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Live from Tucson – How to Open and Close Jump Rings

By on February 4, 2015
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by Judy Ellis, Wire-Sculpture.com

Daily Wire Jewelry Tip February 4, 2015

Live Tips from Tucson

If you’ve been following our blog, you know that we are partnering with our sister company JewelryTools.com in are offering over 100 classes at in Tucson at JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show this year. This year we have a very impressive list of instructors offering myriad of techniques.

So, while we are in Tucson, we’ve asked some of our instructors to give us a few quick tips. Today we feature a great tip shared with us by one of our wonderful instructors, Marilyn Gardiner.

Take a look as Marilyn shows you and easy way to Open and Close Jump Rings.

How to Open and Close
 JUMP RINGS

To Open a Ring:

  • Use 2 pairs of pliers to hold the sides of a jump ring with the opening at the top (12 o’clock).
  • To avoid warping the ring, cover most of the ring with the 2 sets of pliers.
  • Hold the ring steady with your one hand while you rotate the wrist of your other hand, twisting the pliers tip away from you.
  • Never open up the loop by pulling it side to side—you won’t get it back into a true circle.

To Close a Ring:

  • Use 2 pairs of pliers to hold the sides of a jump ring with the opening at the top (12 o’clock).
  • Pull the ring ends back together by rotating your wrists and exerting a bit of inward pressure.
  • You may hear a “click” as the ends meet.The goal is to have the two ends lined up exactly, with no space between them.
  • Move the ends back and forth by small amounts to adjust the fit. If you go a bit past where they are even, they will spring back and match exactly.
  • Spend the time to close each ring carefully—this will be the mark of a professional finish to your work.
 Before starting your first chain mail project, practice opening and closing rings until you feel confident.After opening and closing a whole lot of rings you WILL find it easy, you WON’T leave marks on the rings, and you WILL find that the pliers become an extension of your hands.

Take a look at a few of the classes that Marilyn is teaching in Tucson.

2/08/2015 2:30pm – 6:00pm Marilyn Gardiner Japanese Stepping Stones Bracelet
2/09/2015 10:30am – 2:00pm Marilyn Gardiner Roundmaille Bangle

I will be featuring more Live from Tucson Tips as the show continues.

If you are still planning on attending, there’s still time to register for a class! CLICK HERE to see a list of instructors and register TODAY!

Happy Wrapping!

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