This month I thought it would be nice to show you how to make a simple adjustable ring.  Skill level for this project is easy to intermediate.

Although a ring mandrel is a handy tool for this project it isn’t entirely necessary since the ends of the ring are not connected.  All you need is a round object of some kind to shape the ring on.

Sizing:  To find out what size you need follow the chart below.  Measure around your finger and find your size on the mandrel or find an object a little smaller than the circumference of your finger.  To adjust smaller or larger than I have listed, add or subtract 1/8” for each whole size.

Finger size                              Ring size

  2 1/16”                                        6

  2 3/16”                                        7

  2 5/16”                                        8

SUPPLIES:

16” of 21ga Sterling Half Hard square wire

36” of 20ga Sterling Half Hard Half Round wire

2 - 6mm faux pearls or other beads of your choice

NOTE:  Freshwater pearls won’t have holes large enough to fit on 21 ga square wire.  If you plan on using Freshwater Pearls you’ll probably have to use 24 ga HH Sq wire.

TOOLS:

Round nose pliers

Flush cutter

Ring manderal

Sharpie pen

Chain nose pliers

Flat nose pliers

You’ll also need a ruler and some low tack tape.  I prefer using quilters 1/8” wide tape.

Step 1

Cut your 21 ga wire into two 8” lengths and thread one pearl onto each wire.  Bend wires down and cross over as shown.  Use your fingers to snug wire close to the beads where they come through the hole

Step 2

Take your chain nose pliers and grab one wire just off center and bend the wire upward.  Do the same with the other side.

Step 3

With both sides bent upward your piece should look like this.  Make sure the flat sides of your wires face each other.

Now repeat steps 2 and 3 for the second bead.

Step 4

Now gather the four wires together with one bead slightly higher that the other.  Be sure to keep flat sides of wire together and tape with quilters tape in two places to hold.

Step 5

Take your half round wire and begin binding your wires as close to the lower bead as possible.  Make a few wraps then measure and mark the binding stop point.  For a size 7 ring measure from the top of the binding wire and mark at 2 3/16”.Now continue wrapping the shank until you reach this mark.  Clip excess wire at both snug with flat nose pliers

Step 6

This photo just shows the shank completely wrapped and ready for shaping.  You may want to bend the upper bead out to the side a bit at this point.

Step 7

Take your ring and wrap it around the ring mandrel or what ever form you are using.  You’ll want to do this at a smaller size than the finished ring will be.

Step 8

Now take your unwrapped ends and trim them down staggering the length beginning with the shortest on the outside.  Use your round nose pliers to form the curls.

Here’s what your finished ring should look like