In My Studio – Jump Rings 101

Good Morning,

In an effort to keep things fresh, interesting, and entertaining we are going to try something new today. Upon the suggestion of a friend, I have created a 2:00 minute video on how to open and close a jump ring.  

A staple of all jewelry design and creation, at some point you’re going to have to open and close one.  Jump rings are circles of metal wire that have been cut at a specific place to create an “open” ring, the ends are brought together to “close” the ring.  Finishing techniques, like soldering, can seal the cut in the ring to keep it closed permanently.  They can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes including circles (most common), ovals, triangles, or squares, and are not limited to just metal.  Rubber O-rings, Glass, Neoprene, and Gemstone “Doughnuts”, as well as other materials can be found in may modern Chain Maille jewelry designs.A variety of jump rings in Aluminum, Gunmetal, Gold Tone Brass, 
Silver Plated, Copper, very small surfaced dyed copper, and silver plated copper jewelry wire.

 

For Maille, hand position and movement is very important, it helps to keep the piece from getting marred or work damaged and to keep the Mailler’s wrists healthy!  In the video below I attempt to show the correct or proper way to open a jump ring.

Adding a video should be free.  I will not pay to add video when every other blog allows this for FREE!  I do apologize for Greedy Media outlets.  If you would like to see the video please click through to my Facebook page or blogger blog.  Thank you.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please feel free to leave a comment, feedback is always welcome.

Five Great Gifts to Give 2/28/12

As always Tuesday is gift ideas or suggestions on the blog.  This morning I am a gift short so we have two gifts to give and a two treasuries to look through.  There are three new shops to peruse, too.

From SuesArts

Hamsa love charm necklace

Description: Created with vintage antique bronze frame charm pendant and chain.
Very elegant, unique and one of a kind. Custom print and designed with a Hamsa hand for protection, good luck and prosperity.
Necklace is about 18″ long but can be adjusted per request with no extra charge.

ALL MY ITEMS ARE HANDMADE AND ONE OF A KIND.

MGGems created Aquamarine For March Babies a beautiful Treasury collection full of, you guessed it, Aquamarine things for March Birthdays. She has chosen some wonderful items as well.  You’ll have to click through for photos, I can’t post all 16 here.

Aquamarine Crystal

The idea behind Treasuries is to showcase your favorite items from around Etsy, promote others, as it were.  The above Treasury includes one of my items and in return I have curated my own list and added an item from MGGems.

Just Mad About Maille is my own list of Chain Maille items from the shops on Etsy, in other words, my competition.  However as each Mailler is unique so too are their pieces.  No two are alike, many of the weave patterns are the same, there is only so much you can do with a jump ring, but what some of those artists do with those jump rings is pretty amazing.

  

Square Aluminum Twist of Fate Bracelet (from the collection)

From So Blue Jewelry

Cezanne Spring Abalone  Shell Silver Bracelet Armband

Description:  Handmade by Soblue. 

Inspired by Cézanne‘’s work.

From beautiful and high quality abalone shell pieces. It’s rich in colors, it’s pure from the nature. it looks like a oil painting, it’s stylish. Under the light, it gives amazing reflection which changes the colors.

All the metal parts are from sterling silver.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look, I hope we have inspired you to think outside the Department or Big Box Store for your gift-giving ideas.