Make a Pendant out of Your Wedding Ring

Susan Beal, contributor

Here's the complete illustration sequence that shows how to make a double-wrapped loop (like the handmade hanger connecting the pendant to the chain) from Bead Simple.

Courtesy of The Taunton Press

Here's the complete illustration sequence that shows how to make a bead dangle, using the wrapped-loop technique from
Bead Simple.

Courtesy of The Taunton Press

You can make this simple pendant with any band-style ring or open circle. Watch my video tutorial to learn how to make the center-bead dangle.

Susan Beal

Here's the complete illustration sequence that shows how to make a double-wrapped loop (like the handmade hanger connecting the pendant to the chain) from Bead Simple.

Photo: Courtesy of The Taunton Press

Add Comment
Email to a Friend
Print
Share

Stumble It!
Facebook
DIGG
Google

When I was eight months pregnant earlier this year, I finally had to admit that my wedding ring had gotten too tight to wear comfortably. But I just couldn't stand the thought of not wearing it: it was my grandmother's from her wedding in 1943, and it's very precious to me. So I made it into this little pendant with a single pearl dangling in the center and wore that for the duration!

If you have a similar band-style ring or any type of open circle that you want to remake into a simple pendant, here's how I made this one:

Things 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

To Make:

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.

Here's the complete illustration sequence that shows how to make a bead dangle using the wrapped-loop technique from Bead Simple.

You can watch this step my video tutorial on how to make the basic bead dangle (the pearl part of the ring pendant).

2. Form a medium-size loop that will be the first (lower) half of a double-wrapped loop, using the piece of wire, i.e., 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.

Here's the complete illustration sequence that shows how to make a double-wrapped loop (like the handmade hanger connecting the pendant to the chain) from Bead Simple.

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.

Bead Simple - Signed Edition
by Susan Beal 150 designs for necklaces, earrings. bracelets, embellishments and more $19.95 more info...

Stumble It! Facebook DIGG Google

Add Comment Email Print

Comments (4)

Shines4 writes: What a fabulous and simple idea! My Mom can't wear her wedding ring any more due to arthritic fingers. She gave her rings to me, and this will be a perfect surprise for her.

Thanks for a great idea!
Shines Posted: 6:17 pm on June 3rd

junkgirl writes: Love this idea for re-purposing a ring. I may try a version using the same technique with my kids' baby rings. Thanks for sharing! Posted: 3:41 pm on June 3rd

Jewelry writes: Thats really a great idea of using wedding rings as a pendant, definitely we will have a try for this. Posted: 2:57 am on June 2nd

trusk4u writes: Wow! This is great. I have some old rings I'd like to try this with. I've never done a double wrapped loop like the one illustrated before,so I'll have to give that a try also.I have made alot of regular wrapped loops on my jewelry at www.trusk4u.etsy.com. Thanks for the new info. Will be checking back! Teresa Posted: 3:49 pm on May 31st

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.