One of the things I really struggled with when it comes to jewellery making was rings. Unless you make an adjustable ring (which I have not got my head around yet) size really dose matter.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIg35RnzjSajeod2fViXx9Oj4DfCdb2HJh0YHmbYYKjmbkuBmqcokKsWRqM49Ok70-ptkmqhPJgnD34UVmINISkgyL9WQYjRjjM637GvFeiUJq7zCzyUltEmrnz2POX5P3wiBg4o9iAw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-20+at+09.58.02.png) |
One of the first soldered rings I made |
The first few rings I made I measured them on a wooden spoon that were 'more or less' the same size as my finger!
My next few rings were made on a blank ring mandrel that I got for Christmas, not in any set sizes, as they were not meant for anyone particular so the size did not really matter, I was just getting to grips with the making part.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAYer9jZHhaW7zhtZOtPNBKIrNXWqCz1PrGsqY91Y6nzFV7BfOIksRqFU-Hbjw7OxsFEaXx30L-PLPWhVYLZbaRwOpYMb-bzA5hJSw2gOOKkeIrAggI888SA3KkQ7BYTXIQkRF64tlpI/s1600/10152045_676450019063168_3351052450232247062_n.jpg) |
Ring made from Jen Cameron lampwork headpin |
Did you know that here in the UK they measure Ring sizes by letters of the alphabet ranging from A to Z with half sizes in between, where as in the USA they are measured in numbers, also we measure wire thickness in mm not gauges? So when I started thinking about calculating the length of wire I would need to make a ring in a specific size, taking into consideration the thickness of the wire I would be using it was enough to make my head spin and with the way that I tend to procrastinate over things that was almost enough to put me off making more.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLvLoZBhuFEWQprHDU7uSx8WuI56qgOKP7628TPotyfmfKQ5Uvgkk7ZO-4RcZCbZSV3-eQ3_tu4inHOKpPugurUkge5AjpUj1OrUyxrxL7gvy6H9MKJjSeWaJBOiWCsibMu_osrmxTxk/s1600/10409537_834441306597371_1550484977391501662_n.png) |
Stacker ring made from Jen Cameron lampwork headpin |
I used to be good at mathematics way back at school but that was a very long time ago and now due to over use of technology my brain has got rather lazy, So I was very glad when I stumbled upon this
wonderful chart from Art Jewelry Magazine that puts it very simply so that even my fried brain can understand.
Armed with this new information and a ring sizing stick (Because a numberless ring mandrel is rather useless in my hands) I am now on a mission to conquer rings....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IA29kng7_yMSos22L91jsQyV9466zTjRhaZdNssQJRUk7sSMTB3qLX4IE5XtkT8vIfVwDkk6jdEjqFS-tV55AbmDJsLF4W7qWuRPgnR3b5pzCEChnq0RlkSm91qHvfDcRMitA_0bX0o/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG) |
Rings in progress |
I hope this chart helps someone else as much as it has helped me, and soon I should have lots of rings to show for my persistence! Happy creating!
I did not know how ring sizes are measured in UK. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link for the ring size chart! I stopped making rings to sell as I struggle a bit with sizing too. There seem to be so many different ways to work out the length of the band and none of them were very accurate for me. I tend to just make rings for myself now :D
ReplyDeleteI love the way you are constantly growing and learning. Jen's glass looks fantastic in your rings.
ReplyDeleteYour rings are so lovely,great job !
ReplyDeleteThank you Niky for the ring size chart link! I printed it out and will keep it in my studio. I struggle with making rings as well, either they turn out too big or too small. Your rings are beautiful!
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