Free Craft and Jewelry Making Tutorials

Level: Medium

Materials:
16g half-round sterling or Argentium silver, cut into 126 jump rings (approx 4mm) OR
Pre-cut sterling jump rings (126)
Flat lobster clasp with soldered anulus (1)
Soldered jump anulus (1)
Twist bond (with essay distant from approx 1/2″ of one end) or example wire (approx 3″ long)

You will requirement two pliers — rather one flat-nosed and one bent-nosed. Using a bent-nosed pliers will turn the pronounce on your wrists. You will requirement to hold a pliers in each hand, so ambidexterity is a plus!

For country reasons, verify frequent breaks while making chain to keep from developing wrist strain! A jump-ring person is also a handy tool to have when making chain, they are available at Fire Mountain Gems or you can attain your possess using a dowel with a large propellor in one end (flat nosed propellor head, not Phillips).

Open jump rings by twisting ends away from each another using the two pliers. NEVER unstoppered jump rings by broad the ends apart, you will distort the appearance and smash the ring. I unstoppered half of the rings at a time, this lets me do whatever chain-making instead of just boring anulus inaugural for a while!

Begin your chain by attaching two jump rings lateral by lateral to the soldered anulus on the lobster clasp. (Opening and then closing the jump rings will alter them.) When you close rings, twist the ends back and forth slightly until you hear a diminutive click — this indicates that the ends are touching and flush to each other. The coverall capableness of your example will depend on your ability to close your rings neatly!

Run the twist bond bare wire or example wire finished the two closed rings you just attached to the lobster clasp and bonded it. You will be able to easily hold the twist bond or example wire in one hand while you attach more rings to your chain. Add two unstoppered rings (one at a time) to the bottom of the closed rings and close the newborn rings. You will today have a ornament of four rings, with the bottom rings at a 90 degree angle from the top rings. Continue adding two rings to the bottom of the chain until you have used all rings.

Before closing the last two rings, attach them to the soldered jump anulus for your closure. Remove the example wire or twist tie. I propose tumbling the chain for 45 transactions to one hour to vanish any burrs, harden the wire and create a brilliant finish.

Source: Beading.Consumerhelpweb