Ring Pendant

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Making Loops
Skill Level: Beginner

When is a ring not a ring? When you turn it into a pendant, of course!

My daughter had ordered a few ring blanks, not realizing that they were adjustable rings. She was going to throw them away, but I scooped them up thinking I might be able to do something with them. They sat on my work table for a while before I remembered that I had made a pendant from the Mother's Ring I inherited from my mother. Of course, the same could be done with these rings!

This is how I did it.

Materials

8mm Amethyst 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 6

A13-88C

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

Out of Stock

Adjustable ring blanks

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Gold Filled Filigree Bead Caps 8mm - Pack of 1

J9-351

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.46
Gold Club Price: $1.85

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Tools

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

Add to Bag

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Premium Nylon Jaw Pliers

G2-35

G2-35
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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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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2 Ounce Rubber Head Hammer

G3-19

G3-19
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.97
Gold Club Price: $2.23

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Needle File Set Pack of 5

FIL-970.00

FIL-970.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.57
Gold Club Price: $8.68

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Instructions

Step 1

Carefully open the ring to disengage the crossover portion of the shank that makes the ring adjustable.

Step 2

Cut off the portions of the ring shank that that make it adjustable (the "box" on the shank needs to go), leaving as much of the shank as possible on each side. You may only need to cut the end off one side.

Judy Larson's Ring Pendant - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Ring shank

Step 3

Gently grip as much of the ring shank on one side of the ring as possible with a soft jaw pliers. Apply gentle pressure to slightly flatten the shank. You must be careful as you may break the ring shank off.

Step 4

You can further flatten the ring shank by lightly pounding it with a rubber mallet.

Step 5

File the ring shank cut ends smooth.

Step 6

One shank will be longer than the other. Form that into the bail. You may find you want to make a small loop at the end of the bail in the back if the shank is too long. It can add a decorative detail to a plain shank.

Judy Larson's Ring Pendant - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Forming the bail

Step 7

Construct your wire wrapped bead dangle.

Judy Larson's Ring Pendant - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Making wire wrapped bead dangle.

Step 8

The other shank can be formed into the lower loop, sliding on the dangle before completely closing it.

Step 9

If your ring has a bezel cup, add your stone. Press the bezel edges in to hold the stone in place.

Judy Larson's Ring Pendant - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tighten bezel cup

Step 10

Congratulations! You've made your first Ring Pendant!

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!