Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Make a classy bracelet from hardware store materials! This simple bracelet looks very upscale, but is inexpensive, classic, and easy.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Materials Needed
Obtain the following materials from your local hardware store (and/or bead or craft shop):
spool of 20 ga brass wire
spool of 20 ga copper wire
spool of 18 ga copper wire.
Look in the sections where they have doorbells and picture-hanging supplies if you are having trouble.
spool of 20 ga brass wire
spool of 20 ga copper wire
spool of 18 ga copper wire.
Look in the sections where they have doorbells and picture-hanging supplies if you are having trouble.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
"I've tried to make the pictures pretty clear. If you are stuck for extremely detailed directions, I am stealing this part pretty much straight from the book "Woven Wire Jewelry" by Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey. Many libraries have it."
The photos in this instructable are my own, though. Sorry if I was unclear - this instructable was actually more or less a repost from a jewellery makers website where I had entered the exact same instructions as part of a father's day jewellery contest. Most of the readers of that site (which is not up anymore) are familiar with wire weaving techniques. As is often the case, when one is too used to the technique, sometimes you accidentally leave out basic instructions.
Thanks for looking at it, and if you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them for you. :)
I'm in love with this stuff. It can be used on any metal, or wood, ceramic, papier mache- I can't find anything you CAN'T use it on. The supplied pamphlet says it was developed by the British Museum to restore/protect antiquities in the '50's, I think. It's supposed to not degrade the way other crystalline waxes do, it doesn't have the yellowing issues of beeswax... It's great stuff! There's an alcohol-based solvent that removes it. I assume it wears off as I wear my jewelry and reapply occasionally, but I haven't had any issues. And it cures the green from raw copper!
General note: Don't be silly- this IS a petroleum product, and NOT intended for human consumption. Please don't use this on anything you plan to eat/drink from, please don't lick your fingers when applying it, please don't leave it where your toddler might use it for lotion- you are responsible for your proper use of this product. :)
Yah the wire gets a little work-hardened, doesn't it? I was surprised about it. Congrats on the good work!
You have a good question. That copper braid becomes really tough as you work it. As to incorporating the twist while working the braid, you can try it, it would make a neat variation if it works out. The braided ends will need trimming, which will mean that you would have to make two simultaneous twists and then figure out a way to close it (no loop -- can't do it if you don't know how long it's going to have to be). But I'd love to see what you come up with!
The twisted wires become work-hardened and won't budge unless you are really trying. I had the same thought but was very surprised at how rigid they become. You'd have to really work at it to pry them loose.
The first one I did I made out of really small gauge floral wire and thin copper, just to test the twist, and two years later it's still one of my favorites. Gets a lot of wear. Everyone I've made this for wears it pretty much all the time against wrist pain, which I will neither endorse nor dispute, but they do hold up well. My dad never takes his off and it still looks pretty good despite him wearing it while fixing the car (wish he wouldn't do that...)
You could also incorporate another or two flattened copper strips in the front if you found yours splaying. The weaker first bracelet I made will deflect inwards if I lean up against a wall on the bracelet but ya know it kinda hurts to do that! It hasn't spread but it may bend in a little. Wrap it pretty tight and there's no room for it to move.
I did try to make one using phone wire (much easier to manipulate) that incorporated the twist into the sides, but it didn't gel for me. =( I have plans to make a colorful one out of phone wire (the twists on that would be pretty weak) but I haven't got round to it yet.
You can also do another set of 4 pairs and make it thicker, and then sweat-solder a clasp onto the end or otherwise put a nice end finish on and wear it as a cuff. it would be quite stiff and sturdy (use a big clamp). I see that thin 1/4" copper tubing, cut into short lengths and split lengthwise to make a C-shaped tube open down the length, filed neatly and possibly hammered (or the cut ends set with a stone expoxied into it), soldered onto the bracelet.
Variations are totally welcome even if they are just suggestions.
Yap the little thingie is only good for tapping at stuff like flattening wire. I have since acquired a proper bench block made of tool steel.
Thanks for checking out my instructable!
I think you might be thinking of galvanic action. To my knowledge you are not going to get a galvanizing event going here either even if you are dripping very salty sweat. Both metals will likely tarnish and possibly even corrode, depending on your body chemistry, but I don't think there is any electrical reaction forming as a result.
Who knows, though: I still hear people moaning about how their quartz watches drain their chakras or whatever. So your mileage may vary. All I know is copper gets nice and shiny when *I* wear it and turns green on lots of other people, and if that happens to you, just brush it with your toothbrush and regular toothpaste, rinse well, and dry, and it will shine right back up.