Today we have a guest blogger. Please welcome Zoradia of
These narrow, stack-able bracelets are fun to make, comfortable to
wear and look great in different metals. This basic design can be used
on any metal you can manipulate as long as it is not brittle and is able
to withstand the bending and hammering. They can be left bright and
shiny, oxidized or colored with a patina. You can add more binding
wires anywhere you like, dangle a bead or charm from the little loop or
make the loop bigger. They can be worn with the clasp on top or bottom
as well. They can be made to be worn snug like a cuff or loose like a
bangle. You even change the shape from oval, like these, to round. I’m
sure you can come up with even more variations.
Supplies:
16 gauge round, soft wire 15″ (small 6″ wrist) to about 19″ depending on wrist size and whether you want these oval or round.
18 or 20 gauge half round wire for binding. The length depends on how much binding you’d like to have.
Bracelet mandrel or other oval or rounded shaped solid object to form the shape. It should withstand some hammering.
Chasing hammer or other type of small hammer for hardening and texture.
Wire cutters, nippers
Need file or cup burr for smoothing ends of wire
Round nose pliers for forming hook on clasp
Flat nose pliers for holding wire
Medium bail making pliers for creating a loop for the clasp. Size of loop is optional.
Steel block or anvil for hammering surface
Using the bail pliers or similar object, fold the 16 gauge wire in half like this.
Fold the 16 Gauge wire in half
Bring the two sides of wire close together. The flat nose wire is
useful for this step. Align the ends of the wires by moving the bail
pliers until the ends are about even.
Bring the wires close to each other and align the ends
With the flat nose pliers, create a small dip on both sides of the
loop. Make sure your loop is centered on both wires and they are still
aligned.
Create a little dip on either side of wires, center loop and check for wire alignment
Place your wires on steel block or anvil and hammer to flatten and texture the loop clasp.
Hammer loop clasp
Place you wires on the mandrel or other rounded or oval, solid
object. Make sure to center the clasp by keeping it in place. Hammer
all around the bracelet
except - the last 3/4″ of the
straight wires should be hammered only lightly. These will form the
hook for the clasp and will bend more easily if left somewhat rounded.
They can also be left completely rounded.
Bracelet on mandrel.
Remove the bracelet from the mandrel. It should look oval or round with the clasp in the center.
Bracelet off the mandrel. The ends are aligned.
Cut a section – at least 6″ – of the 20 or 18 gauge, half round
wire. Make a small bend in the wire with the rounded part face up.
Place the flat part of the wire against the bracelet (straight wire end)
leaving a tail to hold onto. Begin wrapping the wires together,
keeping the wraps straight and close to each other. Gently press each
round with your flat nose pliers to anchor them. You can wrap as much
as you like, but leave at least 3/4″ unwrapped for the hook.
Hook
the half round wire, flat side in leaving a tail to hold onto. I will
later wrap that section of the tail up around the wires as well.
Wrapped wire leaving 3/4″ unwrapped for hook.
Wrap the wires on the other side of the bracelet as well in the same
way. I find it easier to start at the end of the loop and work toward
the center of the bracelet.
With the round or flat nose pliers, create a small hook outwards by
grasping both wires (hold the bracelet firmly so the wires stay
aligned). This loop should be no bigger that 1/4″. You can make in
face inward if you prefer. It works best when made into a “U” type
shape so don’t make it circular.
Hook on end of wires
Trim the ends of the wrap wires on the inside of the bracelet and
press flat with the flat nose pliers. Make sure nothing sharp is
sticking out.
Move both ends of the bracelet slightly to bring the hook to the
center of the “eye” loop. You would giggle this as you would when
opening and closing a jump ring.
Hooked clasp on bracelet to be filed smooth with needle file.
File the ends to remove any burrs. If the become misaligned, place the bracelet back on the mandrel and adjust.
Place the bracelet on the (smallest) side of your wrist by gently
moving one side of it up and the other down. It will look a little out
of shape. Not to worry, when you hook it, it will easily align again
with very little effort.
All done! Make several more bracelets and stack them on your
wrists. These were left shiny with a protective sealant – ProtectaClear
from
Everbright Coatings.
Stacked up bracelets, hook side under.
It is easy to make this more oval, round or aligned by putting it
back on the mandrel to shape. You can also use a rubber or rawhide
mallet to harden it a little more if necessary.
