TIPS and TRICKS for NEWBIES – small (jump) rings, big worries ... the technique

Technique - attaching a jump ring in 4 easy steps

See animation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7bo5ZDDosY&rel=0

Creating jump rings manually

In case of need or if you work with colored wire it is useful to make your own rings.

Supplies:

  • a cylindrical rod (dowel or mandrel) in a size that is slightly smaller than the one you wish to obtain, you could also use large wooden nails or pins
  • a flush cutter
  • soft to half-hard wire, such as soft copper wire of Artistic Wire

Instructions:

  • cut off about 15 to 20 cm wire
  • push a piece of wire with your thumb firmly against the rod
  • wrap the copper wire with your dominant hand tightly around the rod till about 2 cm from the end
  • pull out the rod and gently pull the wire a little bit apart so you can easily continue working
  • with the straight edge of the cutter and starting at the bottom, cut the rings
  • disregard the first and the last jump ring
  • the cut wire will slightly spring back: the harder the wire, the more springback and as a consequence the bigger the jump rings will be.

Enjoy your creation ... and buy your findings @ https://dunebeads.com/en/metal-jewelry-findings !

Do not forget: have fun because practice makes perfect. See you soon!

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