I have been teaching a jewelry making class to
4th and 5th grade girls this fall!
I have enjoyed getting back into jewelry making
and seeing their adorable faces light up with
all little goodies they have made!
One of which I want to share with you-
the Heart Ring
This is a sterling silver version I created.
Now let's make this ring without
using a torch-
Here's how...
Materials needed...
Craft wire
Ruler
Hammers
Mandrel
Round nose pliers
Needle nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
Wire cutters
**Please note these are the tools I have on hand.
If you don't have exactly what I list here use what you have.
Maybe the hammer handle could be the mandrel,
and needle nose pliers can do all the work, if necessary!
STEP 1
Measure craft wire to 6 - 6 1/2 inches
Depending on the size of your finger you can go larger and overlap the ends.
Too much smaller than 6 inches and the rings are tiny.
Cut wire and file wire ends.
When filing; the general rule is to go in one direction.
Make the ends smooth and somewhat rounded.
STEP 2
Using your fingers fold the wire in half.
Squeeze the center as hard as you can.
Pliers can help here too.
STEP 3
Begin to pull apart the wire ends.
Flat nose pliers or needle nose pliers
can help the wire to stay flat.
And begin to shape it with your fingers into
a heart shape.
Round nose pliers or needle nose pliers can help
you achieve your desired heart shape, but not necessary.
Fingers can do all the work here!
Once your heart shape is complete,
cross the remaining wire over each other.
STEP 4
Begin to gently twist the wire on itself.
You are looking for the wires to be even and simultaneously twisting.
Untwist and try again, if needed. Most craft wire will be forgiving for a few tries!
Continue twisting.
STEP 5
Your ring should now look like this!
A heart on one end and twisted with
approximately 1/4 - 1/2 tail on each side.
Using your round nose or needle nose pliers
create a small loop on the end.
Repeat this process with the other side.
This will ensure the ends are tucked away
and your finger is safe from injury.
STEP 6
Shape your ring around a mandrel or something similar in size.
Using a leather mallet can help
without marring the metal so much.
Hammer the heart shape to flatten the wire some and
it will also give it a sparkle in the light!
It also helps the back of the ring feel better on the finger.
Adjust it with your fingers (pulling or pushing gently)
to get just the right size for your finger!
A little tidbit on craft wire...
Pictured here is copper wire and red color craft wire.
For this project I used 18 gauge copper wire.
Other gauges can be used. But it needs to be strong enough to hold shape.
Craft wire can be bent easily and is mostly forgiving, but will weaken and break
if bent too much in one spot.
Sterling silver wire and cooper wire work great for this kind of project too.
These rings were made with a variety of colored craft wire.
Some stores carry a large variety of colors!
Faith and Love
sharing a little metal love on this artist holiday,
hannah
