Comments on: Rustic Cuff Bracelet Tutorial

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 05 May 2020 18:59:05 +0000

In reply to Glen F. Glen F, Thank you so much for your tips!

By: Glen F

Glen F — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:53:41 +0000

You could try using a rolling pin, the best ones are made of wood and you can get them in different thickenesses and will last a life time. You can also trim them down in size by using a belt sander or a wood laithe if you have access to one. Wooden rolling pins are like a real mandrel and come in different thickenesses. They are super cheap to buy usually well under £10 and you can hit them as much as you like and nothing will happen to the wood. Love the site Rena, keep up the great work – Glen F

By: Krystal

Krystal — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 18:35:54 +0000

In reply to Cyndi L. Cyndi, anyway I can learn about your torch patinas?

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 04:36:46 +0000

In reply to Jen. Hi Jen, great question! My usual bracelet mandrel is indeed tapered. I find that for wide cuff bracelets, the bracelet fits better with that taper. Most arms are smaller at the wrist and get wider at the forearm. So the narrower end of the bracelet is worn nearer to the wrist, and the wider end of bracelet is toward the forearm. Thanks for asking, and I hope this helps! :)

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 03:12:17 +0000

Can’t wait to try this! Just wondering if your bracelet mandrel is tapered? All the ones that I am finding are, and I would think a tapered one would cause a wide bracelet such as this to be smaller on one side.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 09 May 2018 03:22:42 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Thank you, Laurie! I haven't made much jewelry with aluminum sheet, so I'm not sure how it will work for this project. But since you have a large roll of the aluminum, you might want to experiment by making a small bracelet and see if it seems sturdy enough when it's finished.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 09 May 2018 02:25:22 +0000

Very awesome tutorial. Thanks. I have a large roll of 22 gauge aluminum, Do you think that would work instead of copper?

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:39:50 +0000

In reply to Veronica Salfi. I'm so glad to hear that, Veronica! You will love playing with patinas. :)

By: Veronica Salfi

Veronica Salfi — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:04:10 +0000

I am learning so much from this site….can’t wait to try the patina.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 09:32:37 +0000

In reply to Ryan. Ryan, thanks so much for this great tip! And I bet your aluminum bat will out-last my wooden bracelet mandrel.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 09:26:04 +0000

Hi there,

I don’t own a bracelet mandrel but when forming my bracelets I have found using the end of an aluminum baseball bat works great for bracelets. They are pretty cheap to buy, sturdy and you can bang the crap out of it…lol. I thought this tip might help some of your readers. Love your site and tips. Thanks Rena! 🙂

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 16:37:40 +0000

In reply to Joan S. Hi Joan, thanks for asking! The black-handled tin snips shown in this tutorial came from a local home improvement / hardware store. I also have a different pair, actual jeweler's metal shears (they're smaller, lighter weight and more nimble with cutting out shapes); they're the red-handled pair you can see in this tutorial: Metalwork Arrowhead Pendant Tutorial. I got the red-handled shears from an Etsy seller several years ago. You can do Etsy searches (or general online searches) for "jewelers metal shears" to find these and many other kinds of metal cutters. I hope this helps, and I'd love to see what you're making with metal! :)

By: Joan S

Joan S — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 14:49:50 +0000

What is the brand name of your shears/snips?

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 21:14:17 +0000

These are awesome! I didn’t have a mandrel or a big enough bottle to use. Then I found my son’s little league wooden bat and its perfect! 8 inches around at the thickest part and i think it goes down to 5 inches.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:03:53 +0000

In reply to JaneEllen. Thank you, JaneEllen! I recommend 22 or 24 gauge metal for this project.

By: JaneEllen

JaneEllen — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 06:14:16 +0000

Wow I had no idea it was possible to make your own cuff. I’ve seen smaller sheets of metal (what weight is needed?) at Michaels or can get the blank cuff already cut. With coupon that would be affordable for most people.
I love cuffs but have hard time finding one that fits my wrists. I think cuffs are outstanding looking with many outfits. Guess can dress up a cuff with different elements.
If/when I buy a metal sheet will have to have hubs cut it for me, my hands just can’t do it anymore, arthritis and lack of strength. So glad I clicked on your post on 36th Ave party. Appreciate tips on having a business, how to market, etc. Will come back to this so I can read more of business tips.
Happy Fall

By: Nalini

Nalini — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:18:54 +0000

This is lovely Rena! I cannot wait to try this. I need a suggestion on where I can buy blank bracelets. I don;t think I want to invest in a sheet yet.

By: Gloria Mushonga-Roberts

Gloria Mushonga-Roberts — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:52:11 +0000

Love the simplicity of construction and design. This will work back with so many pieces I already have…but we got to come up with a better name or term to describe this style of jewelry. Cuff suggest locked in. locked up, overprotected.

