How to Make a Cuff Bracelet

Bracelets are big news for spring 2008 with bangles and cuff bracelets topping the list of jewelry must haves. If you want your wrists to be well dressed this spring, why not make your own artsy cuff bracelet? The idea is to take a basic metal cuff bracelet and decorate it to make it unique and give it an artsy, designer touch. Here's how to make a cuff bracelet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start With A Metal Cuff.
   
   To serve as the base, you'll need to purchase a basic metal cuff bracelet in brass or even sterling silver if you want to go higher end. These can be found in a variety of stores that sell jewelry and online. If you have the supplies, it's not hard to make your own basic metal cuff bracelet out of sheet metal.Your basic metal cuff bracelet should be at least an inch in diameter to give you plenty of space for decoration. To find a basic cuff bracelet suitable for decorating, do a Google search for “cuff bracelet blank”.

2. Gather Your Additional Supplies.
   
   You'll need glue to attach your decorative pieces to your new cuff bracelet. You can either use a five minute two party epoxy glue or E-6000 glue. E-6000 can be purchased at Art Supplies For Less. Avoid using hot glue when you're gluing metal to metal as the pieces will eventually pop off.

3. Now comes the fun part. Brainstorm some of the creative decorations you can glue onto your metal bracelet cuff. How about old, vintage buttons or brass filigrees? A visit to the hardware store will reveal all kinds of interesting, small metal parts in brass and copper that can be attached to your bracelet. How about laying down an antiqued brass filigree and glue a vintage glass button on top? How about clustering tiny glass or semiprecious gemstones in a decorative pattern on your bracelet? You can also use a metal punch to small holes in your metal bracelet blank and thread wire and beads through the hole. Why not create a funky, eclectic bracelet to which you've attached small dominos or painted wood shapes? Let your imagination run free!

4. Create Your Bracelet.
   
   Now that you've made the all important decision as to what to glue on your bracelet blank, carefully arrange your pieces before gluing them on. Once they're dry, your bracelet is ready to wear. Remember that natural brass can darken over time. Some people like this look since it makes it look more vintage. If you want to keep the shiny brass finish, you can spray your bracelet with a coat of lacquer, available at your local hardware store.