Jump Rings Tutorial - Basic Wire Working Technique Series

Jump rings are readily available and fairly inexpensive so most of the time it makes sense just to purchase them. However, there are times when I find a need to make my own. I often times work with dark annealed steel wire and cannot purchase jump rings that are from the same wire. By making my own, I can match the wire perfectly. Also, there are occasions when I want a size - usually very large - that I do not have and need to make it myself.

Tools and Supplies:

Two pairs of chain-nose pliers

Flush cutters (one side of the cutters are flush and make a straight cut, the other side makes a "V" cut)

Knitting needle in various sizes or any round object to wrap the wire around

Small jewelers file

Wire: I've used copper for my photos. I suggest you begin with copper; it's malleable which makes it easy to work with and it's inexpensive.

Wrap a long piece of wire several times around a knitting needle or other object that is the same diameter that you would like the finished size or your jump rings to be.

Remove it from the needle. Use the flush cutters to trim one end of the coiled wire (make sure to place the straight edge of the cutters inward facing the coils).

 

 Place the cutters (with the flush side the opposite direction as before) onto the next coil and trim even with the first cut to create a round circle of wire.

 

Place the cutters (flush side towards the coils) and trim off the rough cut edge left from the previous cut. You are now ready to make another jump ring as before. Use the jewelers file to smooth out the edges. Use two pairs of pliers to open and close the jump rings.

Your finished jump rings should look like this.

Here are few examples of where I have made my own jump rings.

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The Egytian Coil - Katalina Style!

If you are new to working with wire this may seem challenging at first. Just keep practicing - it get's easier with each link.

*Here's a beginner's tip - It's good to start with a softer wire such as copper. It's fairly inexpensive - you don't have to worry that you are wasting money if you make a mistake. Also, it's a soft wire which makes it fairly easy to manipulate.

To make Egyptian coil links you will need:

• Wire of your choice such as sterling silver, copper, brass - the above photo shows the necklace made from copper wire but for the instructions I used 16-gauge darkened annealed steel wire which can usually be found at your local hardware store (it is often referred to as tie wire)
• Flush cutters
• Pliers: chain-nosed, round-nosed
• Hammer: ball-peen
• Steel bench block
• Jewelers file
• Tape measure
• Fingernail buffing stick: if using darkened annealed steel wire

Use the flush cutters to cut a 5” length of the 18ga wire. File each end. Use the round-nose pliers to form a loose coil in one end. Repeat for the other end. The length of the wire link should be approximately 1 ¾” long from end to end. Repeat to make 6 more links - make sure all the coils are the same size and the finished lengths are all the same.

Hold one link with the coils downward and place the round-nose pliers at the middle of the straight area. Use your fingers to bend each coil upward. Repeat for the other 6 links.

Hold one link with the coils upward and the “U” downward. Place the chain-nose pliers about 1/8” above the bottom edge of the coils.

Use your fingers to bend the “U” upward until it is perpendicular to the coils. Repeat for the other six links.

Hold one link with the “U” between your finger and thumb. Use the chain-nose pliers to bend each coil towards the “U”. Repeat for the other six links.

  

Use the ball end of the hammer to texture one link. Reshape the link if necessary. Use the fingernail buffing stick to sand the link to remove some of the black finish and reveal a soft shine (if using dark steel wire). Repeat for the other six links.

  

Connect one link to another by holding one link sideways and inserting the “U” into the “U” of the other link. Connect one more link to form a 3-link chain. Repeat to make one more 3-link chain.

Connect the last link to the two 3-link sections with jump rings and wire wrap a tear drop stone at the center.

I finished the necklace off with a chain fashioned from handmade beaded wire links and a handmade hook clasp but you can also use a purchased clasp and chain.

Good luck and have fun!

Kathy

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