The making of cuff bracelets

Jewelry Discussion
1

I would appreciate people commenting on cuff bracelets and how to
make them fit. I have never liked wearing them myself because the
feel uncomfortable to me, but I have found that I enjoy making them.
One of my books says that if you can’t make them custom to fit a
particular person, then make them 6 inches long with a 1 inch
opening. Will that fit most people? I’d like to make more before my
next show, but I am insecure. I have made them 6 inches with 1 inch
opening. They one inch fits me fair, but the wider one doesn’t seem
to fit that well.

Also, will patina stay on a cuff bracelet (on the surface) or do
they get too much wear?

Thanks
J.S. Ellington

2

My suggestion would be to also look at other cuff bracelets that fit
you well and copy the inner shape. The inside of the bracelet should
be oval like the natural shape of the wrist. I hope this helps.

Reba.

3 
    I would appreciate people commenting on cuff bracelets and how
to make them fit. I have never liked wearing them myself because
the feel uncomfortable to me, but I have found that I enjoy making
them. One of my books says that if you can't make them custom to
fit a particular person, then make them 6 inches long with a 1 inch
opening. Will that fit most people?

IMHO that would be a little large. The “statistics” say the average
(woman’s) wrist is 6 inches in circumference. That would be a 5 inch
bracelet with a 1 inch opening. I make mine 5 1/2 " (to fit my
wrist). Unlike a bangle, it needs to be a reasonably snug fit, or
else it will tend to try to slide around and end up with the opening
on top after awhile. Unfortunately, that means that you tend to need
a custom fit. Epecially since peoples’ wrists are not all the same
shape. Some are oval, yes. But some are quite cylindrical, and some
(like mine) are pretty flat both top and bottom.

HTH
Margaret

4

I also make silver cuff bracelets. However I build in several
sizes because I don’t believe one size fits all. Wrist opening is
usually just over an inch. Sizes I build are tiny, size 5 to large
about 6 1/2. Most often the blanks are textured with the rolling
mill. The final assembly adds a fused glass cab that has been cold
worked.

Bracelets can be a lot of work especially soldering, just a lot of
material. Somehow they are one of my favorite items to build and
people love them.

jerry