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Post by liveoak on Apr 28, 2024 6:47:09 GMT -5
liveoak , a lovely completion! I think what you did was extraordinary; it even looks comfortable to wear. The wrapping is great, as is the remainder, and the stone looks perfect in this setting. Thank you, Susan.  I've been torn about putting it up for sale or wearing it myself, so I think I'm going to try and pull off a second one. 
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Apr 28, 2024 7:00:09 GMT -5
I really do like the *potential* for this design, and will post it when my glass cab arrives, I finish the design (it's a blue glass cab of a boy riding a bicycle across the moon) and decide what to do with the clasp. The stone will be held with a twisted 18 gauge hammered wire across the back which is used to secure it in place with 26-gauge wire around the sides of the wire oval. (The tute calls for 28-gauge but I don't trust 28-gauge to hold much of anything, so I will change that part intentionally. I agree, Susan, it definitely has potential.
I wonder if substituting a twisted square wire for all the coiling would make it more doable ?
It does look like a LOT of coiling to do. But the "waves" are interesting and look nice on the band.
I think you did a great start, and shouldn't beat yourself up so much.
I certainly find that tutorials get me to branch out & learn new techniques, but I always figure it will take me at least 2 tries most of the time, for any complex one (like your bracelet). The trick for me anyway is to do it again right after, so you don't forget what you learned. At the very least, don't toss it in the scrap bin, but save it as a reminder of what went wrong/right the next time. I'm looking forward to seeing your boy ride across the moon
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 30, 2024 17:35:34 GMT -5
Sorry I am late to the party. I had an inadvertent adventure that lasted 4 days. Long story.
I love the design and I LOVE your bracelet! I hear ya on all that coiling though. I would be loath to try it, so I am super impressed. I think you did a great job. Too bad the cab wasn't a good fit. Please, do post the finished piece when you get the new cab. I'll bet you'll be happy with it and wearing it. |
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on Apr 30, 2024 22:00:32 GMT -5
I really like your bracelet Patty. I actually thought it was a ring when I first saw the pictures. Love the scale of the whole thing with a large cabochon. I wanted to do something with the stone but just ran out of time.
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on Apr 30, 2024 22:01:46 GMT -5
Susan, I think that came out pretty. Darn, good for a first try at that design. I can't imagine wrapping 12 ft of 28 gauge! I was actually trying to do something with a coil and for some reason I kept breaking wire. I thought I had wrapped that gauge before with the drill, but maybe not. I don't think I have the patience to do that much by hand.
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on Apr 30, 2024 22:07:38 GMT -5
Okay, here's mine. A lightly hammered bangle bracelet. I probably won't get a chance to patina it for several days. I followed a tutorial from Susie Wong studios on YouTube. I'll probably do this one again. It's pretty quick and simple. I ended up with a couple of wires for the clasp too short. I was able to hide them pretty well. This is made with all round wire. The middle part is twisted then hammered. The outer part is hammered then twisted. The bindings and hook are just hammered. s    |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT -5
Okay, here's mine. A lightly hammered bangle bracelet. I probably won't get a chance to patina it for several days. I followed a tutorial from Susie Wong studios on YouTube. I'll probably do this one again. It's pretty quick and simple. I ended up with a couple of wires for the clasp too short. I was able to hide them pretty well. This is made with all round wire. The middle part is twisted then hammered. The outer part is hammered then twisted. The bindings and hook are just hammered. s Very nice job. It's deceptively simple, which I like. My husband wears a bracelet. He'd love this. |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 1, 2024 0:17:23 GMT -5
I had planned to do a piece this past weekend. On Sat, we had a short break from a lot of honey do stuff. My brilliant self says, "It's a nice day for a ride." Well long story short, we got stranded 100 miles from home til this afternoon. So... I didn't get anything done. But, y'all did brilliantly!! |
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Post by susand24224 on May 1, 2024 2:58:38 GMT -5
rockjunquie Tela, thank you for the compliment! And I am actually in the process of wrapping another 144" of 28-gauge wire; every time I walk by the kitchen table I do 100 more times around the 22-gauge wire. I'm excited at the idea of finishing it, or them, whichever it will be. rockbrain Gary, thank you as well! I don't have that much patience, but I am capable of being quite lazy, and all that coiling allows laziness with purpose, so I'm at it again. BTW, I love your bracelet. It is simple and sweet, with just enough "oomph" to make it fashionable and unique. It never fails to amaze me what can be done with wire just by altering the gauge, hammering, etc., and you have reminded me of that versatility. liveoak Patty, I think your idea of twisted square wire would have worked but I didn't have enough in 22-gauge to do it. I don't think I could have done it with a larger diameter wire, just don't have the strength to make those curls with hardened wire. But--it's definitely an idea for next time.
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Post by liveoak on May 1, 2024 6:16:09 GMT -5
It'll be a killer patinated, and I bet a good seller.
I have one question - I noticed that your hook hooks in to the wrist - seems like it should hook out, so not to wear on your skin.
Thank you for the compliments on mine.
I was pretty happy the way it came out.
