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Hammered Chain Bracelet

Learn how to turn a length of wire into a beautiful chain bracelet

About the Class

 This class will guide you from never having soldered before to creating a beautiful silver chain bracelet — or perhaps even a necklace if you find yourself getting carried away!  

Making a chain was one of the very first jewellery projects I completed after learning to solder, and it taught me so many of the techniques that I still use every day in my own work and classes. It’s a wonderful project for building confidence because it gives you plenty of practice with soldering while creating something elegant and wearable at the same time.

In the class, I’ll show you how to turn sterling silver wire into neat, consistent jump rings before soldering them into a finished chain bracelet. Along the way, you’ll learn how to texture the links for extra sparkle and character, and I’ll also teach you how to make a matching handmade clasp to complete the piece beautifully.  This is a lovely beginner-friendly project that helps you practise essential soldering skills while creating jewellery you’ll genuinely enjoy wearing.

The Hammered Chain Bracelet class is part of the Jeweller's Bench Membership - click here for more details.

If you need any extra help as you work your way through the classes do join us over on The Jeweller's Bench Café group over on Facebook - the perfect place to ask for advice and to show off what you've been making.

You will need:

Materials:
1.2mm to 1.5mm diameter round sterling silver wire. 1.2mm sterling silver round wire used in the class example. Wire down to 1mm can be used but smaller links would then be needed for the design to keep the links strong.

Equipment: (all the jewellery making kit listed here can be used for many different projects)
* Soldering kit - see here for more details
* Mandrels such as knitting needles or wooden dowel (I used 12mm & approximately 8-10mm)
* Jeweller's saw and saw blade
* Bench peg
* Hammers for texturing
* Steel bench block and leather cushion (or folded tea towel!)
* Needle files (small files) and fine emery paper
* Flat nosed pliers, round nosed pliers and wire cutters
* Masking tape
* For polishing - a tumble polisher or elbow grease and a silver polishing cloth.

An explanation of all the tools and materials that you need is included in the videos, and a downloadable equipment and materials list is available with the class.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the same materials in stock that I have used in the class example, or hammers that give the same textures – experiment with what you have available. Beautiful chains can be made with a mix of wire gauges left over from other projects. Above all, have fun!

1 hour 26 minutes long, 18 lessons


Reviews

Course Curriculum

"This  is a great class!  I have enjoyed watching all of Joanne's  classes, and applying the techniques to my metal smithing. I look forward to  what is next..."
Jan N.
"Brilliant  tutorial. I am a beginner to silversmithing and was able to follow all the steps. Joanne explained the processes in an easy to understand way.  Looking forward to watching more of Joanne's tutorials."
Lisa W.
"Fantastic teacher! Step by step detailed instructions. Thank you Joanne."
Julie T.

Joanne Tinley

Tutor and Founder of The Jeweller's Bench

The Jeweller's Bench is run by Joanne Tinley. She has been making her own jewellery for as long as she can remember and left her first career as a school teacher to set up business as a  jewellery designer and tutor nearly 20 years ago. She is self-taught and like many people started with wire and beads. Learning how to solder, however, opened up a whole new world of jewellery making,  one that she is keen to share!

Legal Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to show safe working practices and to discuss health and safety aspects of jewellery making, but in the end I cannot take responsibility for how the tutorial information is used and how safely you work. Take the effort to set up your work area safely right from the start!
All Rights Reserved. No part of this course may be reproduced or shared without express, written consent from the author.

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