Technique to make dazzling rings using wire wraps to connect faceted crystals
Two shades of red , one dark and one light, create a rich background for a lone accent of yellow or violet-colors taken from a swatch of quilting fabric. Notice how the accent colors add life to the reds, even when used in small quantities. But color was not the only element this fabric inspired. To capture the mosaic-like surface of the fabric, i chose sparkling, faceted briolettes.
MATERIALSOne ring
- 6mm round Swarovsld crystal.
- 6-8 11 x 5 briolettes.
- 6 4mm round Swarovsid crystals
- 20 in (51cm) 22-gauge sterling silver wire.
- 8 in (20cm) 28-gauge craft wire, sliver
- Beadalon beading cord 006. White
- G-S Hypo cement
- Twisted-wire needies
- Chainnose pliers
- Fatnose piers ( optional)
- Diagonal wire cutters
- Ring mandrel or other ring-sized cylinder
- Metat file
1- Using a twisted-wire noedle and 8 in.(20cm) of beading cord, pick up six 4mm round crystals and sew through them again in the same direction, leaving a 3-in (7.6cm) tail.
2- Tie the tail and working thread fogether with a square knot (see Basics), and glue the knot. Sew through the next bead in the ring and pull the knot into the bead.
3- Tie the working corda round the cord between beads with a half-hitch knot (Basics), and sew through the next bead. Repeat twice, then trim the cord. Repeat with the cord’s tail end.
4- String six to eight briolettes on an 8-in, piece of 28-gauge wire. Bend the beads into a circle, leaving a 3-in, tail on one end. Twist the long wire and the tail together to hold the beads in place.
5- Bring the long sire over the briolette to the right, over the wire in the circle, and down behind the briolettes.
6- Bring the wire up through the circle to the front.
7- Warp the wire around the circle again.
8- Repeat steps 5-7 with each briolette to lock them all in place. Hold the broiettes with your nondominant hand as you wrap, and prevent the tension from getting tights enough to break a bead.
9- Trim the wires and tuck them down between the briolettes with your pliers.
10- Turn the briolettes over. User the back of the cluster as the top surface of the petals.
11- Center a 6mm round crystal on the 22-gauge wire. Use chainnose pliers to bend the wire as shown in the photo. Don’t bend the wire against the crystal or the crystal may crack.
12- To assemble the flower, string the 4mm crystals and the broiettes onto the wire ends and slide them against the 6mm crystal . sperate the wires behind the briolettes.
13- Hold the flower in place on a ring mandrel or other cylinder. Make sure the band is slightly larger than the diameter of your ligner. Wrap each end of the wire around the mandrel two times.
14- Working with one end at a time, col the wire under the flower with two or more wraps. These support the briolette petals. make an additional wrap or two it needed, then remove the ring from the mandrel.
15- Wrap one wire around the band three to four times. Use flatnose pliers to hold the band wires together as you wrap. Trim the wire on the inside of the band , pinch the end against the band with pliers, and file the end. Repeat on the other side.
16- Side the ring back on the mandrel to reshape the band.
