The ring has long been popular as a craft because it is a small and portable accessory. People can also express their own personalities through imprinting and decorating a ring. For this reason, rings are not just decorative, but also used as objects to commemorate something special, and have become commonplace. Why don’t you make a ring that represents you, too?

Making Rings and Leaving Memories
There is a handicraft ring workshop, Somcdang[솜씨당], in Jeonju Hanok Village. You can make rings and other accessories there using metal and knot work. There are various designs to choose from for the accessories. For ring designs, there are wave-shaped designs, thick or thin sizes, bumpy patterns, or toppers using cubic zirconia, etc. Note that the price changes depending on the design. When you are prepared to design and craft your very own homemade ring, here are the essential steps.

1. Choose a ring design and measure your ring size.

2. Engrave a word on the inside of the chosen ring. 
Before the ring is shaped, it is in the form of a metallic silver rod. If you want a design or engraving on your ring, then prepare a metal stamp and strike the stamp onto the silver rod using a mallet. Do not hammer the stamps too forcefully or too lightly because the imprinted word can either be easily erased or not erased at all. You must also make sure to put the stamp on the center of the ring strip so that the letters will not be cut off.

3. Fuse together both ends of the silver strip.
You will then make the silver strip into a circle using borax combined with water. This is used as a flux for soldering. Then fuse the ring together using a blowtorch.

4. Stretch your ring to your size.
Slide your ring onto a ring mandrel and draw a line of your ring gauge’s upper side on the ring mandrel. Because the ring is small, it needs to be stretched to fit your size. Hammer the outside of your ring and then insert your ring the other way around. This process should be repeated until your ring reaches the line you drew. Be careful not to hammer as if pushing down from the top.

5. Make the bumpy ring flat.
Put your ring on top of the anvil and hammer your ring with a small circular tool until the top edges become rounded and no longer bumpy.

6. Make the edges of the ring rounded.
If you chose a ring design with a curved edge, you need to make the edge of the ring rounded. Fix your ring on the rigid support and grind the edge of your ring using an iron stick. During this process, be careful because silver dust may pepper the air.

7. Make your ring entirely smooth.
Make your ring completely smooth using a handpiece with a sandpaper roll. Your ring will become heated if you use the handpiece for a long time. Be careful of the heat and be mindful not to erase the engraving. The ring will be complete once the expert finishes such as the laser engraving.

Ring crafting is wonderful to do with friends or loved ones. While making the ring, you can create memories and special moments with each other. In addition, making a ring doesn’t have a complicated process. The Expert will help you with any complex or delicate tasks. Put your heart and soul into the making of your next ring and treasure it for a long time.

 | Ha Yae-one Editor, Jo Soo-jin Reporter