How to Make Silver Bracelets

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By geltdesigns
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Quick, fun and fabulous sterling silver stamped cuff bracelet

The possibilities are endless once you have mastered the technique for making this easy stamped silver cuff bracelet. Using only a few simple tools, turn a plain piece of sterling silver sheet metal into a stunning bracelet that will wow your friends.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Sterling silver sheet metal
Hammer(s)
Stamps
Steel block
File
Mandrel

Step 1

Assemble your materials and tools.

Purchase (or cut) a piece of 18 gauge sterling silver sheet metal ¾ inches wide by seven (7) inches long.
Step 2

File the edges of the metal until they are very smooth.
Step 3

Stamp your design.

Place the sheet metal on a steel block. Using a ball pein hammer, stamp the letters with your design or message on the bracelet.
Step 4

Form over mandrel.

Form over bracelet mandrel using a plastic or raw hide mallet until you like the shape and it looks and feels like a bracelet. Using a plastic or raw hide mallet prevents you from marring the metal.
Step 5

Hammer edge.

Using the ball end of a ball pein hammer (or a bordering hammer), hammer the top edge of the bracelet to texture and thicken the metal. In addition to adding a nice decorative detail to your bracelet, hammering the edges of the bracelet will "harden" the metal so that it will not lose shape when worn.
Step 6

Hammer & finish.

Turn the bracelet over and repeat for the bottom edge. File again to smooth, if needed. Reshape over mandrel, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

Designer tip #1: While this design is in sterling silver any sheet metal (including copper, brass, nickel silver, gold fill and gold) can be used.
Designer tip #2: If you do not know how to cut sheet metal, please see our eHow article “How to Use a Jewelry Saw"
Designer tip #3: If you do not have a bracelet mandrel, many common household items can be used in substitution. Pipes come in a variety of sizes and can be used to form curves needed to make a bracelet. Many large shampoo bottles are shaped like a bracelet mandrel. These bottles can be filled with sand, dirt or cement and used for shaping.
Designer tip #4: Inexpensive ball pein, plastic hammers and letter/number stamping sets can be found in many sizes at the hardware store.
Designer tip #5: Different folks have different sized wrists. This tutorial is designed to create a bracelet for the “average” person. To make a smaller bracelet, reduce the length of the sheet metal. To make a larger bracelet, increase the length of the sheet metal. For example, to create a bracelet for a teenager or small woman reduce the length of the sheet metal to six (6) inches in length.
See the resource list below for further jewelry making instructions in our Art Jewelry 101 series.
Be sure to take your time when filing the metal smooth. Jagged edges are not comfortable or safe to wear.