Keeping Your Bracelet Focals in Place

by Judy Larson

Here's a tip on how to properly weight your bracelets so the element you want to show sits front and center on your wrist.

Instructions

At home, I am not always good about drawing out designs and ideas in the small notebooks I carry with me and use when traveling. I use whatever scrap of paper happens to be closest. A dear friend and student gifted me a hand bound leather journal into which to transfer my penciled designs that are stored in shoe boxes as well as all over my work surface.

Judy Larson's Keeping Your Bracelet Focals in Place - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, bracelet tip

It is not always necessary to have a fully fleshed out tutorial to replicate a design. Sometimes, all that might be needed would be information about the sizes, gauges, metal content, etc., of the materials used. This simple but elegant bracelet is a case for that.

It can be annoying when wearing a bracelet with a focal element when the bracelet turns on the wrist so the clasp is more visible than the focal portion of the bracelet. Because the bezelled gemstone used in this bracelet is not heavy, the weight of the chain around the wrist and the extender chain helps keep the focal bead on the outside of the wrist. If a heavier focal element is used, add weight in the form of a bead or charms on the ring where the clasp is attached to the chain to help balance the bracelet weight.

The heavy gauge of the Argentium wire used to make the jump rings for this bracelet made soldering the rings closed unnecessary. It was only done to keep the outside of the rings smooth.

Materials

Sterling Silver Chain w/Bezelled Multi Semi Precious Stones 36in. (6.8x7 to 8.7x11.2mm) - 3 Feet

C8-207U

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $79.64
Gold Club Price: $59.73

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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

G15-20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Category: Design
Technique(s): Design

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

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