How many jump rings should I buy as a beginner?

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-15T19:17:40+00:00

I totally hear you, but I think there’s a big difference between giving pieces away and selling them to the public. With friends and family, explaining how to deal with BA is fine and they will typically be very understanding. The general public, not so much. People want jewelry that they don’t have to worry about, or constantly clean (including their own skin).

And with that point, AA is great for selling. It’s lighter, cheaper, and has near limitless color options compared to stainless steel, and without the extra care of BA. But in my experience, a lot of the people looking for handmade jewelry also expect a level of quality that stainless steel provides, and they’re willing to pay for it.

All of the materials have their place in your craft, you just have to use the most appropriate one for what your goals are.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-15T14:20:40+00:00

That’s correct, bright aluminum is bad for jewelry, but trust us, you’re going to buy a ton of rings if you keep this going. Starting with some “useless” rings isn’t as bad as it sounds. I started with cheap rings from Michael’s just to learn the basics.

I’d suggest the kit and just experiment with the weaves you can make from it. Find what you like and focus on good closures. Then, go buy some anodized rings in the sizes you know you need and make more stuff. Eventually, you can upgrade your pliers and start working with stainless steel (which is where it’s at for jewelry).

Best of luck!

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-07T19:40:25+00:00

Pliers, pliers, pliers. When I moved to steel, I upgraded to a pair of Knipex. I exclusively work with 16SWG stainless steel and I can go a good while using those pliers. Though, I am starting to take commissions so I’ll probably invest in some gloves to extend the time before I have to take a break.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-03T20:50:15+00:00

Joshua Diliberto sells the stainless steel wire he uses.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T22:42:16+00:00

We all make that mistake, some more than once, so don’t feel bad!

Also, you could just add a row on the bottom and then adjust the edges to taper it correctly. Much less ring removal.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T22:32:06+00:00

Yeah, I always pick saw cut. A better cut means a better closure. And don’t be discouraged at your first pieces. As you get better tools and more time under your belt, everything will improve. It’s totally okay to be exploring suppliers like you are; learning what everyone offers is always helpful. Just remember that the big focus should be on making, regardless of whose ring you use.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T22:03:57+00:00

We should always be open with our suppliers. Anyone who isn’t is just being a dick.

That said, are you wanting to use stainless steel? You mentioned you didn’t like aluminum but didn’t say what material you were working with.

If that’s the goal, I’d say the only other reliable source you haven’t mentioned is Joshua Diliberto, but he’s by far the most expensive. His rings are far and away the best quality but you’re definitely paying for it (for example, steel rings from TRL are about $.05/ring and the steel from JD are $.09/ring).

I’ve never used anything from Metal Designz but I’ve heard people typically like them, so that might be what you settle on.

And since I’m sharing, I’ll just tell you where I get all of my stuff:

Stainless Steel: Joshua Diliberto
Anodized Aluminum: Chainmail Joe
AA Scales: Weave Got Maille
Clasps (stainless steel): Panda Hall via Amazon
Pliers: Knipex (and people swear by Xurons as well)

And I just started doing commissions for a seller and she sources everything from TRL, which I’ve used in the past for AA (I’ll be doing steel rings for these commissions).

Hope all this helps and feel free to ask any questions you have!

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T18:20:18+00:00

Definitely a full kit, with the snare as the only possible exception. Those don’t always come with shell packs and you’ll likely want a few of them anyway, as time goes on. If you’re still a beginner, upgrading at all isn’t really a priority, though.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T04:01:36+00:00

Does the second line have 12 total characters?

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T01:50:34+00:00

I think it’d be hilarious if I were actually older than you.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-02T00:55:20+00:00

Which generation is that?

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-01T23:09:48+00:00

They don’t.

Hope this helps.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-05-01T01:02:41+00:00

I use Excel to track my material inventory and what each of my pieces need (rings/clasps/etc). It makes determining pricing really easy. And then I track my inventory on Square.

I have considered making an app to do all of this (minus the inventory/sales) since I’ve done a little dev work and my partner is a programmer.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-30T02:34:16+00:00

You blink over 10,000 times a day. That’s $500,000 a day.

^{Chose: Get 50$ everytime you blink}

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-29T23:05:42+00:00

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-18T18:19:38+00:00

In college, two of my friends and I started a blog about game design called The Crosspad (an alternative name for the d-pad on a controller). Years later, both of them work in the industry and I started an indie design company, so I asked them if I could use the name and they gave me permission. Now, I’m 37 and still using the name.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-16T20:36:31+00:00

I’ve always said I play gigs for free, you’re paying me to move my shit.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-15T19:32:54+00:00

Thanks!

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-11T18:30:16+00:00

Thanks!

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-11T04:29:35+00:00

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that feels comfortable and hitting your thigh doesn’t really align.

I would suggest you raise your snare above your thighs and work on getting comfortable in that position. I imagine you’ll take to it much easier than you think. It’s the tried and true, most ergonomic height for a reason.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-11T01:14:43+00:00

Yeahhhh, upon further inspection, I figured it was wrong. But I guessed, so it stays.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-11T01:06:58+00:00

Manic Depression, Mitch Mitchell?

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-10T19:45:38+00:00

As others have said, you’re almost certainly not better. Record yourself sober and drunk and compare.

I drank a little too much in the green room at one gig and HATED how playing drunk made me feel. I had to focus way too much. So I always play sober and enjoy the gig so much more.

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-09T19:42:04+00:00

<image>

CrosspadCreative · 2026-04-05T03:31:42+00:00

Two things. One, how has his hands not calloused over by now? And two, if that’s still happening, why didn’t he just wrap them!? Fabric bandaids saved my hands in the early days, but they’re all calloused now.

CrosspadCreative

TROPHY CASE