How long does it take to make a bangle?
This is a question I am often asked and as today I have been making some, it gave me a great opportunity to write this recipe for you!
- Order the silver (5 mins)
- Cut silver to length (5 mins)
- Find, print, complete form for assay office for hallmarking, weigh silver and parcel it up (15mins)
- Post office run (on a good day 10 mins, when there's a queue on market day 25mins)
- Check hallmarking (2 mins)
- Form silver in to a bangle shape, file and math ends ready for soldering (5 mins)
- Solder the joint (5 mins)
- Splash in water, soak in pickle, splash in water and inspect solder joint (15 mins)
- File, sand and finish solder joint (5 mins)
- Polish in tumbler (1hr at least)
- Wash, inspect, rub with polishing cloth, inspect and wrap (15 mins)
- Post Office run to customer (see above for post office times! 20 mins)
- Drink coffee and feel happy - endless minutes!
Obviously this is just a rough guide, when I add charms (particularly gemstone ones), then there is a lot more finishing to do and another polish once the stone is set. I love making bangles, it is so satisfying to watch them appear from just a straight piece of wire and the opportunities for adding charms is just endless. I also love the bangles which are wavy and which have the twist in them. Do you have a favourite?
September 2021
