Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet

by Natalie Patten

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Wrapping
Skill Level: Beginner

This easy-to-create bangle is made using minimal tools and materials. A simple way of channel setting beads, this design can be adapted to size, to make a pretty cuff bracelet that is adjustable and comfortable to wear.

Materials

18 Gauge Round Half Hard 14/20 Rose Gold Filled Wire

H6-18H

Lesson Quantity: 18.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $69.72
Gold Club Price: $52.29

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28 Gauge Round Dead Soft 14/20 Gold Filled Wire

H4-28D

Lesson Quantity: 78.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 10FT
Price: $15.21
Gold Club Price: $11.41

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4mm faux pearls

Lesson Quantity: 108.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 108.00 each

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Tools

Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Steel and Wood Bench Block 3x3 Inch

G17-25

G17-25
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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Instructions

Step 1

Straighten out the 18-gauge base wire with nylon pliers and cut to two equal lengths (approximately 9 inches each.)

Attach the 28-gauge weaving wire to one of the base wires, by wrapping it onto the base wire three times to secure. Position the weaving wire so that it starts 1 inch from the end of the base wire.

Pro Tip: Use smaller lengths of weaving wire if it is more manageable (for example two lengths at 40 inches could be used and secured to the base wire by wrapping three times as usual.)

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, attach the weaving wire to the base wire

Step 2

Cut off the starting tail of weaving wire and tuck in any sharp ends to the base wire with pliers.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, trim the weaving wire

Step 3

Add on three beads to the weaving wire.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, add 3 beads to the wire

Step 4

Take the other length of 18-gauge wire and position it in line with the bottom base wire.

Wrap the weaving wire around the top base wire three times, one inch from the end of the base wire, so that the beads sit flush in between the base wires.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the weaving wire around the second base wire

Step 5

Bring the weaving wire back down closely next to the beads and wrap it to the bottom base wire three times.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bring the wire down to the first base wire and wrap 3 times

Step 6

The base wires should run straight and parallel to each other and be separated in distance by the beads in between.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, keep the base wires parallel

Step 7

Bringing the weaving wire back up over the top of the base wires, add on another three beads to the weaving wire.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, add 3 more beads

Step 8

Secure the beads in place by wrapping the weaving wire three times over the top base wire, bringing the weaving wire back down and securing again to the bottom base wire by wrapping three times.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the top base wire 3 times and bring the wire back down next to the beads

Step 9

Keep the beads on each row close together and the weaving wire that is traveling back down to the bottom base wire straight and taut.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, keep the beads together and the weaving wire taut

Step 10

Continue to add on rows of three beads, securing to the top base wire and bringing the weaving wire back down to the bottom base wire.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, continue adding beads

Step 11

Use pliers to compress each group of weaving wire wraps to keep them neat and ensure the beads are sitting straight.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, use pliers to compress the wrapped wires

Step 12

Position the beads between your thumb and fingers to check that they are sitting flat and in the centrer of the base wires. Pull the weaving wire taut so that the base wires sit closely up to the beads in the center.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, keep the beads snug and the wire taut

Step 13

The back of the bangle should look like this, with the weaving wire positioned straight between each row of beads to add stability to the bracelet cuff.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, the back of the cuff looks like this

Step 14

Lay the bangle on a flat service to ensure the beads are flat and the base wires straight. As more beads are added the base wires will become easier to manage as the beads will keep them distanced accordingly.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, keep all the wires and beads straight

Step 15

Keep the wraps of the weaving wire neatly positioned next to each other and not overlapping.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, don't overlap the weaving wire

Step 16

Continue to add on rows of three beads. Adjust the base wires if necessary to ensure that there is approximately one inch of base wire starting prior to the first row of beads.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, continue adding 3-bead rows

Step 17

Measure the section of beads to check that you have added on the required amount for the length that you would like your cuff to be, taking into account the curls that will be added at the end. Lay the bangle flat to check that the rows of beads sit closely next to each other.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, make the cuff to your length

Step 18

The back of the bangle will have straight, taut weaving wire in rows between the beads.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, the back of the bangle

Step 19

Add on the last row of beads to the weaving wire, in the same way as before.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, add the last row of beads

Step 20

Position them into the channel between the base wires and secure to the top base wire by wrapping three times.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, secure by wrapping the wire 3 times

Step 21

Cut off and tuck in the excess weaving wire.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, trim the wire

Step 22

Neaten the wraps of weaving wire on the sides of the bracelet cuff, if necessary, by gently pressing them together with pliers.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, neaten up the wires

Step 23

Measure the section of base wire, prior to the beads, so that they are equal in length and that there is approximately one inch either side of the beads.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, leave an inch of wire after the beads

Step 24

Using round-nose pliers, start to curl the end of the base wire inwards. To create a perfect curl, cut away the small straight tip of the curl.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, begin to spiral the ends of the wires

Step 25

The base wire should now have the start of a full curl, turning in on itself.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, start to spiral the ends of the wires

Step 26

Use round-nose or flat-nose pliers to continue the curl on both ends of the base wire.

Ensure that the curl is fully turned in so that they do not catch on clothing or skin and that the curls face inwards towards each other.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, complete the spirals

Step 27

Do the same on the other end of the bangle, cutting off any excess base wire so that the curls on each side and both ends will be similar in size and proportion to each other.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, make matching spirals on the other end

Step 28

Once the curls are formed at each end, they can be made firmer by pressing the curl between the jaws of the pliers or gently hammered to harden the wire.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, you can work harden the spirals by hammering them lightly

Step 29

Check that the curls at both ends are positioned so that they sit flat at the end of the beads.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, ensure the spirals sit on the same plane

Step 30

The bangle can now be shaped into an adjustable cuff, using a bracelet mandrel or something cylindrical in shape. Gently start to shape the bangle from the middle outwards.

Natalie Patten's Channel-set Beaded Cuff Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, shape the cuff

Step 31

Make sure that the ends of the curls sit flat towards each other. The cuff can now be manipulated to sit comfortably around the wrist.

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Natalie Patten

I'm Natalie Patten, I'm from Liverpool in the UK. I first discovered my love of wire work during lockdown and this hobby quickly spiralled into a huge passion and obsession, for wire wrapping crystal gemstones. So much so, that I changed my career working in education, to become a jewellery designer and set up my business Rock, Scissors, Paper specialising in wire wrapped, ethically sourced gemstone jewellery. I also secured my dream job designing and teaching for the UK's largest supplier of beads for jewellery making! I make lots of different jewellery designs with a variety of techniques but my absolute favourite is wire work and I feel absolutely blessed that I can spend my time creating, learning and sharing my passion with others!