The Same but Better
- Isabel White
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Bangle Remake
Craig got in touch to commission a bangle. He has a few pieces made by me already, the rope bangle and thick link bracelet, but said they're too nice to wear to work.
Could I remake a textured bangle he wears to work, that doesn't show scratches when it get dinked. He requested the bangle be rounded, textured and the same size as the one he'd sent me.
'And can you make it thicker and with balls on the end. The rest is up to you Isa'.
Hand Fabricating the Bangle
Now I have to say I've not made something like this, in this way before.
I've done hand fabrication pendants and bracelets but nothing working with solid silver rod.
I calculated the length I would need and bought 20cm of 6.5mm thick rod.
After texturising the rod on anything interesting I could find, ie, the concrete outside, the teeth of the vice and the wrong side of my favourite hammer, I moved onto shaping it.
It was purchased hardened so I needed to heat it to be able to bend it.
I underestimated just how strong silver rod at that thickness was.
I also underestimated how hot is would be that day and wore jeans in the workshop. Lots of sweat went into shaping it. However no blood or tears so a successful day.
Assembly and Polishing
I had chosen to use offcuts from the rod to melt into balls and reattach.
It had occurred to me that they didn't need cutting off; that I could melt the ends whilst still attached. However, due to a vey specific size being needed, I wasn't 100% sure I could control the melting, so opted to create the balls away from the body of the bangle.
Silver is just too pricey to experiment with, maybe next time!
Once it had been soldered together, I double checked the size against the original bangle.
Then got to polishing
As always, the item is fine sanded and then oxidised (turned black) before polishing.
This means that all recesses and detailing stand out after polishing.
The first polish is with Tripoli, an abrasive compound. I went easy with this so as not to lose the purposeful dinks I spent ages putting into it.
The second and final polish is with Rouge, which produces that lovely mirror shine.
Process Video
All techniques are documented in a start to finish reel below
I have to say, I was chuffed to bits with how this came out. Especially as initially I wasn't sure if this was the job for me. To make something scratched up and asymmetrical is the opposite of my usual style. It's definitely added to my arsenal.
Thanks for this commission Craig, great fun to make :)
And if you'd like to get in touch contact me via the services page or email me;
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