Bracelets have always been my favourite type of jewellery but I realised with a shock that I rarely make them. This tutorial shows the different steps on how to make a cuff out of polymer clay. It also shows how to make the bracelet blank and shows how the soft-in-soft polymer clay technique works as used for the pattern on the outside.

Materials

• Scrap clay (approximately the same amount as a small block of clay)
• Green clay - 1 small block
• Orange/ terracotta clay – 1 small block
• Baking paper
• Latex gloves
• Wet/dry sandpaper (600, 800, 1000 and 1200 grit)
• Liquid clay

Tools and equipment

• Stiff blade
• Roller
• Scalpel
• Sheet of glass
• Oven
• Pasta machine
• Heat proof bracelet mandrel
• Paper glue
• Metal ruler
• Tea spoon
• Small round cookie cutters - the smaller the better, mine has a diameter of about 8mm (.3inches)
• Buffer

*You can either shape and solder your own or use a food tin as a mandrel. Make sure that it is a bit larger than your hand.

Method

The method for making the bracelet consists of three steps:

1. Making the base layer (blank)
2. Doing the design layer (outside)
3. Adding the inside layer

Condition the scrap clay and roll it out on the thickest setting of your pasta machine. Take the metal ruler and cut the clay [image 1]. My metal ruler is approximately 2.5 cm (1inch) broad and for me that is a pretty good width for a bracelet. Position the ruler on the clay and cut a strip. Cut some baking paper and wrap the baking paper around the mandrel. This will make it easier to take the baked shape off after baking the piece.

Put the clay strip around the mandrel. Make sure the edge of the lay is even to the bottom of your mandrel. Cut the beginning of the strip at a 45 degree angle. When you’ve formed the clay around the mandrel cut the end at a 45 degree angle [image 2]. Smooth the join [image 3].

Bake according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Condition the orange and the green clay while you wait.

I prefer taking the clay off the mandrel while it is still a bit warm. It’s easier for me. Put the base aside.

Run the green clay through your pasta machine on the thickest setting. Trim it to size - about 2.5 (1 inch) high and 27 centimetres wide [image 4]. Check the piece on the base to be sure that you don’t cut it too small.

Roll out the orange clay. Run it through your pasta machine at the thinnest setting you can manage. Cut the sheet to about the same height as your bracelet and approximately 10 centimetres (2 inches) across.  Cut 7 thin slices from your clay [image 5]. This will form the base of the stems on the design. Place them at about 3 centimetres (1.2inches) apart on the green clay [image 6]. The placing of the stems is dependent on your design. The outer diameter of my bracelet is about 24 centimetres (10.2 inches).  Leave extra space on either side of the green sheet. We will join the design in the middle of a green bit. The design will stretch a bit in the next step.

Use the cookie cutter and cut out 21 circles for the pods on the design.  

Cut 2 pieces of baking paper large than your clay strip. Place the green clay on the baking paper. Place the circles next to each stem. I placed two on the left and one on the right of each stem [image 7]; when you’re happy with the design place the other baking sheet on top of the sheet [image 8]. Use your fingers and/or the spoon to smooth the orange clay into the green. Be sure to pull off the baking paper on the top and the bottom every now and again. The clay will stick to the baking sheet because of the pressure you’re applying.

Check the front of the clay to make sure that the inlay is smooth [image 9]. You can also run the clay with the baking paper sheets through the thickest setting of your pasta machine [image 10]. This will ensure that the clay sheet has a uniform thickness.  

Apply a little bit of liquid clay onto the back of the design and smooth it around the base. This is a good time to be wearing latex gloves to prevent fingerprints. Press the clay against the base to be sure that it adheres properly [image 11].  Image 12 shows a close-up of the endpoint of the clay, just before you cut it short to smooth the join. Smooth the join.

Image 13 shows the rounded edge of the outer clay sheet. Use your stiff blade to cut the edges of the bracelet even and smooth the clay around the rim of the base [image 14].

Put it in the oven and bake according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wait for it to cool for the next step.

The design for the bracelet is basically done now. Next step is to add the inner layer of the bracelet. Roll out the orange clay and trim to the right size. Cut a 45 degree angle out of the left side of the clay. This is the side you will start placing on the inside of the bracelet.

Spread some liquid clay on the inside of the bracelet. I usually roll the clay sheet very loosely and then place and press the edge against inside of the bracelet [image 15]. Go around the bracelet until you reach the starting point. Cut the edge at a 45degree angle and smooth the clay. Use your finger with glove and press the edges of the inside layer against the bracelet [image 16]. Trim the excess clay and smooth the join between the unbaked and baked clay. Keep it as even as you can.

Pop it in the oven and bake according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions.

The bracelet is basically done. Wait for it to cool down properly. Next step is to sand it.

I wet sand it starting with 600 grit and work my way up to 1200. Then I buffed it with my Dremel.