To download and print our guide to creating a simple band ring please click here.

How to make a band ring

You will need:

Badger Balm, PMC3 9g silver and some PMC3 paste/syringe, Agate burnisher, Clayshaper, Paintbrush and cup of water, Ring strip, Ring mandrel, Ring sizer (US sizes) Roller and two spacers, Rubber block, Rubber texture mat, Sandpaper, Snake roller, Stainless steel brush, Teflon.

Step 1

Measure your finger using a US size ring measure. (PMC3 shrinks two US sizes which makes it an easy size to work with.) Add two sizes to calculate the size of the ring you need to make to allow for the shrinkage. Place the ring sizer on the mandrel to locate the position where you want to build your ring and stick the ring strip in this position using a piece of sticky tape.

Step 2

Rub some badger balm on your hands and on the rubber mat. Use a snake roller to roll a coil. Place the coil on the rubber mat and place a spacer either side (on the rubber mat). Use the roller to flatten the coil into a ribbon shape.

Step 3

Add some syringe/generous amount of paste onto the paper strip on the mandrel. Press one end of the ribbon firmly into the syringe/paste. Wrap the coil around the mandrel allowing for a 2mm overlap. Cut off the excess clay and replace in the pack. Join the ends together using some syringe/paste and smooth using a wipe out tool or clay shaper. Leave the ring to dry on the mandrel.

Step 4

Once the ring is dry take it off the mandrel and remove the paper strip on the inside. Use paste/syringe to fill in any cracks on the inside and outside of the ring. Leave to dry then sand. Repeat several times until you are satisfied with the finish.

Step 5 Firing

Option 1 – Torch Firing

Place the ring on a Torch Block and gently heat the entire piece using a butane gas torch. First the binder will burn off, after this the ring will start to glow a pale orange colour. Time for a minimum of two minutes from this point. Quench in a bowl of water.

Option 2 – Kiln Firing

You can also fire this ring in a kiln for the Evenheat Pro-Set Kiln use the PMC3 Fast Programme (700C for 10 minutes). IF you do not own a kiln The PMC Studio also offers a kiln firing serve.

Step 6

To polish place on a rubber block and use a stainless steel brush. For a high shine finish, continue using an agate burnisher, or place in a tumbler polisher with mixed stainless steel shot and 1/3 teaspoon of tumbler soap.