By-Pass Ring

       I taught a class yesterday on making by-pass rings.  You know, the kind that wraps around your finger and the ends by-pass each other.  The ring was designed by Jeanette Landenwitch and she gave me permission to teach it.  The directions were simple; roll out the clay, cut a strip, decorate it and fire it.  Once it is fired, the strip is bent around a metal ring mandrel with the fingers.

    Sounds easy enough and it is.  The hard part is designing the ring.  Unlike making a regular ring you don't know exactly what it will look like until it is done.  So, I had to try to adjust the lesson to make the outcome a little more predictable.  At least as predictable as is possible.  We'll find out tomorrow how our designs worked out.  I fired them today for maximum strength.  My student, Carol, came up with a good idea.  She made the band and decorated only one end.  After she wraps the ring, she is going to finish the other end so they line up and refire it for a shorter time period.  

I love teaching; you learn something new every day.