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Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, . This cuff is a great way to showcase a bunch of your favorite focals and beads.

Dimensional Wire Cuff

by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Forging, Lashing, Twisting
  • Skill Level: Beginner
This cuff is a great way to showcase a bunch of your favorite focals and beads. Check the chart for the size you want and corresponding wire needed.

Materials

24 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-24D
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $1.11
  • Gold Club Price: $0.83
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14 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-14D
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $7.61
  • Gold Club Price: $5.70
Out of Stock
Focal bead and asst. small beads
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24 kt Aventurina Swirl Oval Rubino, Yellow Gold, Size 32mm x 15mm
A3-256
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
Out of Stock
24 kt Aventurina Swirl Oval Aqua, Yellow Gold, Size 32mm x 15mm
A3-255
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
Out of Stock
24 kt Aventurina Swirl Teardrop Aqua, Yellow Gold, Size 34mm
A3-269
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.97
  • Gold Club Price: $16.48
Out of Stock
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Tools

C.H.P Milano Small Sprue Cutter, 6-1/4 Inches, Flush Cut
PLR-488.00
  • PLR-488.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.95
  • Gold Club Price: $18.71
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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6 1/2 Inch Bail Making Pliers
G2-18
  • G2-18
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.78
  • Gold Club Price: $9.58
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer with Wood Handle - Economy
G3-14
  • G3-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.57
  • Gold Club Price: $8.68
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Medium Rawhide Hammer 1 1/4 inch - Pack of 1
G3-7
  • G3-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2
G17-9
  • G17-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
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Premium Steel Bracelet Mandrel - Oval
MAN-217.00
  • MAN-217.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $42.97
  • Gold Club Price: $32.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Use the following chart to measure and flush cut a length of 14-gauge wire. Form a spiral/swirl on one end of the flush-cut wire using the large cylinder of bail-making pliers or a pencil.

Wrist Size Wire Length

6 inches 28 inches

6 ½ inches 29 inches

7 inches 30 inches

7 ½ inches 31 inches

8 inches 32 inches




Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make a loop
Step 2
Form an oval that starts after the swirl by wrapping the wire around a cylinder, such as a spool of thread, that is about 1 1/4" in diameter.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , form an oval
Step 3
Reposition the cylinder in order to complete the oval, finishing it on the outside of the original swirl. This oval should be the size you want for the top of your bracelet. I like an oval that is about 1 ½" by 2".
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make an oval
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make an oval
Step 4
Use chain-nose pliers to make a right angle that turns left away from the oval.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , bend the wire away from the oval
Step 5
Use the following chart to determine the length needed for the bracelet arm and create another right angle up.

Wrist Size Wire Length

6 inches 2 inches

6 ½ inches 2 1/4 inches

7 inches 2 1/2 inches

7 ½ inches 2 3/4 inches

8 inches 3 inches


Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make a right angle
Step 6
Measure ¾" and make another right angle turning the wire back toward the oval.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make anothe right angle
Step 7
Measure from the right angle in Step 6 using the same length as step 5. This should meet the oval where you will turn another angle.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make the next arm match the first
Step 8
Use the cylinder as your guide and form a half oval over the shape formed in step 2. Stop half way down the right side.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , form half an oval
Step 9
Create the second "arm" of the bracelet in the same manner as the first. Begin by bending a right angle outward to the right.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make a right angle
Step 10
Measure the same length as in step 5 and form a right angle down. Measure ¾ inch and make another right angle back toward the oval. Measure the same length as in step 5 and make another right angle down.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , create the other side of the bracelet
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , create the other side of the cuff
Step 11
Use the cylinder to form the second half of the large completing it with a spiral/swirl that will lay atop the ovals. If you have too much wire, flush cut it off.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , create another half oval
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , trim the wire
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , create a spiral on the end of the wire
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , make another spiral
Step 12
Hammer the bracelet on a bench block. You can "open" it as shown in the photo.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , hammer the cuff
Step 13
Temporarily wrap some 24-gauge wire in several places to hold the bracelet together. This helps the bracelet retain its shape when you hammer it on the mandrel.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , temporarily wire the pieces together
Step 14
Form the bracelet on a bracelet mandrel to create the appropriate shape. Use a rawhide hammer if necessary.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , form the bracelet
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , form the bracelet on a mandrel
Step 15
Remove the temporary wire and embellish the top of the bracelet as desired. Attach the 24g wire to one side by wrapping several times around a frame wire. Be sure to secure the sides of each bracelet arm together where they meet the oval. I like to do a bit of figure eight weaving on the sides as shown in the photo.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , add some weaving
Step 16
Add dimension to the bracelet by securing a few beads between the two ovals. Last the beads to the sides with several wraps. I usually add the focal bead next and then add the other beads.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , add some beads
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , add some beads
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , add a focal
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , add some beads
Step 17
I like to use liver of sulfur to patina my bracelets and then give them a couple of hours in the tumbler.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Dimensional Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Forging, Forging Jewelry, Jewelry Forging, Lashing, Wire Lashing, , patina

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