Silver bangles add a touch of chic to a casual outfit or a bit of sophistication to more formal clothes, but they can be pricey to purchase. The bangles are less tricky to make at home than you might think, whether you start with jewelry wire or silver sheets.
Silver Sheet Styling
Sterling silver sheets can often be purchased pre-cut to custom sizes.
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Things You'll Need
14- or 16-gauge sterling silver sheet
Jewelers' saw
Jewelry file
Mandrel
Rawhide hammer
Jewelry anvil
Ball peen hammer (optional)
Step 1
If you did not purchase your sheet cut to size, use the saw to make a silver strip 6 1/2 inches long by the width you want for your bracelet -- usually 1/2 to 1 inch.
Step 2
Use the saw to round the corners on the ends of the strip. This will make your bracelet more comfortable.
Tip
If you prefer, you can cut the bracelet large enough to fit over your hand and solder the ends together to make a continuous-loop bracelet.
Step 3
Use a jewelers' file to smooth all of the edges of the strip, removing the sharp edges. You can finish the last bit of smoothing with an emery board, as well.
Step 4
Use a jewelers' file to smooth all of the edges of the strip, removing the sharp edges. You can finish the last bit of smoothing with an emery board, as well.
Step 5
With the rawhide mallet and anvil, straighten the strip as needed. This also helps to begin the conditioning of the dead-soft metal to make it strong enough to hold up to wearing it.
Step 6
Add texture to your bangle, if you desire, by tapping lightly on the surface of one side of the strip with the ball peen hammer.
Step 7
Bend the strip around the mandrel with the textured side out. Tap the bangle with the rawhide hammer to finish the shaping. Check the fit of your bangle and adjust it as needed.
Wired and Beaded Panache
Make an adjustable, beaded bangle in just a few minutes.
Things You'll Need
14-gauge silver jewelry wire -- 11 inches
Needle-nosed pliers
Silver beads or charms
Side cutters
Step 1
Make a simple loop on one end of the wire. Bend the wire to make a 90-degree angle just above the loop.
Step 2
Slide the beads or charms of your choice onto the wire.
Step 3
Insert the straight end of the wire through the loop at the other end, overlapping the other section of the wire. Make another simple loop around the bottom wire.
Tip
Use your leftover beads to make a stretchy bracelet by stringing them on elastic beading thread. Add them to coated beading wire and use crimp beads to attach a lobster claw clasp and jump ring.
Flattened and Fashionable From Wire
This narrow bangle complements other styles when you stack them together.
Things You'll Need
14-gauge dead-soft silver wire
Rawhide hammer
Jewelers' anvil
Mandrel
Jewelry punch (optional)
Step 1
Cut a length of wire about 1 inch shorter than the measurement around your wrist.
Step 2
Place one end of the wire on the anvil and flatten it with the rawhide hammer from the end to about 1 inch up the length. Repeat on the other end.
Tip
You can flatten the entire length of the wire for another variation. After you’ve flattened it, you can also add texture with a ball peen hammer.
Step 3
Add a touch of interest by punching a small hole in each of the flattened ends. If the edges of the hole are rough, smooth them with a metal nail file or emery board.
Step 4
Bend your bracelet around the mandrel and use the rawhide hammer to finish shaping the bracelet.