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Wire Wrap Rings – Tutorial

by Rena Klingenberg.

This wire wrap rings tutorial is a very fast and easy project. You can quickly make a ton of these from bits of wire left over from other projects, or from a pile of new wire pieces you cut to size.

They’re comfortable and adjustable – and, as you’ll see at the end of this tutorial, there are endless creative ways you can embellish this basic design.

This is another great jewelry-making project for teenagers or pre-teens.

They would especially enjoy fancying these up with some of the variations I list at the end of this tutorial!

And these rings are very cheap to make – using copper or brass you can make them for less than 5 cents each – or about 20 of them for $1.

If you sell them, I’ve found that $3 per ring is a price that’s very profitable for me, and my customers feel that it’s a good value for them.

I’ve sold loads of these little wire rings at craft shows and other events where I’ve displayed them in a charming little wooden box.

I originally intended them to be an impulse-purchase item for little girls (which has been a very successful strategy) – but I soon discovered that teens and adults were also drawn to them, especially to wear as pinkie or toe rings.

So if you’re making these to sell, you may want to also make some larger ones to fit adults.

Supplies

Wire Tip:

If you don’t have suitable scrap wire on hand, I found these super-cheap yellow packages of 16- and 18-gauge copper and brass wire in the picture-hanging supplies at Lowe’s (home improvement store).

Or you can find small, affordable rolls of brass wire (such as the little 4-oz. spool shown above) inexpensively at craft / bead stores and jewelry suppliers.

Here’s what you’ll need
to make 1 ring:

• Soft or half-hard round wire, in 16-, 18- or 20-gauge. You’ll need a piece that’s somewhere between 3″ (7.6 cm) and 5″ (12.7 cm) long, depending on how big you’d like to make your ring, and how fancy you plan to get with the two ends of it.

  For the basic ring I made in this tutorial, I used a 3″ (7.6 cm) piece of 18-gauge copper wire; the finished ring fits up to size 4.5 in the U.S. (U.K. size I, Europe size 7.97).

• Flush cutter / side cutter for cutting your wire.
• Round nose pliers.
• Ring mandrel, dowel, or other item you can wrap the wire around to form it into a ring.

How to Make Wire Wrap Rings

Start out with the piece of wire you’ve cut to somewhere between 3″ (7.6 cm) and 5″ (12.7 cm) long:

Then use your round-nose pliers to turn a small loop at each end of the wire:

The two loops should be facing in opposite directions:

Then wrap your wire piece around your mandrel or dowel. The wire loops you made should overlap slightly, so the finished ring can adjust slightly to a larger size while still completely circling the wearer’s finger:

And that’s all there is to it, for creating the basic wire wrap rings.

You may want to run them through your tumbler if you have one, to harden and polish them up a bit.

Or you may want to move on to doing something fancier with this basic project:

Ideas for Variations

• Instead of shaping your wire ends into simple loops, make them in to big spirals or other geometric shapes.
• Give your wire wrap rings a hammered texture.
• Use twisted square wire instead of round.
• Oxidize or patina the finished ring.
• Use colorful Artistic Wire instead of copper, brass, or silver. Consider twisting two or more colors together.
• Add a bead or two to the design.
• Dangle a tiny charm or stamped tag from one of the ring’s loops.
• Make one of the end loops fairly large, and use a piece of 24-gauge wire to wire-wrap a bead into it.

Ready for the next level of
wire ring making?

Don’t miss my free Easy Folded Wire Ring Tutorial – you’ll learn how to create wire rings like these:

 

Want to Learn the Basics of
Designing Your Own Wire Jewelry?

In my Design and Make Artistic Jewelry Components video class, you’ll learn how to get great ideas for wire jewelry designs – and then follow my easy system for turning those ideas into successful pieces of jewelry.

By the end of this online video class, you’ll be designing and making your own artistic earwires, clasps, connectors, and pendant bails.

You’ll also learn my tips for making wire jewelry more easily, with more professional looking results.

 

 

Comments:

Wonderful
by: Iris

Nice idea to have $3 items like these at your booth. I like the simplicity of these, but I would never have thought to wear them on my toes! I know a lot of people probably would, though. Thank you for another good idea.

wire wrap rings
by: Rena

Thank you Iris! I know, my toes don’t like wearing rings, but many people’s toes do! :o)

I forgot to mention that inside the lid of the little box where I display these rings, I have a sign saying “Handmade Adjustable Rings – $3”.

Most people are happy to find a nice, well-made jewelry item they can purchase for their little girl (or themselves) for only $3!

Wire Wrap Rings
by: Bev Carlson

What a great idea. Simple but somewhat elegant. And adjustable. Perfect.

great idea!
by: Joan

I love this idea and will probably use it at a big craft show I have coming up in a couple months. Thanks Rena!

P.S. I’ve used your treasure chest idea at the last couple shows and it really works!

Great little rings idea
by: zoraida

These quick and easy rings are a great idea for craft shows. Most people will not hesitate to buy one at $3 especially for young girls.

I can visualize many ways to embellish them – maybe coil around it, make 2 rows and weave them together?

I think I’ll make some for my next crafts show.
Thanks!

wire rings
by: Christa

I have made similar rings in the past, but I have been using 20g soft sterling silver and 14K Gold-filled square wire.

