Ring making
Making rings is not difficult, it just takes a bit of practise and the right tools for the job.
What clay to use: The easiest clay to start with is PMC Flex. It will give you plenty of time to perfect your design, is easy to join and gives accurate finished sizing. As PMC Flex can be torch or kiln fired this means you can torch fire simple wedding band style rings.
PMC Onefire will be a bit stronger once fired but requires a kiln and is a little bit more difficult to size accurately. However, it may be something to consider once you have mastered making rings and are looking to make on a regular basis.
You will need: Ring mandrel with stand (getting one without is not worth the small saving), ring strips, US ring sizer, snake roller, texture mat, clay shaper, safety cutter, paintbrush, cup of water and some paste.
Ring sizing: We recommend using US ring sizing as this makes it much easier to get an accurate finished size.If you are making a ring with PMC Flex only or with synthetic gemstones make the ring 3 US sizes larger than the finished size. The firing schedule for this will be 800C for 30 minutes.
If you are using glass, ceramics or natural gemstones which can not withstand the 800C temperature you will need to make the ring 2 US sizes larger. The firing schedule in this case will be 600C for 45 minutes.
Small and rings can be fired with a torch. In this case make the ring 3 US sizes larger than the finished size.
Method:
Use a US plastic ring sizer to measure the finished ring size. Make sure it fits comfortably over the knuckle.
Extend the ring sizer 2/3 sizes (depending on the firing programme you are going to use).
Place a ring strip on the mandrel and use the ring strip to find the place to build your ring. Make sure it is in the middle of the strip. Use a piece of cellotape to tape the ring strip onto itself (not the mandrel).
Use a snake roller to roll a coil and texture it with a rubber mat/brass plate. Flatten the coil using roller and spacers making sure the core of the piece is at least 1mm thick plus the depth of the texture on top. If in doubt, make it a little thicker so you can easily sand it on the inside later.
Unfold the ring sizer and use the length of the strip to measure the size of the coil and locate the textured area you wish to use. Use the safety cutter to cut a clean edge.
Press one end of the coil securely onto the ring strip on the mandrel.Rotate the mandrel so the coil wraps around the mandrel. That way you will ensure the correct tension of the coil on the mandrel.
Cut away the excess clay using the safety cutter. Secure the ends of the coil using plenty of paste. Use a clay shaper to smooth and integrate both ends of the clay.
Leave the ring to dry on the stand. If you have a dehydrator you can remove the ring strip with the ring from the mandrel once it is leather hard to speed up the drying process.
Once refine your ring on the in and outside to ensure the joint is no longer viseable. Fire are recommend above.
