Egyptian Coil Bracelet

This is a simple chain that requires very few tools. Bonus points for recycling wire!

Step 1: Tools and Materials

At the very least, you will need a pair of pliers with a set of cutters. It this demonstration I am using a pair of snips, round nose- and flat nose pliers. I also use a jeweler's ring mandrel in the end, but anything round will work.

You will also need wire. I'm using 12 guage aluminum wire that I dug out of my scrap bin. You could use any type or size, however.

Comments

[mcshawnboy]

I saw a similar item taught in classes outside of Baltimore at Coven Crafts with tighter coils that have a more exotic look. Here's a link too a YouTube video like what the teach for $65 bucks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT_5v9Vk8yw&feature=colike

[Neon Panda]

Nice : )

[dollywild]

Made one! Used 18 ga craft wire. Changed the clasp, a little. I found it easier to bend the wire in half at th start, other wise I had trouble figuring out where the middle was. I also work hardened my wire by tapping it with a hammer on a hard surface- this made it stiffer and less likely to bend out of shape with wear. Thanks for the great Instructable!

[grooooovy]

This looks amazing

[Taoiseach]

Who knew you could make such beautiful jewlery out of parts from an oven? Fantastic Instructable.

[Sagi]

♥BEAUTIFUL!♥

[Charm2bsure]

As long as the links are consistently the same size, this bracelet will look okay. I'm not crazy about huge clasps for it, but with this size wire it's pretty difficult to form anything smaller. I make this same bracelet in 18 gauge wire and keep the tops of the links almost invisible so that each link appears to be invisibly linked to the next. I used a swan clasp on mine, but I need to figure out something else more masculine for the guys. Charm

[cutekitten]

very cool

[noesc]

This was really neat, I have to make this one! Looks like it was made from an old woman in a hut inside a native village or something. Kudos to you hay_jumper! /noesc

[TippyStClair]

Excellent! Good Xmas gifts. I'm going to start now. Thanx... :}

[mspark400]

sweet just made one and it looks great and is a hit with the ladies! I have been making chainmaille jewelry as well as wire weaving for several years and this is an example of great design! cheers, mspark400

[Madrigorne]

You can spray the links with a polyurethane or acrylic coating to keep the wrist from greening up - or possible metal breakout. I think this is beautiful.

[ERNesbitt]

Great! My wife made me swear that I wouldn't buy her anything for Valentine's day this year (She hates Valentaine's day, and it's one of my favorite holidays). I have some copper wire in the basement and an electroplating machine. I'll just plate before final assembly.

[hay_jumper]

Please please please post your electroplating instructable right now . I'm not even kidding. I could use it Right Now.

[ERNesbitt]

Sorry, I can't be of much help... I actually have a machine and the appropriate chemicals with the metals already dissolved. My mother is a jewler. If this link helps, it's one on basic electroplating, but unfortunately copper dissolves with a pretty weak acid and some current. You need some nasty chemicals to plate with gold.

[hay_jumper]

Thanks! I had missed that one! Actually I need to plate a copper piece in copper, so this will help. I had tried spent pickle to copper plate the silver solder seams on the piece, but apparently the acid was a little too weak. Your link gave me some good ideas though...

[rupamagic]

Fabulous instructable, thanks! Really nice looking bracelet too! I used to play with jewelry a lot, but it's been a while. That's going on my list of "things to do once I unpack" since all my jewelry supplies (wire and pliers included) are who-knows-where at the moment. I got my kitchen and sewing stuff out so far... I hope this is the inspiration I need to get more.

[largejunglecat]

This is a cool project and very well documented! My only worry is that it will turn her wrist green =(

Wait, is that why this is categorized under craft & *green*? =P

[hay_jumper]

Thanks! I tried to make it easy to replicate.

Many people are allergic to ANY metal, so caveat emptor. Hopefully, you know your valentine well enough to determine if this is suitable!

This looks like copper, but it is aluminum. It came from the scrap bin, so I have no idea why it may have been plated.

You could use a more skin-friendly alloy like sterling or stainless, if you wanted to sell a kidney to pay for it. Your beloved may view that act in high regard.

I think this is loose enough that it wouldn't have time to sit on the skin and scale. My very first experiment into this was copper in a necklace that I wore all the time. Only on the most humid days would my neck discolor at all, and I got stopped on the street all the time by people saying "Where DID you get that necklace?!?"

"under craft & *green*? =P" -why I oughtta...!

[TraumaComet]

This is really neat! Great idea!

[Spint]

Great instructable! Im making diy valentine presents this year so this will help a ton.

[jaysbob]

ooo neato! any problems with things getting bent out of shape or coming loose? I'll definitely have to try this though.

[hay_jumper]

Ooh. Good point. I forgot to mention: You can hammer the coils and loops before bending the link in half. That will work-harden the metal a bit and make it less likely to get bent out of shape, plus, it looks pretty cool with a hammer texture.