Thanks, Rena!
by: Lynda

Another great idea, Rena. This will be a great addition to the file of ideas for a teen workshop. Or for anyone for that matter!

Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much! In my small jewelry business the only thing that I sell used to be earrings, but now these rings seem easy to make! (I’m only 11!)

Wire Wrap Rings
by: Sonja and Janae

Thanks Rena! I love your idea ( all for that matter). Simple, quick to make and a great item to get our customers shopping. Again thanks! We have a big event next month that we can make some for.

You ROCK, RENA!
by: Anonymous

This is such a neat idea. I think I’ll add a gemstone or Turquoise chip. I just love getting your newsletters. Even if I am in the middle of 17 different things, I read them.

Elizabeth

Be careful…
by: Angie S

I have used that brand of wire before, and it hase some sort of coating on it which caused issues when I went to oxidize it. This was many years ago, but when buying wire for jewelry from a hardware store, it’s something to keep in mind…

Wire wrap
by: WillieMae

I like this idear, it is easy, inexpensive, quick, and leaves you room to be creative.

Thank you. I’m going to run out and get me some copper wire right now.

Thank you for shareing your skills with us.

Wrap Rings
by: Dorothy Hubbard

Just love the idea of the single wrap, I usually do a double wrap which means more money to charge. Thanks Rena and I do too love your newsletter.

Wire Ring ” I Want That ”
by: Mermaids Purse

These simple wire rings are a great quick “fix” for those who need a to buy but don’t have a lot of cash. Thanks for the post. Happy Creating!!

Fair Winds and Calm Seas,
Deborah Leon
www.mermaidspureseaglass.com

LOVE THIS!
by: Lisa at Wild Gift Designs

I never knew what to do with all those wire scraps. Excellent and easy tutorial. Thanks!

A Winner!
by: Doug Kelly

Rena – took one look at this and had no doubt about it being a winner! Lately I have been giving away small beaded bracelets to the little ladies who have been coming by so they would feel special. Now Mommy can afford to get them a little something special.

I’ve just finished making 7 of them out of 16 ga. Pho Bronze, each one different. Apply a little elbow grease to give them a lustre shine and Whoas baby!

Doug Kelly
JD Kelly Jewelry
www.JDKellyJewelry.com

Wonderful Idea
by: Martha Wertz

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful Idea. I will use it to give away for all my repeat costumers.
Thanks again!

WRAP RINGS
by: LESTYN

Hi,
I used to make wire-wrapped bracelets, etc., but you’ve given me a great idea with rings. Easy and attractive. Thanks for your ideas and tutorial.
Lestyn

Perfect Low Cost Impulse Buy/Giveaway!
by: Pam

Love the idea for a quickie impulse buy! I do our little town spring and fall street fests, and many people are not really there to buy, but this could absolultely be a “must have” for the many teens that come by! I also love the idea as a giveaway gift for repeat customers! (Thinking tie one to my biz card! 😀

Pam
PearTreeJewelry.com

thanks for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday
by: Anonymous

Great project and tutorial! Nice to “meet” you and thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

Lovely!
by: PC

Your tutorial is so beautiful and love the ring – so friendly to make and proud to have one!

http://decortoadore.blogspot.com
by: Laura Ingalls Gunn

What an adorable DIY project! Thank you so much for sharing.

Happy Monday!
‘
Cool!
by: Just Jaime

What a cool idea. These look great for stacking rings!

Fabulous!
by: Laura

This is such a great tutorial. I was just looking at some similar rings for a ridiculous price! I’m so excited to try this. Please stop by www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party!

Easy Beginner Project!
by: Julie Ann

What a wonderful easy ring to make. Think of the possible things one could do with these! Embellish them, or using craft wire, and making them bigger, they would make elegant napkin rings. Thank you!

Thanks for sharing!
by: June Scott

I love the simplicity of these, Rena… and yet so elegant!

Great Post
by: BeColorful

What a great post. A tempting project with a simple and exact tutorial that we can all follow. Thanks so much for linking this up to Motivated Monday at BeColorful. I know everybody will enjoy reading it.
Pam

Hooray! 😉
by: Lamb

Thank you for linking up to Not “Baaad” Sundays with LambAround. You’ve been nominated for the Best in Show award this week! Be sure to vote and GOOD LUCK! 🙂

http://lambaround.blogspot.com

I love your rings!
by: gail

I am so in love with the simplicity of your rings! 🙂
gail
ps catching you this week.

Love it!
by: Anita

These are a great simple project for a beginner. Thanks so much for linking up at Doggone Dirty Craftin with Rhinestone Beagle! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got for this week.

Thank you for the tutorial and link-up
by: Jenn Erickson/Rook No. 17

Rena, it is such a pleasure to have you link up to “A Little Birdie Told Me…” at Rook No. 17! What a wonderful tutorial. I’m featuring your post over on my Facebook page. These rings would be a perfect activity and favor for my daughter’s upcoming birthday party too!

Jenn

Cute
by: Leasa

Cute and easy. I love them.

Thanks!
by: Creative Flow Jewels

Thanks for the tip with the wire wrap rings! It seems that it is very easy to do and I will be working on this over the weekend. This will be great for the Valentine’s Day sales.