Make Some Stackable Rings: A Silversmithing Tip

[@kathyrmatthews]

I like some of your ideas for variations on the stacker rings. My daughter and I make about 300 of these a year to sell at shows and to keep a couple of local galleries supplied. We usually start winding wire at the large end of the ring mandrel and go pretty much to the small end. The little ones make great rings for pinkie fingers, toes, or little kids. I love selling the larger sizes because so many people say they can never find their size because they have large fingers or large knuckles. Those people leave the booth sooo happy!

[@chadssilversmithing]

I try to keep some pretty big and pretty small sizes of rings on hand as well. I always love how thrilled they are when they find one that fits:)

[@kristibbradshaw]

What a wonderful idea.

[@marebear61]

I saw someone make stacking rings by winding the wire around the ring mandrel several times and THEN cutting them apart. She got several sizes without having to cut several lengths and tap them round. I thought it a nice time saver.

[@chadssilversmithing]

What a good idea! Thanks for sharing that Marin. It’s marvelous how everyone finds their own clever time saving tricks:)

[@inkedpulp]

I always make some tiny stack rings for the little girls. There’s not much available for the little girls at an art show and moms are often willing to pay for a stack ring and The little girls are thrilled to get something. I sell a LOT of them!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

That's a really good idea!

[@paulinemegson8519]

Not to be rude, but are you willing to divulge the sorts of sizes you use? I personally have sausage fingers so even those I think are tiny turn out to be not so much when ordinary people try them lol

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@paulinemegson8519 I usually make 5,6,7, and 8.

[@paulinemegson8519]

Cool, thanks Chad :)

[@kristibbradshaw]

Good idea.

[@ericpohlman8309]

Thanks Chad, Great information on multiple price points when working a show. I really enjoy the variety of content you provide and the straight forward approaches you use to build your projects. Keep up the Excellent work! Eric

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome Eric. Glad you are enjoying them. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@prubin111]

Thank you for your tips and knowledge! Did you make that beautiful bowl you had the rings in? 🌺🤙🏻❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Paula! That was my very first bowl after I got a wood lathe:)

[@NanaNan1]

Have to say Thank You for saying you have to think about spending 20-40- my husband probably won’t believe it😂. Glad to find your channel and I did join your Patreon but I’m trying to get my email straightened out .. I think it will go to the attached email but would like to join with my original Patreon account.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Welcome Nan! Thanks for signing up:)

[@Benomar1951Ben]

Hello from Benomar I appreciate your explanations.this permits me to learn a lot things. Next Saturday,I will travel to the High Atlas Mountains to look for some beautiful stones .

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sounds like fun! Good luck:)

[@NanaNan1]

I love making patterned metal sheets for my rolling mill, patterned metal is what drew me more into the smithing from wire wrapping/ weaving. It’s amazing what you can do with pieces and parts of fabric, wallpaper designs and it’s so easy to sit with heavy brass (what I started making my patterns on) and a Stadler red marker and just doodles geometric style designs.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Nan! I didn't really do much with texture at first, but in recent years, I've discovered how much it can add:)

[@amberjojola5007]

This was a very informative video!! I made a lot of stackables so i could practice my sizing because i couldnt size them right lol but now i know what to do with them!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Amber! I’m glad you found it useful:)

[@josephgraham319]

Too long since I did a show but truly enjoyed the vid. I miss the marketing aspect you stress.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Shows are fun, but exhausting sometimes:). Hard to hide my curmudgeonly and introverted nature for that long of a stretch, hehe.

[@susanmcneil5159]

Yes there are only so many pieces that you can gift before you need to bite the bullet and start selling your wares. 🤣🤣🤣 I have used gallery wire, round textured by hand, square twisted wire, the balled wire & twisted 2 wires together...I have to admit that the last option needed work on the soldering. Your videos are so helpful and informative.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you so much Susan! I'm glad you are finding them useful:). Take care!

[@kimgill4644]

I’ve made a variety of stackers, and you’re right, sometimes I’ve made my booth fee back in $10 - $25 rings! Lately my biggest sellers seem to be copper rings … I think the economy and copper’s supposed help for arthritis are what makes them sell well.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sometimes the little stuff pays the bills:). Thanks for the good comments Kim!

[@AndreaMorales-lb3jm]

Thanks so much for your talk..I so needed to hear the struggle of being a jeweler on the art vendor circuit.. I had those same beginner stories 7 yrs ago..till I found my niche.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You're welcome Andrea! Glad you found your niche:)

[@cryseldaventer8567]

A great addition to the stackring stach is to solder two thin round rings together and shape them on a square mandrel.

[@chadssilversmithing]

What a good idea! Thanks Cryselda!

[@FranciscoDeSousa-z3v]

Hi guys, What is the best place to buy silver in San Diego, CA?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Francisco! I am in Colorado, so I can’t speak for suppliers in CA. I get most of mine from Rio in Albuquerque. It only takes about two days delivery time to CO.

[@LisaDrake1976]

Off the ring subject but what do u do for chains? Do u hand make or buy

[@chadssilversmithing]

Mostly buy premade chains, but I have a few vids showing how I make them:)

[@eleanorjentas798]

How do u hide a solder joint on the patterned ring you made as filing it may make the pattern disappear

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Eleanor. For things with a pattern on the outside I usually solder the inside and use a smallish piece of solder. You can control the flow with where you apply the heat. I’m pretty sure I explained that much better than I am here in my video about bands. I’ll add a link.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Eleanor. For things with a pattern on the outside I usually solder the inside and use a smallish piece of solder. You can control the flow with where you apply the heat. I’m pretty sure I explained that much better than I am here in my video about bands. I’ll add a link.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Here’s the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fovHi2eni8l4gq8

[@NanaNan1]

What is the most common size(s) do you see people looking at for shows?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Probably size 5-8. Having some outside of this range though is a good idea though. People with very large or very small fingers are often so surprised they found a ring that fits that they buy it.

[@amandaredway9481]

What does the pickle/ pickle time mean?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Pickling is using any of various acid compounds to clean the surface of the metal prior to soldering or polishing. It removes oxides and flux that have accumulated on the surface during soldering:)

[@sandywood8437]

I do same as you all different prices can amount to quite good profit.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sometimes selling the little stuff pays for the show fee:)

[@LisaDrake1976]

Love the measuring tip. Genius

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maryleemartz3722]

Chad thank you for this viedo. I have been thinking about make some and you just helped me a kot!

[@chadssilversmithing]

You're welcome Mary!

[@garypryor6473]

Thanks for video Chad. I will be doing my 1st craft show in May, and this has been really useful.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Good luck on your show Gary!

[@patredden4557]

Another great video, lots of ideas. Thanks so much.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You're welcome! Thanks for all of your nice comments!

[@cseraphin3316]

Awesome💍

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Cseraphin!

[@christinabeanqueen]

I always enjoy watching your videos! When you have a bowl of stacking rings, are you ever concerned about theft? This is one of my concerns at craft fairs. Especially when it gets busy.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Christina! I do occasionally have something walk off with someone, but it doesn’t happen that often. I’m more worried about someone taking a more labor intensive piece or unique piece that I have some serious time and effort into. It helps to have a second person working the booth with you:)

[@kristibbradshaw]

You used to be a teacher. It's THESE not THESE ONES. Sorry. I do love your tutorials.

[@chadssilversmithing]

I'm aware of that Kristi:). I take full responsibility for my colloquialisms!

[@kristibbradshaw]

@@chadssilversmithing ha ha ha. You are very funny.

[@Gazz_R]

Fantastic work Chad love the triangular profile rings, real fancy. Take care and have fun!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Gazz!