Marilyn Gardiner's How to Open and Close Jump Rings

How to Open and Close Jump Rings

by Marilyn Gardiner

We are fortunate to have Marilyn Gardiner as one of our contributors and today we share one of her simple tips -take a look!

Instructions

To Open a Ring:

1. I use 2 pairs of pliers to hold the sides of a jump ring with the opening at the top (12 o'clock).

2. I prefer flat nose pliers because they provide more leverage, are easier on my wrist, and are less likely to mark the metal.

3. Notice that the pliers in my left (non-dominant) hand point to the ceiling and hold the left side of the ring steady. The pliers in my right (dominant) hand are parallel to the table top and turn that side of the ring towards me.

Marilyn Gardiner's How to Open and Close Jump Rings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Opening a jump ring

To Close a Ring:

1. I use 2 pairs of pliers to hold the sides of a jump ring with the opening at the top (12 o'clock).

2. I bring the ring ends back together by rotating the wrist of my dominant hand and exerting inward pressure. I often hear a "click" as the ends touch. My dominant hand does all the work-the other hand just holds on tight.

3. The goal is to have the two ends lined up exactly, with no space between them.

4. I move the ends back and forth by small amounts to adjust the fit. If I go a bit past where they are even, the ends will spring back and line up exactly.

5. Take the time to close each ring carefully-this is the mark of professional work.

6. Use a superfine emery board or metal file to remove rough spots from the seam where the cut ends meet. Rub with your fingertip to test.

Materials

Jump rings by metal type

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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Plier

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Category: Chain Maille
Technique(s): Chain Making

Reviews

Marilyn Gardiner

I am a teacher who worked for many years as a teacher librarian and educational computer consultant. As part of my job I taught teachers and principals how to use computers in the classroom and I developed curriculum modules.I love jewelry, color, pattern, and design. It is thrilling to create something new that others love too. And I truly enjoy breaking down something complex into an easy-to-learn sequence that I can share with others, whether in print or in a classroom.

During the past 10 years I have energetically and enthusiastically developed my beading and chain mail skills and used my teaching background with adults to develop bead work and chain mail kits with step-by-step instructions that really work. I know that the kits have good quality instructions because of the positive feedback from students I teach and from customers who buy the kits at shows and from my online store.I regularly teach classes locally in Toronto ON, as well as occasionally in Mississauga, Barrie, Temple TX and San Antonio TX.I have been a vendor at bead shows in Toronto ON, Guelph ON, Montreal QC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Milwaukee WI, and Tucson AZ - and I teach a full slate of classes at these shows. My website has details.

In 2007 I was "Folk Artist in Residence - Beadwork" at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener ON. This involved setting up a series of lectures, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the year. There was also a good-sized gallery exhibit of beadwork that featured my work and included the contemporary and historical work of many others. The residency resulted in several articles in the local media.

I later completed a bead work commission for the museum, and some of my work is sold in the museum gift shop.I have published projects available online at Beading Times, Bead Bugle, All Free Jewelry, and The Beading Gem's Journal. Some of my kits are sold online through Beadfx. Kalmbach Publishing published my first book, Modern Chain Mail Jewelry, in 2015.Most of my time at present is directed to creating new chain mail projects.

I am currently working on several new designs that will be ready as kits and for teaching this fall. Each of these will have an Argentium sterling and a copper or Jeweler's Bronze version, and a couple will be silver filled 925/10. This will bring my chain mail kit total to more than 150. (My husband makes all our jump rings and packages the kits. Good man!)

Website: www.marilyngardiner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GardinerDesign