers.  As you can see, I'm using the middle of my round nose pliers.Twist your wrist away from you, using your other hand to wrap the wire around the barrel of the pliers.  After you have twisted as far as your wrist will go, readjust and then complete the loop.Note:  you are making the loop away from the middle of the wire.  (This is more clear in the next photo.)Step #3Repeat step #2 for the other end of the wire.Knotted Bead DangleNow we'll make a knotted headpin and bead dangle for the ring.  I happen to have videos for each of these techniques, so if you learn more easily with video they are here for you.  I'll also show photos and continue the tutorial below the videos.Knotted Headpin Video TutorialBead Dangle TutorialStep #4Cut a piece of wire about 3 inches longStep #5Fold the wire so there is about 1 inch on one side and 2 inches on the other.Step #6Hold the wire with the bend in chain nose pliers.Step #7Bend the shorter end up so it looks like the above photo.Step #8Wrap the shorter end around the end creating what looks like a knot.  You can do this in a "sloppy" fashion or more neatly.  Just keep wrapping around the end until you run out of wire or until you're satisfied.Trim off any excess and make sure the end is not poking out.Step #9Slide on a bead.Step #10Grasp the wire between round nose pliers.  Wrap the wire around the barrel of the pliers creating a loop.The loop will be crooked, so straighten it.Step #11Hold the loop in chain nose pliers and complete the wraps.  Trim off any excess and make sure the wire is tucked down and not poking out.Step #12Going back to the ring base, open one of the loops you made.  Open it like you would a jump ring.  So, in other words, use your chain nose pliers and open it maintaining the circle - don't pull the circle apart.For a video where I show how to open jump rings, click here.Step #13Place the bead dangle in the open loop.Step #14Place the other loop from the ring base in the open loop.  Close the loop (just do the opposite of opening it.)Cute and easy - so cute and easy you will want to make a bunch to stack!!Okay, so you love wire rings, right?  And after this tutorial you want even more!You're going to love my Wire Wrapped Button Ring eWorkshop!  You get a PDF and video tutorial!This ring is a great way to show your creativity and show off your wire working skills.Never worked with wire before? Don't worry because I will show you everything you need to know to successfully complete this ring.Full color, close up photos and a video tutorial take you the whole way through making this ring!