BEAD GROOVE BANGLE

Welcome to September! Time to pick up those pliers!
If you're feeling a bit rusty after the long summer break,
I've put together a simple bangle project that should get
your fingers back into creative action!

All you will need is some 0.4mm and 0.8mm wire,
plus a selection of beads ...

To determine the length of 0.8mm wire to cut, measure your wrist for
size, plus add on about an inch and then double that amount and that
is your measurement to cut. I cut approximately 16" to 17" for my
bangles.

STEP 1

Bend the wire in half, placing the centre around your bail making
pliers (or round nosed pliers). Using the tips of your chain nosed
pliers, pinch the wire where it meets into a circle.

STEP 2

Straighten out the rest of the doubled wire extending from the circle,
so that it runs parallel. Place the circular wire end on your steel block
and only hammer the circle, to work harden it.

STEP 3

Cut a short piece of 0.4mm wire and use this to bind just by the
circle.  Cut off any ends and neaten.

STEP 4

Go to the opposite end of your doubled wire and repeat this binding,
approximately 1" (2.5cm) away from the ends of both wires.

STEP 5

Place the wires around a circular mandrel (a rolling pin will do)
and shape the bangle into a circle frame.

STEP 6

Thread the ends of the wire through the circle and using your
round nosed pliers, curl the cut ends into a link to secure around
the hammered circular end.

STEP 7

If the frame has distorted in shape, just place it around a circular
mandrel again to re-shape and adjust.  Your bangle frame is now
ready for beading ...

STEP 8

Spread the wires apart on the frame (opposite the linked end) and
bind one side with 0.4mm wire.  (I cut about 10" of 0.4mm and
secured it at the centre, so that I could connect my beads within
the aperture opening).

STEP 9

Start by securing your largest bead at the centre of the bangle
and bind the top and bottom wire to secure. Keep adding and
binding in more of your chosen beads of reduced sizes to each side.

STEP 10

Once you've wired in all your selected beads. Cut off any excess
binding wire and neaten all the ends.

STEP 11

Finally, for extra decoration and weight, use some 0.4mm wire to
bind in one more bead that fits into the hammered circle at the
opposite end.

These bangles can be made with assorted beads in a variety of
colours.

On a smaller scale, you can also use the same technique, to create
large bead hoop earrings!

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BEADING!