Crystal Ring

Skill Level: Beginner

This pattern will introduce you to Lilian's 3D style wire sculpture forming method. The original idea came from origami paper folding:

Materials:

• 14gauge Silver wire with copper core.
• Swarovski Crystals of choice
• Beads of choice

Tools:

• Flat nose pliers
• Ring mandrel
• Memory wire cutter
• Wire files (for large gauges)

Instructions:

1. For this project you will be using the wire's original coils directly from the spool. Depending on the size of ring that you are creating, you may need to use a smaller coil of wire such as 1/2 coil, 1/4 coil or 1/8 coil as show below. With this type of measurement, there is no need to straighten your wire to determine the length for your piece.
   
   
2. Begin by using one full coil. Cut one coil from the spool.
   
3. Measure and check the diamater and the end width, keeping them even.
   
   
4. Grasp the coil on a horizontal angle. It's not critical to mark the center point of the wire, since you are going to be trimming off the excess wire after it's shaped. Just make sure it's approximately the same length from center.
   
5. Bend the full coil into a half coil with your round nose pliers.
   
   
6. Match the curve on both sides, while you are bending the coil.
   
7. Check the shape. Continue bending until you've reached a "U" shape. You want to create a perfect "U" with two parallel curves.
   
   
8. Grasp the "U"shape tightly, and gently curve the ends of the wire near the "U" into a coil or kidney bean shape.
9. This is what it should look like when fully curved.
   
10. Now, put your curved wire onto the ring mandrel and wrap it around the mandrel to create your ring. You can use the sizing on the mandrel to help you size your ring correctly.
    
11. While the wire is still on your mandrel, slip the crystal beads onto the wire. Once you have added your beads, genlty slip the ring off of the mandrel.
    
12. Grasp the wire close to the hole, and make a vertical bend, about 20 degrees away from the bead side.
    
13. Using a Memory Wire Cutter, cut the remainder of wire off as close to the angle as possible. The little angle will stop the beads from escaping the end of the wire.
    
    
14. Use a file to clean up the ends of the wire.
    
15. Optional: To make your piece more interesting you can add additional beads of your choice.
    
    
    Congratulations! You've made your first Crystal Ring!

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