Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings | Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin

The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings

by Judy Ellis

Today I thought we'd talk a little bit about a very useful, and yet (perhaps) under-appreciated metal finding. The Jump Ring!

Instructions

What is a Jump Ring?

Jump rings are small metal circles with a cut that allows them to be opened to connect pieces together and then closed again to secure them. Jump rings are useful for connecting clasps and charms or joining two findings that won't attach to each other directly.

Jump rings can be used in a series to form a chain-like design or they can be grouped in clusters.

How are Jump Rings made?

Here at Wirejewelry, we make a lot of our jump rings by hand, so I thought I'd share a few images of what the "birth of a jump ring" looks like.. from start to finish!

Step 1. Twisting copper wire to create a coil.

Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Making a coil of copper jump rings

Step 2. Coiled Wire

Step 3. Layers of coiled wire, ready to cut.

Step 4. Final jump rings, after cutting and tumbling.

After cutting, we count and package and sent them off to you!

How do you handle a jump ring?

To open or close a jump ring, it's easiest to use two pairs of flat or bent nose pliers. If you have one pair, you can hold one side with your fingers. If there is a gap, close it by moving the sides back and forth pressing gently together. The ends should overlap then snap together tightly so the tension of the metal will hold the gap closed. When you open a jump ring (or any loop) twist it open rather than pulling it open so it will hold tight when re-closed.

Here is a great tip by Rebecca Rudaski on "Working with Jump Rings" that demonstates opening and closing your jump rings.

Why so many jump rings?

"La-Te-Dah" is a phrase we've been using around our warehouse a lot the last few weeks! Why? Because we just announced a NEW series of DVD's by Patti Bullard called the Wire & Pliers Series. One of it's main components is the "La-Te-Dah" Interchangeable Jewelry System When you order the Complete Wire & Pliers DVD Series you also get the FREE Supply Kit.

Here's everything included in the supply kit:

5 feet of 16-gauge copper wire for links, charms, and clasps...

18 inches of 18-guage round dead soft copper wire for the charms

3 feet of 20-gauge round dead soft copper wire for charms and ear wires...

30 jump rings, 18-guage 4.0mm ID copper jump rings

A handpicked assortment of beads, spacers, and bead caps

Copper Headpins

Copper Ear Wires

16-guage 6.0mm ID jump ring for pendant

All the Jump Rings you need for your extender chain

Here are a few photos of some of the finished jewelry that you can create with the DVD Series and the Supply Kit.

Now you understand why we've been making so many jump rings!

If you'd love to try creating this beautiful NEW Interchangeable Jewelry Set, take a look at our Complete Wire & Pliers DVD Series and you too, can get some of our hand cut copper jump rings in your Supply Kit!

Materials

Complete Wire and Pliers DVD Series

DVD-WIREPLIERSset

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $239.70
Gold Club Price: $179.78

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Jump Rings

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Wire

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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Plier

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Lindstrom Multi-Purpose Shear, 5-3/4 Inches

G2-6000

G2-6000
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $34.97
Gold Club Price: $26.23

Add to Bag

WireJewelry Single Barrel Rotary Tumbler, Jewelry and Metal Polishing Kit, Includes 1 Pound of Jewelers Mix Shot and 8 Ounces of Shinebrite Burnishing Compound

G24-1-KITSS