I know some of you are reluctant to venture into metal smith techniques. But really, there are some simple things you can learn to do. Here is an easy start - use a metal ring blank as I did for one of the Impressart metal stamp designs I showed earlier for this week's giveaway !
The pre-cut ring metal blanks mean you don't have to cut or saw from metal sheets! All you have to do is a little stamping, hammering, forming perhaps some sanding and viola! You got yourself a ring! Be sure to get the right size ring blanks and in the width you like.
First thing to do is to prepare the blank - the one I used is aluminium. If the edges are rough, sand them smooth with some steel wool. I just used a piece of scotch tape to hold the blank in place and marked where I wanted the flower centers to be. The flowers consist of the "o" and the "v" from the ImpressArt Jeanie Lowercase Stamp Set. You can use any design stamp you like!
I struck harder than I needed to so that the indentations were deep and looked less like letters.
I colored the impressions with a black marker pen and then wiped off the ink from the surface with a folded up piece of paper towel.
Next, I used the hemispherical head of my ball-peen hammer to texture the surface around the flowers. The texturing also hid the slight scratch marks on the surface. This saved a tumbling step!
Then onwards to some preliminary forming. I do have stepped ring forming pliers which easily gripped the blank and helped in the bending process. Alternatively, you could use a dowel.
I finished up the forming and work hardening by hammering the ring with my nylon hammer on a metal ring mandrel. As the ring mandrel is tapered, I hammered on one side of the ring, removed it completely from the mandrel, turned the ring around and replaced it on the mandrel for the second half of the hammering on the mandrel. This maintains an even ring size.
There you have it! An easy peasy and quick adjustable ring to make and wear!
Disclosure
I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
The pre-cut ring metal blanks mean you don't have to cut or saw from metal sheets! All you have to do is a little stamping, hammering, forming perhaps some sanding and viola! You got yourself a ring! Be sure to get the right size ring blanks and in the width you like.
First thing to do is to prepare the blank - the one I used is aluminium. If the edges are rough, sand them smooth with some steel wool. I just used a piece of scotch tape to hold the blank in place and marked where I wanted the flower centers to be. The flowers consist of the "o" and the "v" from the ImpressArt Jeanie Lowercase Stamp Set. You can use any design stamp you like!
I struck harder than I needed to so that the indentations were deep and looked less like letters.
I colored the impressions with a black marker pen and then wiped off the ink from the surface with a folded up piece of paper towel.
Next, I used the hemispherical head of my ball-peen hammer to texture the surface around the flowers. The texturing also hid the slight scratch marks on the surface. This saved a tumbling step!
Then onwards to some preliminary forming. I do have stepped ring forming pliers which easily gripped the blank and helped in the bending process. Alternatively, you could use a dowel.
I finished up the forming and work hardening by hammering the ring with my nylon hammer on a metal ring mandrel. As the ring mandrel is tapered, I hammered on one side of the ring, removed it completely from the mandrel, turned the ring around and replaced it on the mandrel for the second half of the hammering on the mandrel. This maintains an even ring size.
There you have it! An easy peasy and quick adjustable ring to make and wear!
Disclosure
I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
Before You Go:
- How to Sandpaper Texture Metal for Jewelry
- Book Review - Mixed Metal Mania
- How to Use the Jewelry Saw to Cut Out Pendant Shapes
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
lovely...can you tell me what is the thickness of the ring blank used?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter teaches art and her students would love to do this. And you do not have to worry about rings sizes! Great Idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I've just started stamping and this is perfect for me. Thanks so much for this post :)
ReplyDeleteZoraida
http://artzjewelry.wordpress.com
Although the rings are adjustable, there is quite a difference for the length of metal blanks for men vs women. So there are different sizes available.
ReplyDeleteDivya - I think it was 14G. The blanks were originally cut from 14G metal sheets
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, very inspiring! Winning the stamp set would be wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI Love this, I so want to try this.Pearl...please dont ever stop blogging!
ReplyDeleteYou made it look so easy, Pearl. I don't make many rings but I am certainly tempted with this great tutorial. Hope things are well settled in your new home!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment! Yes, we are settling down well in our new home!
ReplyDeleteCan you make the stamped portion ANY color?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Red is a fun color for example Remember to pick one that gives a sharp contrast.
ReplyDeleteThis one is certainly a hit! Hope you do more tutorials like this!
ReplyDeleteYes, I certainly plan on doing more!
ReplyDeleteHi, can you tell me where to buy those pre cut metal blanks?
ReplyDeleteThere are many suppliers on Etsy and probably eBay too if you look!
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant and simple craft. It may take some practice to get used to the techniques of stamping metal, but this a project for anyone. I've always loved making jewelry and recently I explored the realm of metal jewelry. I became addicted and I bought the tools to do all sorts of projects. There are so many uses for metal stamping even in the home.
ReplyDeleteHelene | Hub Manufacturing & Metal Stamping
Do you make personalized rings like this? I would love to place an order if you do!!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, Alas, no not at the moment! I don't have any more of these ring blanks. But might restock in the future. I will let you know.
ReplyDelete