www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com

BBJ – the source for jewelry making, beading, and metal work:  instructions, education and  projects from leading jewelry  designers, and instructors.  The online home of the public television program.
1909-3 Print | Close [X]

Patti Bullard creates a silver square kink to link bracelet.


For More Information Visit:


www.jewelrytools.com


www.wubbers.com


www.beadalon.com

 

 

Square Link-to-Link Bracelet
Patti Bullard, Ph.D.

No need for jump rings to connect these links into a classy bracelet. Even better, the links on each end of the chain connect to form a hidden clasp.  Gather your tools and materials and enjoy making this fun and versatile bracelet.

Materials:
16-Gauge Round Dead Soft ArgentiumÒ Silver Wire (approx. 3 feet)

Tools:
WubbersÒ Square Mandrel Pliers—Medium
WubbersÒ Round Bail Making Pliers—Medium
WubbersÒ Oval Mandrel Pliers--Small
Classic WubbersÒ Flat Nose Pliers, Narrow and Medium
Flush Cutter such as the Italian Small Sprue Cutter
Bench Block Helper or Polished Steel Block
Dome Faced Chasing Hammer--Polished
Texturing Hammer—Nine-Faced Texturing Hammer by EuroTool
Charcoal Block
Jumbo Max Torch (Refillable Butane Torch)
Butane Fuel (Triple Refined)
Stainless Steel Tweezers
Brass Brush and Dishwashing Liquid
Acrylic Nail File (400/240 grit)
Rotary Tumbler with 1 Pound of Stainless Steel Jeweler’s Shot
Shine Brite Burnishing Compound

Safety Tips:  Please remember to always wear safety glasses when making jewelry.  Work in an environment with adequate ventilation and practice safety when using torches (i.e., keep a fire extinguisher nearby, work in a fire safe place, keep a clean bowl of cool water handy, avoid loose clothing, tie hair back, and avoid distractions such as pets and phone calls.)

Step 1:  For a bracelet that is about 7 ½ inches long, cut 11 pieces of 16-gauge ArgentiumÒ Silver wire to a length of 2 ¾ inches, making sure that both ends of the wire are flush cut.
Step 2:  Using the larger jaw of the Wubbers Medium Bail Making Pliers, roll a round loop on one end of the wire.
Step 3:  On the other end of the wire, use the larger jaw of the Wubbers Medium Square Mandrel Pliers to form a square.
Step 4:  With the Classic Wubbers Narrow and Medium Flat Nose Pliers, close the round and square loops tightly.  To do this, rock the wire back and forth using a twisting motion to close any gaps.
Step 5:  Place a link on a charcoal block and heat evenly with the Jumbo Max Torch.  Watch the metal closely as it heats.  When the metal begins to have a frosty appearance, focus on one end at a time, until the joins are connected with a shiny, silver line.  Turn the torch off and allow the metal to cool for about 60 seconds.  Use stainless steel tweezers to immerse or quench the link in a cool bowl of water and set aside.  Repeat until all the links are fused.
Step 6:  Remove any discoloration by brushing the links with a soft brass brush, dishwashing liquid, and water.  If any discoloration remains, you may wish to sand lightly with an acrylic nail file.
Step 7:  Place each link on a polished steel block and hammer lightly with a polished dome faced chasing hammer to flatten the wire.  Use a tapping motion to avoid over-hammering and distorting the link.
Step 8:  Add the desired texture to the round end of the link using the Nine-Faced Texturing Hammer by EuroTool.
Step 9:  Flip the link over and texture the square end. 
Step 10:  With the texture side up on the square loop, place the small jaw of the Wubbers Small Oval Mandrel Pliers about half way between the square and round loops.  Roll the wire over the small jaw, moving the round loop into the center of the square loop.  Both textured sides should now be showing on the finished link. 
Step 11:  Before taking the link off the jaw of the oval mandrel pliers, use the Wubbers Medium Flat Nose Pliers to grip the link, pressing the square and round loops at the same time.   This will make the square and round loops lay flat together (so that they are on the same plane).  Repeat this process until all the links are formed.
Step 12:  To connect the links, use the Classic Wubbers Medium Flat Nose Pliers to lift the round loop slightly above the square.  Slip the round loop through the square part of the another link.  Press the link back into the closed position.  Repeat until all the links are joined.  Leave the last link opened slightly to serve as the clasp.
Step 13:  To add a professional finish to the bracelet, place it in the barrel of a rotary tumbler with about a pound of stainless steel jeweler’s shot.  Add water to a level that is about 1 inch above the top of the shot.  Then, add about 6 drops of Shine Brite Burnishing Compound.  Tumble for up to 2-4 hours, rinse, dry, and enjoy your bracelet!

For free classes and more detailed jewelry making information, visit Wubbers University at www.wubbersu.com.

www.jewelrytools.com

 

 

Patti Bullard & Katie Hacker

Copyright © 2013 Beads Baubles & Jewels. All Rights Reserved.