Make a Bracelet

A step by step procedure on how to make a bracelet. Detailed information on tools and materials needed. Read and Understand instructions to complete steps.

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HomeLearning CenterJewelry and LapidaryMetalsmithing and Jewelry Making TechniquesMake a Bracelet
By International Gem Society

This article is compliments of the Wire Artist Jeweler. If you would like to learn more about wire wrapping, go to their web site at www.wag.on.ca.

Simple Beginners' Project This Beginners' Project was published in the March 1999 issue of Wired.https://www.gemsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/fig182.gif (1088294 bytes)
BEFORE PICKING UP YOUR TOOLS AND CUTTING ANY WIRE, PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THEM!
START HERE!
The Bead BraceletThis is a neat, simple, project that will teach you how to string beads with wire.  You can take these skills and create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc.  With different types and sizes of beads you can create many different looks.  Don't be afraid to experiment a bit, it's how we all learn a lot of things, by trial and error.  You may, however, want to make that "error" with a cheaper wire!   Enjoy the project, and wear it with pride.What you'll need for this project:
  • 1-1/2 ft (45 cm) of 21 round hard
  • 6 inches (15 cm) of 22 square hard
  • 11 beads (4 mm or 6 mm - your choice)
  • 22 little gold-filled beads (2mm, optional)

Approximate cost of materials:  $12.00 using gold-filled wire.

TOOLS YOU'LL NEED…

Cutters
Flat-Nose PliersRound-Nose Pliers
1.   Your first step is to see the Helpful HInt below!  Then cut 11, 1-1/4″ (or whatever size is right for you) pieces of 21 round hard.  Take one piece and, with your round-nose pliers, make a loop at one end.
https://www.gemsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/fig012.jpg (39609 bytes)
2.   Now, with your round-nose pliers still in the loop, bend the loop backwards slightly to that it is now centred.
fig02.TIF (940730 bytes)
3.   Thread on the bead of your choice.
fig03.TIF (110160 bytes)
4.   Bend the wire at the top of the beads over at a right angle and cut off about 3/8-inch from the bead.
fig04.TIF (680364 bytes)
5.   Now, with your round-nose pliers, begin to curl the wire in.fig05.TIF (474586 bytes)
6.   Continue to curl it into a loop until it meets and forms a circle.fig06.TIF (478556 bytes)
7.   Repeat steps 1 to 6 until you have used up all 11 pieces of the wire you prepared.   All of your bead links are now done.  To join them together, take your flat-nose pliers and open up one of the loops sideways (below), link another loop onto it (below, right) and close again sideways with your flat-nose pliers (bottom, right). Continue Step No. 7 to link all of the beads together.
fig07.TIF (488392 bytes)fig07a.TIF (112402 bytes)fig07b.TIF (95458 bytes)
8.   Make two S hooks to go on either end of the bracelet.  (See January's beginners' project.)
9.   Cut a 2-1/2 inch length of 22 square hard wire.  With your round-nose pliers, make a loop at each end of the wire as shown at right.fig08.TIF (714100 bytes)
10.   With your round-nose pliers still in the loop, pull back slightly to centre the loop.  Do both loops.fig09.TIF (702314 bytes)
11.   With your round-nose pliers, hold the wire in the centre and slowly bring it around so you have a U bend, and the two loops meet evenly.fig10.TIF (612102 bytes)
12. Hold the U bend with your flat-nose pliers about 1/8-inch from the end, and gently squeeze together.  fig12.TIF (478642 bytes)
14.   Place your round-nose pliers about 5/8-inch from the end (where the marks are in the picture), as shown below. fig13.TIF (554362 bytes)
16.   With the pliers still in the hook, move them to the back of the loop and bend backwards, as shown here. fig16.TIF (457020 bytes)
17.   Then bend forward again. fig17.TIF (382566 bytes)
13.   Using your flat-nose pliers, bend the loop on the tip up on an angle. fig12.TIF (478642 bytes)
15.   Bend it around as shown in the two illustrations below. fig14.TIF (1255616 bytes)fig15.TIF (1150654 bytes)HELPFUL HINTS
  • To make loops of the same size, mark your pliers with masking tape (see the January, 1999 issue).
  • Before you cut the 11 pieces of wire into the 1-1/4-inch size, work one piece to completion:  This will establish whether your loop is the same size as the one in the project.  If you prefer a larger loop, cut your pieces longer.
18.   Attach this hook to your bracelet by opening your S hooks sideways and closing them again.  Use the eye described in February's beginners section for the other end of your bracelet.  You're done!  You should now have something that resembles the illustration at right.fig18.TIF (1088294 bytes)
All designs and images on this website are © 1999 by the Wire Artists Group. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or transfer of the site or its content, in any medium, is strictly prohibited.

International Gem Society

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