Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 21, 2011

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

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
January 31, 2011

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

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
December 20, 2010

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

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 16, 2010

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

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 14, 2010

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

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