I hope you'll post a photo when you're done
Patty
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Post by liveoak on May 1, 2024 6:17:09 GMT -5
I had planned to do a piece this past weekend. On Sat, we had a short break from a lot of honey do stuff. My brilliant self says, "It's a nice day for a ride." Well long story short, we got stranded 100 miles from home til this afternoon. So... I didn't get anything done. But, y'all did brilliantly!! We missed you - glad you're home safe Patty
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on May 1, 2024 8:56:34 GMT -5
I have one question - I noticed that your hook hooks in to the wrist - seems like it should hook out, so not to wear on your skin.
Patty, I thought the same when I was making it but stuck with the tutorial. I'll have my wife wear it for a bit. I used her to size it. Man, she has a small wrist! I thought I mad a mistake. I did file the wire ends but may want to round the end of the hook bit more. I also think bending the hook a little more closed might help too. I think I could even make the end bend back into itself slightly and still fasten. More like a question mark shape. That would probably help it from accidentally coming undone too. |
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on May 1, 2024 9:02:17 GMT -5
Okay, here's mine. A lightly hammered bangle bracelet. Very nice job. It's deceptively simple, which I like. My husband wears a bracelet. He'd love this. Thanks Tela. It was posted as a unisex bracelet. I think for me I'd want it a little heavier gauge. It's all 18 and 20. rockbrain Gary, thank you as well! I don't have that much patience, but I am capable of being quite lazy, and all that coiling allows laziness with purpose, so I'm at it again. BTW, I love your bracelet. It is simple and sweet, with just enough "oomph" to make it fashionable and unique. It never fails to amaze me what can be done with wire just by altering the gauge, hammering, etc., and you have reminded me of that versatility. Thanks Susan. I like it a lot too. I look forward to doing some variations. I think Suzy Wong has quite a few YT videos I'll have to check out some others. It'll be a killer patinated, and I bet a good seller.
I have one question - I noticed that your hook hooks in to the wrist - seems like it should hook out, so not to wear on your skin.
Thanks Patty. I always like how the patina works out when it's twisted. We'll see about that hook! |
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Post by liveoak on May 1, 2024 9:28:12 GMT -5
Patty, I thought the same when I was making it but stuck with the tutorial. I'll have my wife wear it for a bit. I used her to size it. Man, she has a small wrist! I thought I mad a mistake. I did file the wire ends but may want to round the end of the hook bit more. I also think bending the hook a little more closed might help too. I think I could even make the end bend back into itself slightly and still fasten. More like a question mark shape. That would probably help it from accidentally coming undone too. Sounds like it's a little work in progress (isn't everything !).
It might be that because the hook is a separate link & can move independently of the rest of the bracelet, that it can work that way.
It was on my mind having just done a hook on my bracelet - but my hook & band are the same wire-so no movement.
It's a nice bracelet- I can see variations with brass & copper could look good as well.
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on May 1, 2024 17:07:09 GMT -5
Would it be helpful to others if I post some "fastener" photos of things I've made and/or pilfered? Also, for sizing--wander down to the local thrift store and get a (preferably) oak softball bat. Makes a great bracelet mandrel for a few bucks and you can hammer your heart out on one.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 1, 2024 17:15:56 GMT -5
Would it be helpful to others if I post some "fastener" photos of things I've made and/or pilfered? Also, for sizing--wander down to the local thrift store and get a (preferably) oak softball bat. Makes a great bracelet mandrel for a few bucks and you can hammer your heart out on one. Share away! |
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Post by susand24224 on May 1, 2024 19:49:51 GMT -5
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Post by liveoak on May 2, 2024 6:35:16 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing these, Susan. Very nice bracelets - lots of inspiring ideas here. I might have to shamelessly copy one- I love that third one ! 
Interesting variety of catches.
I really like your hammered coiled one.
I also see a simple detail on your third bracelet, especially nice,
making the loop for the hook squared off, is a subtle variation that I really like.
But I do find it interesting that you have at least one hook pointing in.
Have you found making it more flattened makes it comfortable when it's that way ?
Patty
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on May 2, 2024 8:56:05 GMT -5
Yeah, thanks for posting those Susan. Some great ideas in there! Also like the tip on the baseball bat.
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Post by susand24224 on May 2, 2024 15:45:12 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing these, Susan. Very nice bracelets - lots of inspiring ideas here. I might have to shamelessly copy one- I love that third one ! Interesting variety of catches.
I really like your hammered coiled one.
I also see a simple detail on your third bracelet, especially nice,
making the loop for the hook squared off, is a subtle variation that I really like.
But I do find it interesting that you have at least one hook pointing in.
Have you found making it more flattened makes it comfortable when it's that way ?
Patty
Thank you, Patty. The third one was a tiny bit tricky since the outside wires were already hammered and they have to line up up exactly with the inside weaving for it to work--it helps to cut them a bit long so you have some "screw-up" flexibility. On the inside weaving, I used cheapo craft wire--I actually think I bought it at Walmart. I prefer clasps going downward when possible so they don't catch on clothes, but often one can't do it for fear of cutting a vein and losing a friend/customer. This one, though, is very structured and stiff, and the clasp is fluid, so it simply lines up with the remaining lines of the bracelet. The key (for me) is to have a clasp that can easily move up and down and to not create too much of a "nub" on the end that can dig into your skin, although this can't always be done. Please copy, alter, and most of all, share your improvements! I'm sure there was a bit of copying in my brainstorming anyway. BTW, it as partially hammered on my Junion Louisville Slugger softball bat. |
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