Question:

I want to get your cuff bracelet video. It looks like flat wire is used in it. Where do I find flat wire?

-Annie in Huntsville, Alabama

Answer:

Hi Annie, the only wire used in my Cuff Bracelet design is square! Anything that looks “flattened” has been done by using a chasing hammer, during the construction process.

Dale Armstrong’s Cold Filigree Wide Cuff Bracelet

I hope you enjoy the DVD, because as usual I don’t just teach a project but I also talk about how to make variations, ways to price, how to use certain tools, etc. And while creating the bracelet, you will also learn how to make “cold filigree“! As a progressive instructor, the reason I made instructional DVDs is to teach how to execute certain techniques, with the hope that after a student learns them (while making the specific project) that you will take them into future designs of your own! You can find many of the supplies used in the instructional DVDs in our DVD Supply Lists section.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

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

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

Hi Dale, I have 3 granddaughters ages 5, 12, and 13. I would like to make necklaces and bracelets for them for their birthdays, but I can’t seem to find definitive sizes for kids’ jewelry. I’ve looked at lots of web sites and each web site gives different sizes. I’d really appreciate your help. Thank you.

-Colleen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Hello Colleen, I think the reason why you cannot find any definitive information with regards to children’s jewelry sizes is because regardless of their age, all children are different! The best way for you to make bracelets for your grandchildren would be to measure each of their wrists and add 1/2". Because children also grow at different rates, I like to add a 1/2" chain with links that the clasp (usually a trigger or lobster claw style so the bracelet is more secure) will fit into so the bracelet can be worn while the child grows. (I have to note here that personally I do not recommend using any type of stretchy cord for children’s jewelry because it has a tendency to break too easily.) As for necklaces, again children are built and grow differently, so you could choose 16" as the overall length, or measure the child’s neck and add 3". I hope I have helped you a bit! Does anyone have another suggestion for Colleen?

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

Hi Dale, I just made a wire bangle bracelet out of square half hard wire. How do I harden it to retain its shape? I’m new at this and don’t have a clue! Thanks.

-Lisa in Beaverton, Oregon

Answer:

Congratulations Lisa! You have just made an heirloom piece of jewelry.

It has been my experience that when a bangle bracelet is created from square half hard wire, there is no need to find additional ways to harden it. As you wrapped the wire bundle, the wrap wires hardened, which will keep the main construction firmly together. After finishing the bundle, while you shaped the bracelet around either a found item or a mandrel, the base wires were hardening. Bouncing the clasp ends toward one another helps to further harden the formed shape. Most wire artists make their bracelets in the same oval shape as a human arm. In this manner, when the finished piece is worn, it shouldn’t spin around easily, which could cause the bracelet to lose its shape.

Of course there are some folks who like to play it safe by putting their finished jewelry into a tumbler with a bit of burnishing compound or Dawn dish detergent and mixed steel shot to get a final shine and further harden their finished creation. The choice is yours!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

Hi Dale, I was wondering, as a beginner to your wire wrapping style, what kind of a project should I start with? What do you teach first to you students first? Thanks.

-Tammy in Kelowna, British Columbia

Answer:

Thanks for such an easy question, Tammy!

As a progressive instructor, the very first project I teach anyone is my All Wire Unisex Bangle.

To quote myself:

This is my absolute favorite beginner’s project, because it teaches all of the basic skills and techniques I deem necessary to progress into any traditional or classic wire jewelry design that uses square half hard wire. You will learn how to straighten wire using only your hands and how to successfully bundle, tape and then make neat, tight wraps using square half hard wire. The procedures taught in my All Wire Bangle are found in about 85% of my designs and patterns!

Really, these are all of the skills needed to continue working with about any traditional wire jewelry design using mainly square half hard wire. My wrapping technique is good for making any type of wraps!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

Dale, my question has to do with woven weave bracelets. Have you, or will you, be doing a DVD on the subject? I have seen several, and would be interested in a tutorial in either DVD or book form. Thanks for any help you care to render.

