Bubble Gum Rings

Skill Level: Beginner/All

This is a really fun project to do with younger children who want to try wire-wrapping, or just spend some time being creative with a parent or grandparent. My granddaughter loves spring and on a recent rainy cold weekend wanted to "help" grandma make a ring. We decided to get creative and came up with "Girls Day Bubble Gum Rings."

Materials

• Flat-backed clear cabochon (I used the fish tank half-marbles from the dollar store)
• Nail polish
• Jewelers glue
• 20 Gauge round wire (I used craft wire for the fun colors)

Tools

• Round Nose Pliers
• Flat Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutter
• Ring Mandrel

Instructions

1. Set the cabochon on your workstation flat-side up and paint with nail polish. For a swirl effect, drip a couple of drops of different color polish on the cabochon and use a scrap piece of wire to swirl the paint around.
   
   For the sparkly cabochon, paint sparkly nail polish on the cabochon and let dry (you'll need 2-3 coats). After the nail polish has dried, paint again in a darker or lighter color all over the back.
   
   
2. While the nail polish is drying - Cut 12-14 inches of wire. 12 inches for size 7 and under, 14 inches for size 8 and over. Make a spiral at one end of the wire so that it will fit on the back of the cabochone and serve as the ring base.
   
   The spiral should be "loose" so that glue can flow through the spaces on the finished piece. When it is almost large enough, bring the wire straight out from the spiral and make a 90 degree angle, continue to bring the longer end around to the other side of the spiral and repeat the 90 degree angle.
   
   
3. Place the spiral on your ring mandrel on the correct size and wrap the wire 3 times around the madrel. On the third wrap, bring the tail up through the opening you created in the spiral, fold the tail back on itself and wrap once around the shank.

   
   

4. Bring the tail under the spiral next to the top of the shank and bring up through the other opening you created in the sprial and finish wrapping the tail around the shank on the other side. Trim the wire if necessary and tuck the tail under the spiral.
   
   Place the ring back on the mandrel and straighten up the wires on the shank of the ring, and make sure it is still the size needed.
   
   
   
5. Place enough glue on the dry nail polish to secure the ring base to the cabochon, but not so much that it is messy and uncomforable to wear. (I use a "blob" of glue...see pics) Place the ring base on top of the glue to secure the cabochon in place. Wait for the ring to dry and enjoy!
   
6. Congratulations! You've made your first BubbleGum Rings.
   

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