Adding Safety Chain to a Wire Wrapped Bracelet

This step by step tutorial was written to add safety chain to my Swarovski style bracelet, but can easily be adapted to many styles of bracelets. The techniques shown in this tutorial work for any bangle where the ends are wrapped, with or without a clasp. Techniques show are for adding the chain only; it doesn't cover creating the entire bracelet. This tutorial assumes you have the Swarovski Crystal Bracelet tutorial, or know how to make this style. The tutorial for the Swarovski Crystal Bracelet tutorial can be found in my shop My Wired Imagination.

Materials suggested:
1 ½ inch scrap wire 14 to 16 gauge
Or a 14 to 16 gauge nail
2 inches thin chain, any style but box chain.
2 - 5 or 6mm jump rings
1 small clasp of your choice

Tools needed:
Ruler
Cleaning cloth
Chain nose pliers
Flush wire cutters
This step by step tutorial was written to add safety chain to my Swarovski style bracelet, but can easily be adapted to many styles of bracelets. The techniques shown in this tutorial work for any bangle where the ends are wrapped, with or without a clasp. Techniques show are for adding the chain only; it doesn't cover creating the entire bracelet. This tutorial assumes you have the Swarovski Crystal Bracelet tutorial, or know how to make this style. The tutorial for the Swarovski Crystal Bracelet tutorial can be found in my shop My Wired Imagination.

We'll start with adding chain to the beginning of making your bracelet. It can also be added to a completed bracelet. (We'll cover that in a bit)

After you have placed 2 wraps on the bracelet end, take the scrap piece of wire and hold it parallel to the side of the bracelet, under the wrap wire. Note: If you don't have a heavy gauge piece of wire, you can use a smaller gauge folded in half.

Make one full wrap over the scrap wire and the rest of the bundle.

Remove the scrap wire and finish wrapping the end of the bracelet. The scrap wire has left a loop to fasten to.

You'll finish your bracelet and wrap the opposite end in the same fashion. Pay close attention that both loops are on the same side of the bracelet, so the chain doesn't cross under the clasp when fastened.

If you're adding chain to a previously finished bracelet, carefully remove the existing end wraps. (It's not scrap - it's potential Old-Fashioned Chain :)

Place 2 full wraps, and line up your scrap wire or nail as shown in step 1.

Wrap over the nail the same as in Step 2.

Remove the nail, and finish the wrapping as in Step 3.

Open one of the jump rings, attach it one of the loops and close it.

With your chosen clasp on one end of the chain, open the other jump ring and attach it to the free end of the chain.

Attach the jump ring with chain and clasp to the other loop formed on the other end of the bracelet.

Congratulations – You’ve added a professional looking safety chain to your bracelet. Even if you don’t actually need the extra security, the safety chain adds an extra little touch of class.


I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial.

You may use this design to make jewelry for sale ~ If you do, please link back to www:Imaginations-Jewelry.com or My Wired Imagination.blogspot.com
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at custservice@imaginations-jewelry.com

© 2009 Bobbi Maw http://MyWiredImagination.etsy.com
http://Imaginations-Jewelry.com
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