Challenge cuff completed, although future design alterations are in the works

I finally finished my cuff for this wondeful challenge! In the future, I would use heavier wire for the frame, but it is wearable as is. After shaping the focal piece to curve to my wrist instead of lying flat, the bracelet fit much better. I am still toying with the idea of adding a few more "tendrilly" elements, but I am leaving it as is for now.

Cuff Challenge -- a whole new idea -- Alexander and April inspired

I ran out of the wire needed to finish my original cuff design, and had really wanted to do something in copper and carnelian to start with, so began the planning of a new cuff design.

I have gotten back into my miniature colored pencil paintings on shrink plastic again, so I have been tearing boxes apart at our new house trying to find the box with the computer discs full of my photos.

I wanted something with warm fall colors in it, and sadly, had lost most of those photos with a computer meltdown a few years back, but I did finally find a suitable photograph. I won a few awards with this photo a few years back, but it has been out of mind since.

So, I did a small painting, baked it to shrink it, then baked it again to soften the edges, intensify the colors and seal the back, plus add shine.

Then I sketched out the bracelet design. I wanted it to incorporate the focal, plus be "tendrilly."

This is the design I came up with, and the focal piece.

Hammered bronze and sterling cuff -- day 1 -- Dawn E. Bryant

Okay, after being sidetracked by sick kids, sick hubby, sewer backups in the basement and the death of a good friend, I am finally getting started on my own cuff for this challenge. Since I love all things two-toned (gold and silver) I decided to go with bronze (for affordability) and sterling. I have formed the cuff frame and hammered it for texture. I have also made interior components out of hammered bronze, although there will be a few changes to those components. The frame and components will be held together with sterling fine gauge wire. The biggest decision for me will be whether or not to add beads. For now, no. So, off t take kids to swimming lessons, work on a beaded cabochon project and do some more work on this cuff. No rest for the weary, LOL.

Dawn E. Bryant