wedding ring pendant re-do
March 18, 2008 at 10:33 am | In I love to make things..., chatty, projects to do | 10 CommentsDesperation crafting struck this morning: at eight months along, it’s finally time to admit that my wedding ring has gotten too tight to wear comfortably. But I just couldn’t stand the thought of not wearing it, since I love it so much — it was my grandmother’s from her wedding in 1943, and it’s very precious to me. So I made it into this little temporary pendant with a single pearl dangling in the center. I can’t wait to slip it right back onto my ring finger, but until then I’ll be wearing it around my neck!
If you have a similar band ring or open circle that you want to remake into a simple pendant, here’s how I made this one:
You’ll need:
Pliers (flat-nose, round-nose and wire clippers)
Ring
One center bead (I used a 6mm pearl)
4 inches of 24 gauge gold-filled wire
1 gold headpin
Chain
1. Slip the bead onto the headpin and form a wrapped loop above it to create a simple dangle. Clip the end of the wire neatly.
2. Form a medium-sized loop that will be the first (lower) half of a double-wrapped loop using the piece of wire (ie: one lower loop catching the ring/pendant, one upper loop catching the chain, as in the photo), but do not start wrapping the coil yet. Slip first the ring and then the bead dangle onto the open loop so that the bead hangs neatly inside the ring or circle. Once those are in place, complete the wrap, winding the wire into a neat coil above the loop.
3. Now form a second wrapped loop above the first one, slipping your chain into the open loop before completing the wrap. Finish your pendant by coiling the wire around two or three times, until it meets the first wrap in the middle of the coil, and clip both ends at the back. Use your flat-nose pliers to flatten any edges that poke out.
Note: you can use wirework instructions and illustrations from any beading book to learn how to make the pearl dangle and double-wrapped loop. They’re on page 21 and 23 of Bead Simple, and I’ll be posting short technique videos for both (plus a dozen others) later this week, too — I’ll come back and post links then! Until then, I hope the text instructions make sense… looking at the photo can help you see the process, too.
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I love that idea! I’ll have to keep it in mind for when my ring gets too tight (the jeweler was smart and reccomended that I get my wedding ring one size larger than my engagement ring so I’ll be able to wear it a little longer when pregnant)
Comment by laura — March 18, 2008 #
What a great idea!
Comment by Sarah — March 18, 2008 #
Oh wow! That’s so sweet and beautiful! What a fantastic way to wear your ring.
Comment by AverageJaneCrafter — March 18, 2008 #
Absolutely gorgeous!!
Comment by paperdollygirl — March 18, 2008 #
that’s a great idea! i’ll have to share that with my mama clients… (i’m a doula these days!) i heart your blog and hope that you’re doing well. best, brooke
Comment by farmgirldrygoods — March 18, 2008 #
That’s so beautiful. I’m keeping it in mind for the future.
Comment by Jessie Mae — March 18, 2008 #
That’s genius!
Comment by Sister Diane — March 19, 2008 #
This is fantastic! I love the symbolism.
Comment by kelly — March 20, 2008 #
Susan: you continue to astound me with your creativity and heart!
Comment by auntSusan — March 20, 2008 #
What an EXCELLENT idea! I wear my husband’s ‘first’ wedding ring (got so small on him–his finger actually started growing around it because he wouldn’t take it off!) Any way…now it’s too big for me to wear. I think I’ll take the idea to the jewelry store and have something made in real gold! Thanks!
Comment by Mama Hen — October 7, 2008 #