By: sharon

sharon — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:38:58 +0000

I am a fan , love you ideas , what a talent. hope to see more,

By: Judy

Judy — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:32:07 +0000

I love this look, but being new to patina’s I’m looking for a good sealant I can count on. What type of Johnson Wax is best (I see liquid and paste). Or should I wait and invest in the Renaissance Wax as I’ll want something that will last and not turn sticky with repeated use. And do you put this on both sides? Thanks!

By: Leslie Stewart

Leslie Stewart — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 20:04:00 +0000

Love your cuffs! Great tutorial.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:54:56 +0000

The finished rustic look is so cool! Great tutorial.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 20:58:40 +0000

Thank you so much for all your kind words! I hope you have fun with this project and the fab things your patina does to your metalwork!

Tiffany, I’ve had that mandrel for years. I’m sorry that don’t remember where I got it, but I’m sure it was from an online jewelry supplier. You might check for one at any of your favorite suppliers – or even just do an online search.

Or, as I mentioned in the list of supplies, there are a lot of other things you can use as mandrels if you don’t have an “official” one! 🙂

By: Tiffany S.

Tiffany S. — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 18:03:26 +0000

Great tute! Where did you get the mandrel?

By: Holly Lefevre

Holly Lefevre — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 06:16:08 +0000

Oh my…this is so awesome. I cannot wait to make one!

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:27:34 +0000

that’s beautiful – I love the finished cuff!!

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 15:51:21 +0000

SO AMAZING!!!! I want one!! Way to go!

Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

By: Mixed Kreations

Mixed Kreations — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 20:14:27 +0000

Love this cuff. Thanks for the great tips and ideas. Vitamin bottle, I will have to try that. My mandrel is one of those that is large on one end then tapers down to a smaller end, so I don’t use it much, because my bracelets seem to come out a little lop sided even when I keep turning them around. Thanks for sharing your wonderful tutorial.

By: Diann @ The Thrifty Groove

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:50:13 +0000

What a great tutorial! I love them! Thank you for joinining TTF this week. have a fun weekend!

By: Honey

Honey — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:49:04 +0000

Oh, this is stunning! Thank you for sharing your project at Potpourri Friday!

By: JB

JB — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 06:23:07 +0000

This is such a great idea! I’m definitely going to keep this in mind to try out!

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:00:43 +0000

I seriously have to try this!!!

Jan @Door251

By: zoraida

zoraida — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:19:27 +0000

I love these, Rena! You know I love those large, rustic, copper cuffs, especially with a patina.
I’ve probably sold more of this type of bracelet than any other. They look great on men or women.
Great tutorial!

zoraida

By: Maria Hansford

Maria Hansford — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:36:47 +0000

Great tutorial!
Lots of great ideas….like a nice center piece to bead embroidery around!
Thank you Rina

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:08:33 +0000

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cuff. Thank you for putting up a step by step and simply worded tutorial. I can’t wait to make a couple. Going to break out the torch too. Thanks for sharing your ideas and fun.

By: Cyndi L

Cyndi L — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:46:48 +0000

Thanks so much! I’ll be back to “steal” some pictures 😉 And don’t even get me started on torch patinas…the reds and purples…sigh!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:48:30 +0000

Hi Cyndi! Thanks so much – I’d be thrilled to have my tutorial link in Beading Arts. Please feel free to use any of my photos too!

I’ll look forward to seeing what else you’ll be showing in your October metal feature. I love the fascinating colors of torch patinas! 🙂

By: Cyndi L

Cyndi L — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:33:56 +0000

Hi Rena! In October, Beading Arts is going to be featuring metal. May I share a link to your tutorial with my readers? I’ve got a couple of my own tutorials that use this type of patina, plus some that use a torch, and I’d love to show them some other results since each piece ends up looking so unique! Thanks for your consideration!

By: Niki

Niki — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:57:13 +0000

This is great! I am always looking for fun new jewelry ideas, and I am loving cuffs lately too! I’ve never made my own jewelry before but this seems doable for me! I’m going to try it!

By: Thyme

Thyme — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 01:22:04 +0000

Totally love it! And I’m super stoked to make some! Love it love it!
~Thyme

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:32:37 +0000

Hey, that’s a great idea to fill it with sand! I hadn’t thought of that. I did think about the vitamins being removed first, though. 🙂

By: Alicia Rivera

Alicia Rivera — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 19:16:05 +0000

OH. MY. GOSH. A vitamin bottle!! Of course! You’re a genius. OK…you’re at least more clever than me. LOL I’m going to fill my empty vitamin bottle with sand to give it some weight and make it more solid so I can hammer on it.

I can’t wait to try this.