Woven Ring Pendant

This pendant is composed of 7 wire rings, not including the jump ring. The rings are linked by mobius weave which means every ring passes through the others. More information for mobius weaving can be found here.

I got 25’ of 16 gage wire from a home improvement store for less than $2.00. You could also use a coat hanger.

Needed:
Wire
Solder

Step 1: Make rings

Using a socket and pair of pliers wrap the wire into a coil. Use a pair of snips to cut the rings free.

Comments

[S.Leung]

Made this one a while back, but forgot to take some photos. It is made from some copper wire (I think about 18 gauge) taken from a heavy electrical cord which was made of several strands of it woven together. I thought the silver colour of the solder looked funny with the copper at first, but luckily my cat doesn't mind wearing it.

[neilh]

I had an idea while making one of these tonight. On one ring, I made the loop extra long and bent it into a smaller loop to use it in instead of a an additional ring to run a chain / cord through.

The pictures show it better.

[neilh]

This was fun. I just tried making one. I used a dremel tool cutoff wheel to make the rings as I thought that might give more square edges. It does, but you have to hold the whole spiral in a vice, or it un-coils as you slice each ring apart.

Great instructable! Thanks!

[Kryptonite]

Brilliant, sadly mine's being a pain and I can't seem to arrange it evenly...

[neilh]

Kryptonite,

I just made another one and I may have a suggestion for you. Make sure that all the rings go through in the same direction, if you have one that is flipped around it wont sit right.

I learned that the hard way and then saw this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erHeGSNDpXk

(not my video, it's from a shop in Canada that sells rings & such that I happened to find.)

Cheers.

[bioboy725]

This is pretty cool. I never thought of soldering a partial mobius ball together like this. It looks great.

[michaelhoover]

Hey there! your instructables are what instructables were meant to be. They are so clear which really helps out when you are following them. I was making this pendent but I didnt want to solder it so that it could be worn on either side. After thinking for a while and trying different techniques I found a way to make this pendent without soldering it by weaving it. If you want any further information let me know. Thank you for all of your great instructables!

[Mrballeng]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and for all those nice words. Absolutely I'd like to know how you did it with out soldering. I'm sure others would too. Don't forget to post pictures.

[Gooberz]

I really liked this instructable! made it as a christmas present for my girlfriend.

[Mrballeng]

Looks great! And good job on the presentation. Thanks for sharing the picture.

[minhaj984]

Hi, I tried this out, does the size of the ring matter ? do the rings have to be exactly the same size ? They really dont seem to be sitting in place. Can we use normal solder instead of lead free solder ?

[Mrballeng]

You can use any ring size you want. As long as all the rings are the same gage thickness and also the same size it will work.

[barbarab]

Would you possibly consider doing an "Instructables" on the real basics of soldering? Or perhaps recommend a good online tutorial?

[Mrballeng]

Funny you should mention. I'm working on an instructable video "how to solder amature jewelry". Should be posted soon.

[barbarab]

I'll be watching for it (and make it REALLY REALLY basic ... there are those of us who don't know a soldering torch from a welder's torch!)

[dombeef]

I have made two of those mobuis weaves, and one of them is on a neckless and the other is a keychain that I made.It is made out of copper wire that I found from an old electrical cord. I don't have access to a torch but I used glue and so far it is working great! I don't have any pictures right now but I might soon if you remind me by remind me by replying!

Do you mind if I make a instructable on how to make a keychain version of this?

[Mrballeng]

Good going. And I think we'd all love to see your photos.

Knock your self out. I don't mind if you post your take on anything I put up. Thanks for the comment.

[recklesskiba]

looks like a have a new project after i make my gaunlet and gun lol

[Data643]

This is really hard to solder together if you do not have a pencil torch. Don't bother with a soldering iron or a 'plumbing' torch. It will fail. Miserably.
: P

[Mrballeng]

I made this with a plumbing torch which is the only thing I own for soldering. Where did you run into a dead end? Let me know. I'll explain better.

[Data643]

Oh. I thought you used a jewler's pencil torch. The rings kept spreading out on mine despite holding it together with pliers.

[zen of zappa]

about how many feet did you use for about a penny sized ring with 7 rings?

[Mrballeng]

I think I used about a foot and a half but not all of that ends up as used rings. Some wire is lost to the pliers grip when winding it around the socket.

[Mattrox]

Wow! It looks really nice, you explain every thing nicely, and you've taken really nice photos! 5 stars! I have a couple of questions though.
Just wandering what you used to solder it with? Would something like this be worth buying for jewelry making?
Thanks,
Mattrox

[Mrballeng]

This is the exact torch I have. I bought it in February and the ignitor has since broken but I would buy it again.

I bought one those pencil torches a long time ago. I was constantly refilling it and it broke pretty quick. I wouldn't recomend it. 

The torch I have has worked just fine for me but it's really for plumbing. Professional jewelers use a smaller flame with a bigger price.   

[Mattrox]

\Thanks

[andy55551]

When you pushed them together, did they just stay in place?

[Mrballeng]

Yes they stay in place but they won't stay in such an even arrangement without the solder.

[andy55551]

huh, mine wont stay in arrangement.

[mslaynie]

Did you solder it? It won't stay in arrangement without being soldered.

[efgal]

I've looked at a few of your 'ibles just now & it's great how you used such basic hardware stuff to create such lovely pieces! Really creative. As Squee said earlier, Rio Grande is an excellent supplier of jeweler's materials. Regarding the solder you get at the hardware store it's not really intended for something that gets worn, so use it with the understanding that it's not as strong as solder normally used for jewelry making. Also, if you don't get a saw to cut the rings to get the nice flat ends, at least go back with the cutters & cut as little as you can off the flared ends to make the flat. With these rings being a larger size you can do that without affecting the "roundability" of the ring too much. I do that sometimes when I need just a couple large rings for something. Not only will the seam be more attractive, it will also be more secure. Two cents from an experienced jewelry maker.

[Mrballeng]

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate any you send me.

[tuneznz]

Are the rings fused or loose and being held by the jump ring?

[Mrballeng]

The rings are soldered together from the back side. The jump ring is not soldered to anything though.

[Strawberryholt]

is the solder lead free?

[Mrballeng]

yes

[SpellboundAngel]

Would the type of wire this was made from matter? I'm thinking this would be really pretty with a few different colors.

[Mrballeng]

As long as the wire is the same thickness it will work fine. They sell different color wire under under the brand name "Zebra Wire". At least that's what they sell at the craft store here.

[nteri81]

So you are jsut soldering the back? so all the solder is visable on the back the polishing does not remove this?

[Mrballeng]

Correct. I'm just soldering the back and it's still visible. Polishing just makes the solder shiny. It's a one sided pendant.