Leaf Wrap Metal Rings version 1

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Texturing, Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Intermediate

As I get older, I find I need larger sized wide rings to fit over my knuckles, but then they are really loose when they are all the way on. Adjustable open back rings will pinch the inside of my finger if they are tightened to not spin on my finger. The solution for me is an overlap band ring. The bonus of the two versions here is that one 3" long band can be adjusted to fit from a size 6 to a size 9.5. Add a quarter inch to the length and the ring will easily size up to a 10-11. Take away a quarter inch in band length to make ring sizes down to a 4. The width of the band is comfortable on the palm side of the finger and does not pinch because the overlap is on top of the finger.

Materials

22 Gauge Dead Soft Sterling Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H8-22SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $49.49
Gold Club Price: $37.12

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22 Gauge 0.025 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-705.22

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.30
Gold Club Price: $8.48

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16 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire

H11-16D

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.13
Gold Club Price: $0.84

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16 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-16H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $8.32
Gold Club Price: $6.24

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leaf skeleton

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Tools

PROFESSIONAL QUALITY RING MANDREL 1-16

MAN-295.00

MAN-295.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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Basic Sawing Kit

G15-7

G15-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $34.95
Gold Club Price: $26.21

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French Shears - Curved Shear with Spring

SHR-531.01

SHR-531.01
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.97
Gold Club Price: $22.48

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GROBET FILE - BARRETTE CUT 4, 6"

FIL-31.031

FIL-31.031
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $35.10
Gold Club Price: $26.33

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Economy Needle File Set, 6 Piece Set

FIL-993.00

FIL-993.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Magnesia Soldering Block

SOL-455.00

SOL-455.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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Blazer GB4001 Stingray Torch, Black

TRCH-4001

TRCH-4001
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $49.95
Gold Club Price: $37.46

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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces

CLN-584.00

CLN-584.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

Stainless Steel Shot - 1 lb Bag

G24-4

G24-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $43.95
Gold Club Price: $32.96

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Thumlers Tumbler Model A-R12 Rock Tumbler

G34-130

G34-130
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $348.17
Gold Club Price: $261.13

Out of Stock

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Instructions

Step 1:

Version 1 Leaf Imprint Bypass Overlap

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the area being worked in.

Scale to size and print out the ring shape template. Cut out the template. Draw a line down the center of the template.

Judy Larson's Leaf Wrap Metal Rings version 1 - Version 1 Leaf Imprint Bypass Overlap, Metalwork, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, leaf wrap metal ring

Step 2

Cut a ½" (13mm) x 3" (76mm) piece of 22 gauge sheet metal. Do not use anything thinner. 20 gauge sheet metal will also work, but because it is thicker, it is harder to shape. Copper is pretty soft and takes a leaf imprint easily. Silver is a bit harder and may need to be annealed before roller printing.

Step 3

It is personal choice as to what leaf skeleton or dried pressed leaf to use, but choose a leaf that is longer than the ring band blank. The veins coming off the midrib of the leaf are closer together on a rubber tree leaf skeleton, left, than on ficus tree leaf skeleton, right. Rubber tree leaf skeletons were used here.

Judy Larson's Leaf Wrap Metal Rings version 1 - , Metalwork, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, leaf wrap metal ring

Step 4

Use an ultra fine point Sharpie to draw a line down the center of the ring band strip. Position the midrib of the tip of the leaf on the center line drawn on the ring band. Run through a rolling mill, keeping the midrib centered on the drawn line. After starting the tip, hold the leaf in one hand to adjust the rib over the line, if needed, while cranking the rollers with the other hand. If a rolling mill is not available, use a Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture diagonal lines on either side of the drawn line.

Step 5

Center the template over the leaf imprint. Use an ultra fine point Sharpie to draw around the template onto the metal. Note: The metal blank shown here is wider than the half inch width needed. Use metal shears or a saw to cut out the ring blank shape. Use the rubber/nylon mallet to flatten the ring blank on a bench block.

Use files and sanding sponges to clean and refine the edges of the ring blank shape.

Step 6

Cut 1" (25mm) of 18 gauge wire into small pieces. Ball the pieces on a magnesia soldering block using the butane torch. Place a piece of sandpaper on a bench block. Run the back of the ball over the sandpaper to remove the solder block residue. Pickle the ball to remove fire scale and then rinse and dry it.

Step 7

Cut and straighten a 4 ½" (115mm) piece of 16 or 18 gauge round wire (the wire seen here is longer than needed). Place a small dots of paste solder in the midrib indentation down the center of the ring blank.

Step 8

Place the leaf on a raised surface for soldering so the heat can get under it. Another option would be a ceramic honeycomb soldering surface. Place the wire on the solder, making sure the wire will sit in the midrib indentation. The wire should extend a quarter inch (6mm) beyond the tip to make sure it does not ball up on the ring blank tip. Heat until the solder flows.

Step 9

Pickle the piece to remove fire scale. Rinse and dry the piece before going to the next step.

Step 10

Trim the quarter inch wire extension from the tip of the ring band. Flush cut the wire at the rounded end of the ring band to 11/16" (17.25mm) long. Use round nose and soft flat jaw pliers to curl the wire as shown. Place a small bit of paste solder where the decorative ball will be placed. Push the flat side of the decorative ball into the paste solder. Heat until the solder flows. Hint: When first making this ring, I thought the ball embellishment would look nice closer to the tip. It does look nice, but I found I like it better at the curl. You are the designer. Maybe a few smaller balls would look better to your eye.

Step 11

Pickle the piece to remove fire scale. Rinse and dry the piece before going to the next step.

Step 12

Use a file for metal and sanding sponges to soften the pointed tip and the long edges of the ring band.

Step 13

Slightly curve the ring band with your fingers.

Step 14

Starting at the end that will be inside the ring, use a small rubber/nylon hammer to shape the band end and curl on a ring mandrel. It is best to start at least two sizes smaller than the finished size desired as the ring size expands during shaping. Continue wrapping the ring around the mandrel and shaping with the rubber/nylon hammer. The leaf tip should bypass right next to the midrib. Reverse the ring on the mandrel often during shaping to avoid a slight cone shape to the ring.

Step 15

FYI-These rings are all made with 3" long blanks and show the length of the overlap. From left to right, size 6, 7, and 8.

Step 16

Tumble the ring for an hour or so to bring up a shine.

Patina the ring. Use a fine grit sanding sponge to remove patina from the high spots. Tumble for 20 to 30 minutes to bring back a shine, if desired.

Pro Tip: Keep flat finished ring bands on hand. They are easier to store than shaped and sized rings, and are quick to shape to the size desired.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!