Create Your Own Braided Wire Beaded Ring

Cut the following wire lengths:

• One 9-inch 20-gauge sterling silver–filled round wire
• One 8-inch 24-gauge copper round wire

Dip the jaws of a pair of chain-nose pliers in Tool Magic®. Set aside and allow to dry completely, preferably overnight.

Locate the center of the 20-gauge sterling silver–filled wire and make a 180-degree bend so the wire ends are aligned. Using the prepared chain-nose pliers, close the bend tightly so the two wire tails are parallel.

Using the smallest barrel of Wubbers® round mandrel pliers, form a small hook at the bend.

At the tip of the hook, use the 24-gauge copper wire to tightly wrap several coils around both silver-filled wires. Trim the short tail and tuck it neatly.

Center the long copper wire tail between the two silver-filled wire tails.

Leaving the copper wire centered, splay the two silver-filled wires outward to approximately 80 degrees. Thread one 4mm round turquoise bead onto the copper wire and allow it to rest between the bases of the silver-filled wires.

Wrap the right silver-filled wire snugly around the bead so it rests across the top of the copper wire. Wrap the left silver-filled wire snugly around the bead so it rests across the bottom of the copper wire.

Thread another bead onto the copper wire and slide it snugly against the previous bead. Repeat the wrapping process described in Step 5.

Continue adding and wrapping beads until a total of eight beads have been wrapped into place.

Using the tips of chain-nose pliers, bend the two silver-filled wires so they are parallel and extend closely together from the end of the ring.

Grip one silver-filled wire just above the bend using chain-nose pliers. Bend the wire outward approximately 90 degrees from the top edge of the plier jaw.

Using round-nose pliers, form a loop. After the loop, use chain-nose pliers to bend the wire downward so it runs parallel to the opposite wire, with both tails pointing in opposite directions.

Trim both wire tails with flush cutters so they meet approximately halfway between the last bead wrap and the loop.

Wrap the remaining copper wire tightly around the exposed silver-filled wire between the final bead wrap and the loop, filling the space completely. Trim and tuck in the tail securely.

Place the ring onto a ring mandrel and gently shape it until round. Slip the loop over the hook to complete the ring.

Repeat Steps 1–10 to create additional rings using the following variations:

• Ring 2: Substitute 4mm round amethyst beads
• Ring 3: Substitute 4.5–5mm round pink coral beads and replace the silver-filled wire with 20-gauge round copper wire
• Ring 4: Substitute 4mm round rose quartz beads and replace the original wires with 22-gauge and 24-gauge round brass wire
• Ring 5: Substitute 4mm round red creek jasper beads and replace the silver-filled wire with 20-gauge round copper wire