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• Bead Baubles and Jewels - Beading Lesson (402) • |
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Jump Rings & Split Rings
by Katie Hacker
Sponsored by: Beadalon®
Are you confused about the difference between jump rings and split rings? Jump rings are a single wire loop and split rings are doubled like a key ring. Use jump rings to make quick connections that do not bear any significant weight, such as attaching a lightweight charm to an ear wire. Use split rings when there is a chance that a jump ring might pull apart, such as attaching charms to a charm bracelet.
There are special tools for working with jump rings and split rings. To open jump rings quickly and easily, use a jump ring opening tool. Place the metal band on your finger and press one side of the jump ring into the slot. Turn it to open the jump ring. To close a jump ring, turn the arms of the ring until you hear them click past each other, then bring the ends back together.
To open split rings, use special split ring pliers. Split ring pliers have a pointed tip that helps separate the loops. Use these pliers instead of fingernails to make attachments quick and easy.
Use a jump ring maker to make your own jump rings. This is especially great when working with craft wire because you can make jump rings to match your project. The mandrels come in different sizes to make coils in a variety of diameters. To make a coil, insert the wire end into the small hole on the jump ring maker base. Place your finger inside the large hole on the base and turn clockwise while holding the mandrel and wire in your other hand. To turn the coil into jump rings, remove it from the mandrel and use diagonal cutters to clip the rings apart. To make split rings, cut every other ring. |
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