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Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling. This is a classic coiled ring style for all skill levels.

Swirl Ring

by Susan Barzacchini
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Coiling
  • Skill Level: Beginner
This is a classic coiled ring style for all skill levels.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20D
  • Lesson Quantity: 12.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $4.08
  • Gold Club Price: $3.06
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26 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-26D
  • Lesson Quantity: 31.50 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $4.34
  • Gold Club Price: $3.25
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Tools

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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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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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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Small Rawhide Hammer 1 Inch - Pack of 1
G3-1
  • G3-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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Instructions
Step 1
Cut a 12 inch length of 20 gauge round wire.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 2
Wrap the 20 gauge wire around the ring mandrel two times at the size that is one to one and a half size larger than the size you will ultimately want.

Here I wrap around the size eight and the finished ring will be around size six and a half.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 3
Twist the wires around each other in a swirl. Make sure that you pull tightly to secure the swirl.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 4
Cut two 40 centimeter lengths of 26 gauge round wire.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 5
Grasping a small tail and pinching it near the end of the left 20 gauge wire, begin coiling towards the end of the 20 gauge wire with the 26 gauge wire. You will coil a total of about 83 coils. Repeat this on the right 20 gauge wire.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 6
As you coil, use your fingernails to push the coils together eliminating any gaps in the coil.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 7
Continue to coil until the coil is 3.5 centimeters long. About 83 coils on each side.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 8
Trim the end of the 26 gauge wire.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 9
Push the coil down to the base of the swirl.
Pro Tip: Your coil should slide easily up and down the 20 gauge wire as long as you use uncoated wire like pure copper and silver. If you use a coated wire, then the coiling will need to be begun at the base of the swirl.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 10
Swirl the coiled wire, so that each wire follows the other wire in a swirl pattern. Pull tightly, so that the coils are next to each other without gaps.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 11
Here you can see how the coils are swirled and following each other.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 12
Continue to swirl until the uncoiled wire is on either side of the ring.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 13
Secure the 20 gauge wire to the ring shank. This is done by firmly grasping the end of the uncoiled 20 gauge wire and coiling it onto the ring shank.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 14
Coil the 20 gauge wire onto the other side of the ring shank. Pull tightly to secure the swirl.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 15
After the first 20 gauge coil, push the first 20 gauge coil towards the swirls to make sure that there are no gaps at the end of the swirl.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 16
Continue coiling a second coil on the left and right side with the 20 gauge wire.

Here you can see the second coil on the left side.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 17
You may need the assistance of the flat nose pliers with the final coil onto the ring shank.

Pull the 20 gauge wire up and around the top of the ring shank for the final coil on the left and right side. This is actually a half coil.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 18
Cut the extra length of the 20 gauge wire close to the ring shank.

The 20 gauge coil has the illusion of being three coils, but is actually two and a half coils. You can put as many coils as you want on your ring shank, but keep in mind that the more coils you add, the small the ring will become.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 19
Put the ring back on the ring mandrel and scoot it up to the larger sizes. This will help to reshape the ring shank. You may need to flatten the swirl on the ring mandrel and hammer the ring shank to give it a little bit of strength.

Do not hammer your swirl, or you will flatten your entire 26 gauge coiling that you created.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 20
Here is the finished swirl ring. Note that we started at size 8 and now we are at a size six and a half.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 21:
A Swirl Ring with a Bead
In order to make a ring with a bead, you will begin by inserting a bead that has a hole large enough to be inserted onto a 12 inch length of 20 gauge round wire.

Place the bead in the center of the 20 gauge wire.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - A Swirl Ring with a Bead, Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 22
Wrap the 20 gauge wire around the back of the bead so that it crosses over.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 23
Pull the 20 gauge wire tight against the bead.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 24
Wrap the bead and wire around the mandrel at a size that is about one to one and a half larger than the final size.

Here I choose size eight and the final ring size will be around 6.5.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 25
With the two ends of the 20 gauge wire, swirl the 20 gauge wires around the bead. Swirl two times.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 26
Using 26 gauge round wire, coil onto the 20 gauge wire a total of around 60 coils to a total length of 2.5 centimeters. Do this on both the left and right 20 gauge wire ends and slide the coils to the base of the bead.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 27
Using 26 gauge round wire, coil onto the 20 gauge wire a total of around 60 coils to a total length of 2.5 centimeters. Do this on both the left and right 20 gauge wire ends and slide the coils to the base of the bead.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 28
Coil the ends of the 20 gauge wire onto the ring shank on the left and right side.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 29
Coil a total of 2 and half times around the ring shank. Cut the excess 20 gauge wire on both the left and right sides.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 30
Hammer the ring shank, not the swirl. Hammering the shank will give it a little stability and will harden the wire to help keep the round shape.
Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring
Step 31
Here is the finished ring. If you choose, you can patina the wire with liver of sulfur.


Susan Barzacchini's Swirl Ring - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, swirl ring

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