Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring, Classic Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. This is a ring design that offers many possibilities.
Pinwheel Ring
by Dale Armstrong
  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
This is a ring design that offers many possibilities. Depending on whether you decide to use 3 or 4 construction wires, your choice of bead material (crystals or gemstone) and their shapes and colors, every ring can turn out completely unique!
Have fun mixing metal colors too, like silver and copper or gold-filled; or use colored wire for totally different results.Copyright © 2011

Materials

21 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-21SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 22.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.53
  • Gold Club Price: $1.90
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20 Gauge Half Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $1.52
  • Gold Club Price: $1.14
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4mm Crystal 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 12
A13-110
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Goldstone 8mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-672
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.98
  • Gold Club Price: $7.49
Out of Stock
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Tools

Swanstrom Flat Nose Plier - Pack of 1
G2-500
  • G2-500
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $43.95
  • Gold Club Price: $32.96
Out of Stock
Swanstrom Chain Nose Pliers - Pack of 1
G2-502
  • G2-502
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $43.95
  • Gold Club Price: $32.96
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Swanstrom Round Nose Plier - Pack of 1
G2-501
  • G2-501
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $51.95
  • Gold Club Price: $38.96
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Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1
G2-504
  • G2-504
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $20.97
  • Gold Club Price: $15.73
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Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15
G7-2
  • G7-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $37.97
  • Gold Club Price: $28.48
Out of Stock
Small Rawhide Hammer 1 Inch - Pack of 1
G3-1
  • G3-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.97
  • Gold Club Price: $16.48
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Scotch 3/4 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
G13-5
  • G13-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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Instructions
Step 1
Using the 21-gauge square wire, straighten, measure and then cut 3 or 4 pieces, each 5-1/2 inches long. Place these wires side-by-side and tape the bundle near each end. Measure and mark the center at 2-3/4 inches. According to the size chart that follows, measure and mark the required distance on each side of the center mark.

~ For ring sizes 5 through 8 = 5/8 inch
~ For ring sizes 8 1/2 through 10 = 11/16 inch

Straighten, measure, and then cut one piece of 20-gauge half round wire 6 inches long. Use this wire to make two sets of wraps, wrapping from each "side-of-center" mark toward its respective end, 4 times to show. Reserve the remaining wire for later.
Pro Tip: Note: "4 times to show" is wire jewelry shorthand; it means that there are 4 wraps showing on the front of the piece, with the cut wire ends on the back.
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 2
Place the back of the ring bundle (the side where the marks are and where the wrap wires begin and end) against the ring mandrel, 1-1/2 sizes smaller than the desired finished size.

Pressing on both wraps equally, bend the bundle around the ring mandrel so the wraps end up directly across from one another. If the wraps are not directly across from one another, return to the mandrel and make them right.
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 3
Remove the tape and return the ring to the mandrel. Firmly grasp the wires on each side and tightly wrap the wires flatly completely around each other, forming a knot.
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 4
Now, force the ring down on the mandrel until it is 1/2 size larger than the desired finished size. Carefully remove the ring from the mandrel and gently fan out each of the 3 or 4 wires on one side.

One at a time, slide your chosen bead combination onto a fanned wire. Immediately after the last bead, measure and trim the wire end so it is 3/8 inch long.

Use needle chain nose pliers to begin and flat nose pliers to form a rosette, rolling it tightly down so it sits at the top of the bead. Repeat on all remaining fanned wires.

Repeat the entire procedure on the opposite side of the ring.
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 5
Return the ring to the mandrel and press all of the beaded wires into place.
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 6
Remove the ring once again and use the remaining (8 inches) of 20-gauge half round wire to wrap 2/3 of the ring shank.

Return the ring to the ring mandrel one last time, and use a mallet to flatten the shank wrap. Your ring should end up the desired finished size.
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Dale Armstrong's Pinwheel Ring - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,