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Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. You may know the works of Alexander Calder.

Calder-inspired Bracelet

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Forging, Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
You may know the works of Alexander Calder. World famous for his mobiles, sculpture and jewelry work, his pieces are incredibly inspiring.

This cuff bracelet was inspired by Calder's love of spirals and abstract shapes.

I am using phosphorous bronze wire for the wrapping and shapes.

Materials

8 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-8D
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $3.13
  • Gold Club Price: $2.35
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18 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-18D
  • Lesson Quantity: 5.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $3.53
  • Gold Club Price: $2.65
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
  • G10-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.95
  • Gold Club Price: $8.21
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Swivel-Headed Pin Vise
PIN-220.00
  • PIN-220.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
  • PUN-430.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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Steel Round Smooth Bracelet Mandrel
G7-15
  • G7-15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Instructions
Step 1
Clean the copper wire with the 400 grit sandpaper. Measure 3/8" off each end and make a mark using the permanent marker. Lay the wire on the steel bench block and use the chasing hammer flatten each end to the 3/8" mark.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, flatten the wire
Step 2
Rest the ends on the bench pin and round the edges using the flat needle file.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, round the edges with a needle file
Step 3
Make a mark in the center of the paddled end of the wire with the marker, then make a divot using the auto center punch.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make a divot using a center punch
Step 4
Rest the wire on the bench pin and drill a through hole with the pin vise fitted with the #55 drill bit.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, drill
Step 5
Using the bracelet mandrel, bend the copper wire around the mandrel as shown.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bend
Step 6
Beginning on one end of the copper wire, thread one end of the 18 gauge wire through the hole, leaving a ¾" tail and secure it with the cushion clamp.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bracelet
Step 7
Wrap the wire three times, then on the 4th wrap, make a loop by wrapping the wire around the 8 gauge wire mandrel.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make a loop
Step 8
Continue with this pattern of three wraps around the copper wire bracelet body and one loop wrap around the wire mandrel.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bracelet
Step 9
Thread the end through the hole and trim to ¾".
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bracelet
Step 10
Lay the wire ends on the steel bench block and flatten with the chasing hammer.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, flatten the wire
Step 11
Wrap the flattened ends around the copper wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bracelet
Step 12
Cut varied lengths (1" to 3") of the 16 gauge wire equal to the number of loops on the bracelet and file the ends smooth. Using the round nose pliers, make an eye in the end of each wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cut wire lengths
Step 13
Randomly shape the wires into spirals, leave some straight, you decide what shapes you like. Flatten the wires on the steel bench block with the chasing hammer, do not hammer the eyes.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make loops
Step 14
File the ends as necessary to make sure they are smooth after hammering. Attach the shaped wires to the loops on the bracelet.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, attach the wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Calder-inspired Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Calder inspired bracelet

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