TUTORIAL:

Very lovely design, Laura! Yummy bead!http://rockmegentlyjewelry.blogspot.com

Fantastic tute Laura. This would have to be one of the simplest, but still very striking, ring tutorials that I have found and I wouldn't normally look at a ring tutorial at all. I can't wait to make mine.
Cas xxx

Thanks Sheree and Cas!!
Cas, I'd LOVE to see a picture of your ring when you are done!! :-)
Laura

Laura Pacino
http://www.designsbylaura.net
http://www.simplyadorning.blogspot.com

Ok, I started making this yesterday and my 4 feet of 24 gauge wire I cut off my reel keeps snapping because I can't keep it completely 'straight' and it gets little nicks in it when doing the binding and weaving. I have to keep starting again!! Am I doing something wrong? Any tips?

Hi:
Where is the wire snapping? The only reason I can think of that the wire would snap is if it is being handled too much, and/or pulled too tightly. I'm not certain what would cause little nicks in the wire, there is nothing sharp that the wire should be coming into contact with. When you do the weaving, it helps to wrap the wire over the frame wire, placing it exactly where you want it to stay, then bring it over to the opposing frame wire, and do the same there.

Is it possible for you to take a picture of what you are having an issue with? I might be able to more clearly help you that way....

Thx,
Laura

Laura Pacino
http://www.designsbylaura.net
http://www.simplyadorning.blogspot.com

It's just snapping at some point in the bit I've still got to use, if u see what i mean. I think It might be because of the pulling too tightly, handling too much thing...sometimes i get what i've still got left to use tangled up, so maybe that causes the little 'sharp bumps' in the wire?

Oh, I know exactly what you are talking about now! The length of wire is getting kinks in it - when pulled, that would break the wire, or appear in your work as a sharp spot.
While you are working, if you see the wire starting to form a small loop - gently 'undo' the loop and smooth out with your fingers before going any further. If you leave the tiny loop, it will cause a problem.

Until you get used to using a finer gauge of wire, you can cut the length so that you have 2 shorter pieces to work with. You would just need to carefully add the new wire so that there aren't any sharp ends sticking out.

If you follow this link, Eni wrote a wonderful tutorial on how to add wire while you are coiling:
http://www.enioken.com/jewelry/043newwire.pdf

Also, I would not use the nylon jaw straightening pliers on the wire, as it hardens it and makes it more brittle, at the finer gauges.

Laura Pacino
http://www.designsbylaura.net
http://www.simplyadorning.blogspot.com

Thank you so much!! I've had to re start this project twice now lol! I shall give it another go and read Eni's tutorial :D

Well i just finished making this ring and it was sooo much fun!!!Im mainly writing this so all of you out there that are new to wire wrapping will buy this tutorial and give it a try.I have never done any coiling or wrapping and chose this project to try for my first and im wearing the ring right now :0)This is a GREAT teaching piece.A little hint from me and those who break their wires.When you are feeding(not pulling)the wire loop and you feel that tight loop coming,stop and press the wire you are using over the core wire with your finger just to curve it a bit downword.This will let you free up a bit with your hands so you can carefulley finish leading the rest of that loop(wire) thru.Hope that makes sense because it really helped me:0)I have a whole new respect for all of the artist who produce the work i have been drinking into my head.I know now what i thought is true YOU FOLKS ARE CRAZY lol only kidding.You guys are awesome wire artist.Thanks for inspiring me.
Pat-Cabella

I have some beautiful oval 18x13 mm faceted labradorite beads that are sort of flat, not round. Could I use them for this ring. I want a simple ring where the bead is not covered. This looks like it would work. I've done 3 rings already but I'm not satisfied yet with the look I'm getting.

Thank you Pat C., for the wonderful feedback! I'm glad that you enjoyed making your ring and hope you will keep going with wire!!

Barbur: I don't see why you could not use that size bead. You would need to allow more wire than the tutorial states (both gauges). The only other thing that I would be concerned about is if the hole drilled in the stone can't take 2 passes of the 24 gauge wire. The crystal most likely has a larger hole...if that is the case, you can send me an email and I can walk you through a different way to put the ring together that will still work.

Happy wrapping!
Laura

Laura Pacino
http://www.designsbylaura.net
http://www.simplyadorning.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designs_by_laura/

oooooo love it! and its a beginner level! i will definately buy this. What metal wire is being used to achieve the charcoal grey- black colour, it is very effective.
Samantha

When i made my ring I used a glass flat faceted(say that 10 times fast)bead that had a hole on each side of it like from top to underside and when I was wrapping on one side I added the bead then kept on wrapping.Then repeated this on the other side I wrapped.So my wire doesnt run thru it,it just threads on at the point where you marked for bead placement.Samantha I believe Laura used SS then oxidized it with a boiled egg.If not Laura used liver of sulfur.You can find that info in a free tutorial on this very site!!!
Pat-Cabella

Hi Samantha!
Pat is correct, the wire is sterling silver. I dipped the ring in Liver of Sulfur, then polished to a shine, to bring out the texture in the coiling. The same effect can be achieved with boiled eggs!
Laura

Laura Pacino
http://www.designsbylaura.net
http://www.simplyadorning.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designs_by_laura/

Great job Ligia!! I love the bead you used, too! I'd love to see the new ring when it's done, too!
x,
Laura

Laura Pacino
http://www.designsbylaura.net
http://www.simplyadorning.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designs_by_laura/