Daily Wire Tip: Making a Cuff Wire Bracelet

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

I am trying to replicate a bracelet I saw at a show. It was a heavy-gauge wire or metal piece, bent in to a square shape (closed), and then a thin wire, threaded with beads, was wrapped around it. I’m trying to find out if I can buy the ready-made structures? Have you ever seen such a thing? I’ve been to dozens of sites, can’t find anything.

-Rebecca in Cincinnati, Ohio

Answer:

Rebecca, because most of the Wire Faculty and I make our own wire forms, I do not know if the manufactured shape you are looking for is available. I can tell you that is rather easy to make your own, though. Depending on the amount of beads, their weight and sizes, you can choose from either round or square wire in a gauge from 16 through 14 for the frame. To add the chosen beads, you can use about any round wire that will fit into the bead’s holes.

I did a nice DVD showing exactly how to create a cuff-style bracelet, this one includes handcrafting your own wire filigree and using a chasing hammer and a bench block for hardening and texturing the wire too. Here is a sample bracelet that can be made using Intermediate Series DVD 4.

Perhaps you would like to learn how to coil beads into a stunning bracelet? If so, then I recommend learning the Arabian Bracelet taught by Albina Manning on DVD 1 of her Coiling and Weaving Series (below).

No matter your decision Rebecca, remember that you can take the techniques taught in our DVD lessons, alter and or combine them, and create many new designs!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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4 Comments

1. 

   Sandra Cullen

   July 28, 2011 at 5:33 pm

   Rebecca, I saw what I think might be a similar bracelet in a magazine. This one was two squares one over the other, like a window. In it they recommended using wire fencing, which is available in different sizes, from a farm supply store. Then cut the wire, on the outside of the metal box, with a heavy set of shears. I can’t think of which book I found it in but will try to find it and will post the info here if I find it.
2. 

   Mary Phillips

   October 11, 2012 at 6:02 am

   Love that Arabian Bracelet, gives me some stringing ideas. Thank you for sharing.
3. 

   Nan

   October 11, 2012 at 4:25 pm

   Rebecca,
   Fependinginv on the size if wire you have it us easier than it looks. First draw out a simple sketch.
   For instance- the first one I made I knew I wanted it 1″ wide. Remember a cuff style bracelet needs to be at least .5″ inches shorter than a full bracelet.
   I started simply by measuring for a 7 inch bracelet. I started with 14 inches if wire (just in case I needed the exta. My wires met in the middle of the cuff so I marked the wire in the center
   2. Measured 3.25 to each side (=6.5″) then used flat nose pliers at the mark to form the sides.
   3. Measured one 1″ then using flat nose again bent the wire 90 degrees on each side to meet I. The middle.
   Once there the basic frame is established I made interlocking loop by finding the center and bending the wire 90 degrees, forming a loop on one side and then doing the same in the left.
   If you want just a square frame you can overlap the wires a bit and secure using 24-28 guage wire.
   Use the best size wire you have inside the bracelet – depending on the type of beads you are using.
   Hope that helps…
   Nan
4. 

   Nan

   October 11, 2012 at 5:04 pm

   Rebecca,
   I left 1 really important detail out.
   Even though the cuff will be .5″ shorter than a regular bracelet you have to add the length if both size to your starter wire.
   Example 7 in cuff with 1″ sides (this would fit for a wrist size of 7.5″).
   So to figure wire amount – Cuff size (C) X 2 + Width (W)x2 + additional or attachment (A)wire fit attachment ( like HHS kind featured.
   C-7×2 is C-14 inches + W- 1×2 is W – 2 + additional wire to overlap or make interlock
   C-14
   W-2
   A- 3
   So 19″ of wire.
   You can trim Xtra or add more wire depending on how you want to close the frame.
   Sorry about that