Jennifer VanBenschoten's Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters. These super-simple cuff bracelets are a wonderful way to get to know the qualities of flat, patterned wire! They're stylish and understated, and there are endless options for embellishing the clasp.
Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet
by Jennifer VanBenschoten
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Cutting
  • Skill Level: Beginner
These super-simple cuff bracelets are a wonderful way to get to know the qualities of flat, patterned wire! They're stylish and understated, and there are endless options for embellishing the clasp. When they're made with patterned flat wire, they're especially eye-catching. Gemstone nuggets look particularly good as clasps, but you can also use large-holed pearls or large flat coin-shaped beads. If you don't have a bracelet mandrel, you can try using a can of vegetables or a flat-sided measuring cup as a tool for measuring the bracelet.

Materials

Flower Garden Red Brass Pattern Wire - 3 Feet
H25-3E
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.88
  • Gold Club Price: $9.66
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Matte Carnelian 10x20mm Rice Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-270
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.97
  • Gold Club Price: $7.48
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20 Gauge Half Round Dead Soft 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-20HRD
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $3.16
  • Gold Club Price: $2.37
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Tools

C.H.P Milano Small Sprue Cutter, 6-1/4 Inches, Flush Cut
PLR-488.00
  • PLR-488.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.95
  • Gold Club Price: $18.71
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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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Steel Oval Smooth Bracelet Mandrel
G7-20
  • G7-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.95
  • Gold Club Price: $29.96
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2 Ounce Rubber Head Hammer
G3-19
  • G3-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Instructions
Step 1
File one end of the flat wire smooth using the metal file or sandpaper. With the patterned side of the wire facing up, grasp the very tip of the flat wire in the round mandrel pliers and make a loop back towards the wire. Use the flat-nose pliers to gently press the wire so that the edge touches the wire. 
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Make a loop
Step 2
Place the loop on the top side of a bracelet mandrel to shape it. (Or a soup can, or measuring cup.) Bend the wire around the mandrel, using pliers or even a rubber mallet to help shape the wire, and trim using the flush cutters. You want to make sure that you leave enough space for the gemstone bead clasp.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, bend around mandrel
Step 3
File the other end of the wire smooth using the metal file or sandpaper. You can also file the corners off the flat wire to give it a more rounded edge. Use the round mandrel pliers to make a bend in the wire just like you did on the other end, but leave a gap between the edge of the wire and the patterned side.  
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, make a loop
Step 4
Begin a wrapped loop with the 18 gauge wire, but before closing it, slip it into the closed loop side of the bracelet. Finish the loop. Slide your bead onto the wire and push it down against the wraps.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, make a wrapped loop
Step 5
Using your combination pliers or your chain-nose and round nose pliers, make a loop in the other end of the wire big enough to slip over the open end of the bracelet. If you’re using 20-gauge wire, you might want to make 2 wraps over the round nose pliers.
To open and close the bracelet, just slide the loop over the open end of the cuff.  
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Easy Patterned Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, make a wrapped loop