Mixed Metal Wrap Bracelet Tutorial
by Rena Klingenberg – © 2003-Present Rena Klingenberg. All Rights Reserved
This breezy, lightweight bracelet wraps several times around your wrist (or once around your neck as a necklace).
It’s super-easy to make and stylish to wear. And it’s a great project for using up odds and ends of jump rings!
Supplies:
Tape measure.
2 pliers for opening and closing jump rings (flat nose or chain nose).
A stash of jump rings – preferably in different colors or metals, and a variety of sizes. This is what I used:
A clasp (lobster, hook, toggle, etc.). I used this simple S-hook I made a while ago from a piece of scrap copper wire:
Quick Tip:
If you don’t know the best way to open and close jump rings, see my super-quick tip here: How to Open and Close a Jump Ring.
Measure Your Wrist:
Note: I made my bracelet 24 inches long, so it would wrap around my wrist 3 times with 3 inches to spare.
However, I think 5 wraps would be better, especially for such an open-work piece.
So I’ll be adding more rings to my bracelet later to make it long enough to wrap 5 times around my wrist.
First, decide how many times you’d like to have your bracelet wrap around your wrist.
Then wrap a tape measure around your wrist that many times.
Look at that measurement, and then add 3 more inches (8 cm) to it.
That’s how long you need to make your bracelet.
How to Make the
Mixed Metal Wrap Bracelet:
I created my bracelet by starting in the middle and building out both sides from there.
So I started with my central jump ring:
Then started adding smaller jump rings in random color combinations on the sides:
After a length of smaller jump rings, I added another large jump ring on each side:
I added another length of smaller jump rings to each side, and then added my last two big jump rings – one on each side:
Keep measuring as you work so you’ll know when to stop.
I added a final length of smaller jump rings to each end:
Then I added my clasp to one end:
Here you can see how the clasp fastens (I simply hook it through the last ring on the other end of the bracelet):
To wear it as a mixed metal wrap bracelet, wind it around your wrist as many times as possible and fasten the clasp.
Ideas for Variations:
- Use a chain maille weave instead of making a single-row chain.
- Use split rings instead of jump rings.
- Substitute black rubber washers for some of the rings.
- Solder the rings after making the bracelet.
- Go wild with dangles attached to the jump rings.