-John in Alma, Arkansas

Answer:

I agree John, woven wire bracelets are gorgeous! However, that technique is not my personal specialty, so I would like to refer you to the artist who made this design her signature back in the early ’90s, my friend, Linda Chandler.

Linda has an excellent tutorial for the Basket Weave Bracelet design at this link: Basket Weave Tutorial (if the link doesn’t work, visit http://www.jewelrybylinda.com/ and click "Instruction for Basket Weave Bracelet Download" on the left side of the screen). Enjoy!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

I am wondering if there is a rule of thumb for sizing bracelets in inches. For adults, is there one size that fits most or do you make the same bracelet in 7", 8", and so on? I am speaking about less expensive, tourist type jewelry for shows, not the one of a kind pieces.

-Jan in Pinellas Park, Florida

Answer:

Jan, I believe you are asking what sizes of bracelets to make for your sales stock? We have had some really good discussions on this subject. If you will follow these links, you will find enough information to be able to make your decision in these Tips: What’s the Average Size for Bracelets? and Measuring for a Bracelet.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

Dale, I made the Beaded Clasp Bangle Bracelet from your Intermediate series. I wore it a couple of times, and the bead wire broke in the center of the chevron. Is there a way to fix it without starting over? I have an order for another one, and want to be sure this doesn’t happen again. What are some reasons for breakage? Thanks so much for all help.

-Janet in Greensboro, North Carolina

Answer:

Janet, there is only one reason that I can think of immediately, as to why the beaded wire broke. If it had been bent a couple of times, therefore destroying the temper and weakening the wire, it might snap. Yes, there are two ways you can fix it.

One way is to insert the end of a replacement wire, as you are removing the broken wire, hoping it will slide easily back through the end wraps.

Another way would be to cut the beaded section off, bend the remaining bead wire back over the inside of the side wraps, and finish it like you would the ends. Then open the chevron a bit more and insert something else, for instance a small cab done using the same procedure as the "cover" bracelet in Wirework.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

I am making a classic wire bracelet with a stone in the middle. The bracelet is being made from 6 feet of 21-gauge square half hard sterling silver wire, and 1 foot of 21-gauge half round sterling silver wire. The person that I am making it for says her wrist measurement is 15cm. How long, in inches, should I cut the six feet of square wire to fit her wrist? The clasp would be included in the measurement, since I am not making a hook and eye clasp.

-Jacqueline in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Answer:

When I take a custom order in centimeters, to transfer it to inches, I measure and cut a piece of string in centimeters, and then place it alongside a ruler for the correct inches. For reference, to convert centimeters to inches with a calculator, you can multiply the length in centimeters by 0.394.

As for the correct length of wire, well, how loose or tight would the customer like her bracelet? Our Faculty members and I usually plan the wrist plus ½” (1.27cm). If you were to make a hook and eye clasp, you would also need to add the lengths of wire that will be bent over to form the hook, as well as the width of the eye.

I am presuming that the stone is going to be set separately and then attached? If not, then you would have to take the distance across the top of the stone into account as well.

I hope that half round wire you mention is half hard for strength. Actually, I would recommend either using the same 21-gauge square wire for the wraps, or upping the half round to 18-gauge, because 21-gauge half round is not large enough to support a 21-gauge wire bracelet – unless you plan on doing a LOT of wrapping! This style of bracelet is always difficult to formulate and get perfect, as there is no real opportunity for corrections.

Have fun!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Question:

I want to make a silver and copper bracelet. Which works best with copper, Sterling Silver or Anti-Tarnish Silver?

-Marilyn in Canyon, Texas

Answer:

As the designer of your bracelet vision, the choice really is up to you! If you would like the bracelet to eventually tarnish to an antique look, then use Sterling Silver. If you would like just the copper to turn and the silver to remain bright, then choose Anti-Tarnish Argentium Silver.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email