[Jewelry making - Article 00362] - Re: [Orchid] Trouble shaping cuffs

[bericho1]

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    Sue, I learned to shape cuffs using a baseball bat (if you get one,
    be sure it is a hardwood bat).  I was taught to always shape the ends
    first .  If you do this, the middle automatically stays flat and it
    is then it is your choice whether to continue molding it to a round
    shape or spruce it up a bit and remain with the oval shape - your
    personal choice for comfort in wearing.  If the cuff is narrow, a
    nice round cuff which fits fairly snugly is very comfortable.  Wider
    bands, I tend to like in the oval shape as they rest more comfortably
    on the wrist when your arm lies on a flat surface. 

    I made quite a few cuffs before I was entirely comfortable with the
    process but I think you have found that most everyone starts with the
    ends first. I generally make mine a tad loose to start with and then
    gently mold it to my wrist which also tends to somewhat work harden
    the piece to the right tension for putting on and off. 

    The baseball bat mandrel is relatively cheap, and has sizes for
    everyone - just measure the diameter and mark and you have an
    infinite array of sizes. The smaller end of the bat when cut off
    makes a nice large mushroom dop for other uses, similar to a carriage
    bolt but somewhat larger. 

Good luck.
Kay




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