[Jewelry making - Article 00347] - Re: [Orchid] Trouble shaping cuffs

[Katherine Palochak]

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    Your mandrel needs to be mounted, either in a vise (sideways) or by
    shaping a board with a tang to be inserted into the hollow middle
    (the board is screwed down). It is much easier to form the metal if
    you're not having to also support the mandrel with your hands. Start
    with the ends of the metal first, shaping the curve first on one end,
    then the other. Use a large rawhide or wooden mallet to tap the end
    of the metal against the mandrel, while you use your other hand to
    hold the metal in place. The middle will be straight, with two curved
    ends. Start with the small end of the mandrel, as the ends will
    spread as you bend the middle, to match the correct circumference.
    Next start shaping the middle by tapping it around the mandrel,
    beginning with the small end of the mandrel, and gradually sliding it
    down the mandrel to the finished size you need. On non-tapered
    cuffs, usually those that are 1" and smaller in size, reverse the
    direction of the bracelet frequently, turning the top edge to the
    bottom, and the bottom to the top.This is accomplished by sliding the
    cuff off the mandrel and rotating it 180 degrees. On larger cuff
    widths, you don't usually do this because you want that taper to
    follow the taper of the forearm. If your ends spread too much, you
    can reform them on the small end of the mandrel again. Cuff bracelets
    are generally formed on an oval mandrel, while bangles are formed on
    a round mandrel. 



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