Instructions of Making Silver Bracelets

The possibilities are endless once you have mastered the technique for making this easy stamped silver cuff bracelet. Using only a few simple tools, turn a plain piece of sterling silver sheet metal into a stunning bracelet that will wow your friends.

1 Purchase (or cut) a piece of 18 gauge sterling silver sheet metal ¾ inches wide by seven (7) inches long.
2 File the edges of the metal until they are very smooth.
3 Place the sheet metal on a steel block. Using a ball pein hammer, stamp the letters with your design or message on the bracelet.
4 Form over mandrel.Form over bracelet mandrel using a plastic or raw hide mallet until you like the shape and it looks and feels like a bracelet. Using a plastic or raw hide mallet prevents you from marring the metal.
5 Hammer edge.Using the ball end of a ball pein hammer (or a bordering hammer), hammer the top edge of the bracelet to texture and thicken the metal. In addition to adding a nice decorative detail to your bracelet, hammering the edges of the bracelet will "harden" the metal so that it will not lose shape when worn.
6Hammer & finish.Turn the bracelet over and repeat for the bottom edge. File again to smooth, if needed. Reshape over mandrel, if needed.