Daily Wire Tip March 13: Planning Wire Length
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 13, 2010
Question:
I measure the amount of wire I need for a 7″ bracelet, but after it is done it ends up as a 5-6″ bracelet. Am I wrapping the bundles to tight?
Answer:
Without knowing exactly what style of bracelet is giving you this challenge, I can only give a general answer. If you are incorporating beads that are large around or very long, these can take up some of the inside dimension. While planning the wire lengths, are you taking into account the length of these wires that will be folded under or curled to finish the ends? Whereas you have already made a bracelet, try using it as a prototype; by measuring the wire lengths used for the above techniques and adding that number to your desired finished size, and then make another one, writing down ‘your own’ new bracelet formula.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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beads, bracelet, bundles, wire, wire lengths
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Project Help‚ Technique Tips‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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On Dale’s bracelet, I have noticed that if it is a larger stone like a 30×40 mm stone, the more you bring out the top and bottom sides to fit your stone, the length will shorten considerably. To compensate for this, start with longer shank wires to start with.
Jim is referring to the bracelet on the cover of my book (inside of which are both the sizing formula and the complete directions).
Like Dale and Jim, without knowing what type of bracelet you are attempting to make, the form of ending clasps, etc. it is hard to give you a direct answer. It sounds like you are definitely not taking into account the space that a stone or even beads can take up on your wires before binding.