Wire Ring Tutorial

Countess Aryanhwy merch Catmael

last updated 27Dec13

During the 2013 Drachenwald Kingdom Arts & Sciences Competition, I entered a collection of Anglo-Saxon/Viking wire rings; the documentation can be read here. A number of people have asked for a how-to/tutorial on how to make them. They are really easy, so here are some tips.

First, you need to get ideas for designs, and the best way to do that is via looking at extant pieces. Here are some links to databases, etc., that I have collected which have images of period wire jewelry (not just Anglo-Saxon/Viking, and not just rings):

• UK Detector Finds Database, searchable by time period and type of item.
• Portable Antiquities Database, likewise searchable.
• A Swedish ring.
• A Saxon ring.
• A Roman ring.
• Another Roman ring, in the shape of a cross.

This list is, of course, by no means exhaustive. Next, you need materials and tools:

Materials

• Metal wire, between .5mm and 1.5mm in gauge. I have used steel, brass, copper, and silver, and prefer silver and copper between .8mm and 1mm. I cannot recommend either brass or steel. I'd love to use gold, but I haven't found an easy place to purchase any wire yet. For the others, I've bought wire both at my local craft store and at the hardware store.
• Glass, amber, or crystal beads in various colors, shapes, and sizes. (Optional. And not really documented.)

Tools:

• Wire cutters
• Flat or round-nosed pliers (avoid ones which have ridges on the arms). These can usually be found at jewelry and craft stores.
• Something the diameter of the ring you want to make, or smaller (esp. if working with brass or steel, or wrapping multiple times; it's hard to get the wire to stay as tightly wrapped as you may want). I have two wooden dowels of different sizes, and have also used magic markers, Crayola markers, kitchen gadgets, and lipstick tubes.
• Scotch tape.

Now you are ready to go! Begin by cutting a length of wire between 20-25cm, epending on the diameter of the ring and how much twisting and wrapping you'll be doing:

Hold whatever you are going to be wrapping the wire around firmly and place it in the middle of the wire, with the two ends facing towards you:

For a basic double wrap with single spiral, wrap the wire around the dowel so that the ends are again facing you:

At this point, it may be useful to tape the wire to the back of the dowel, to keep it from shift around too much. To begin a spiral, take the two edges, and turn them parallel to the dowel, pinching firmly with your finger to put a crimp into the wire:

Holding the center of the spiral firmly, wind the wires in a spiral around the center, one at a time, in 180 degree increments. Once you have made the spiral the desired size, slide the ring off the dowel.

At this point, it may be useful to tape the wires to themselves, so as to keep the band in shape. Sharply bend the wire over the band of the ring to begin wrapping the ends of the wire around the band. If your wire is too long, you will want to trim it now, but don't trim too much, since you will want to wrap at least 2-3 times, if not more. Once you've wrapped as much as you want, cut the wire so that you have just enough to fold over into the inside of the band. Crimp with a pliers, and file down with a file if there is a sharp end.

You should end up with something like this:

(Example courtesy of Lady Catherine Weaver of Thamesreach, who also took all the photos).