Deluxe Duplex Bracelet 1

This jewelry making project is a more advanced version of the duplex bracelet that we described elsewhere.  This bracelet design may be the most popular bracelet design on our site. 

This project is more difficult to make than the Duplex Bracelet because the two wrapped bead links are so close together and there is limited space to complete the two wraps.  For that reason, this is an advanced beginner's project. 

The bracelets shown above are made with 25 inches of 16 gauge or 18 gauge round wire to make the duplex wire components and the 2:1 connectors on either end and another 25 inches of 20 or 22 gauge wire to make the wrapped bead links.  For this bracelet soft wire will work, but 1/2 hard wire is preferred as it makes the wire components in a more consistent shape.  The bracelet uses twelve 6mm beads.  The bracelet is finished with a commercial clasp and sometimes with a figure 8 connector or modified figure 8 connector to connect the commercial clasp to the 2:1 connector.  Should you chose to use a magnetic clasp, then a guard chain about 2 1/2 inches long would also be recommended. 

In the following sections, we will provide step-by-step instructions for making these bracelets.  Allow about 2 hours to make one bracelet. 

Step-by-Step Jewelry Making Instructions:

Step 1:  We begin this project by making the middle component shown above.  For these instructions we call this component the duplex component.  Start by cutting a 3 inch segment of 18 gauge wire.  Then make a loop in the end of the wire.

Step 2:  Straighten this wire by pulling it through the jaws of your nylon jaw pliers.

Step 3:  Position three metal pegs in your jig as shown below left and place the loop you made in step 1 on the lower, left peg.

Step 4:  Wrap the wire around peg 2 as shown.

Step 5:  Remove the wire from the jig and reposition it on your jig in the mirror image position as shown below, right.  This is done because it makes the finished wire component flatter. 

Step 6:  Now wrap the wire around peg two.

Step 7:  Add two metal pegs to your jig as shown and remove the wire from your jig, replacing it in the mirror image position. 

Step 8:  Wrap the wire around peg 4.

Step 9:  Remove the wire from your jig and replace it in the mirror image position.

Step 10:  Wrap the wire around peg 4.

Step 6	Step 7	Step 8	Step 9	Step 10

Step 12:  Remove the wire from the jig and cut the excess wire with the flat side of your flush cutters toward the finished piece.  Close the final loop made around peg 6 with your bent chain nose pliers.  Your duplex wire component should now appear as shown at right.  Make five of these duplex wire components for your bracelet.

Step 11	Finished Duplex Component

Step 14:  Straighten this wire segment by pulling through the jaws of your step jaw pliers

Step 15:  Now position two metal pegs in your jig and place the initial loop over the lower, right most peg as shown at right. 

Step 16:  Now wrap the wire around peg 8 as shown at right

Step 15	Step 16

Step 17:  Wrap the wire around peg 9 as shown below left.

Step 18:  Remove the wire from the jig and cut the excess wire.  Close the final loop that you made around peg 9 with your bent chain nose pliers.  The finished wire component should appear as shown below.  Make two of these end wire components.

Steps 17	Finished End Wire Component

Step 19:  Now position all five duplex wire components so that they are oriented in the same direction and same orientation.  You will want to retain this orientation as you work, as shown in the finished bracelet above.  At this point we need to begin connecting the duplex wire components using the wrapped bead link.  Connect the first two components as shown at right.  It is very important that you check the orientation of the pieces as you work, to retain the original orientation.  Do this before you wrap the second loop in the wrapped bead link closed.  If you aren't comfortable making the wrapped bead link, then this project is not for you.  This is not a beginners project.

Step 20:  Now the hard part begins.  We need to connect the top two loops in the duplex wire components.  Commence making the wrapped bead link.  After the first loop is wrapped closed, add the bead and begin making the second loop.  When in the position shown at right, cut the excess wire at the end to a length of 1/2 inch.  For a right handed person, you will need to make the second loop in the wrapped bead link with your round nose pliers oriented so that the handle is down in the picture at right and the tips are up.  This will result in a loop where the wire tail is on top just as show the picture at right.  This will make it much easier to wrap this loop closed.  Now connect this loop to the loop in the duplex wire component, making sure that you preserve the orientation of the two pieces.  This requires some thought.  Once you have the two pieces connected and properly aligned, begin wrapping the loop closed.  Use two bent chain nose pliers to complete this wrap.  One to hold the loop and once the wire tail begins to get short, use the other bent chain nose pliers to push the wire.  Complete that wrap.  Step 19 Step 20

Step 21:  Repeat steps 19 and 20 to connect all five duplex wire components. 

Step 22:  Now we need to connect the 2:1 end link to the duplex wire components on either end.  The process for connecting these two end links is exactly the same as the process for connecting two duplex wire components described in steps 19 and 20. 

Step 23:  At this point we are ready to add the clasp.  A medium size lobster claw clasp is a good choice for a clasp.  You can also use a magnetic clasp.  With a lobster claw clasp, connect that clasp to one of the end loops in the 2:1 end wire component using a medium jump ring or a figure 8 connector and you are done.  With a magnetic clasp, you will need to use a figure 8 connector to connect each side of the magnetic clasp to the end loop.  As discussed earlier, if you choose a magnetic clasp, you will also need a guard chain made of 2 1/2 inches of fine commercial chain.  See the completed bracelet below. 

Alternative Designs-- Deluxe Triplex Bracelet

If you like the Deluxe Duplex Bracelet and want to expand on this concept, you can make a Deluxe Triplex Bracelet shown below-left and center.  Just as the Deluxe Duplex was not a beginner's project, this project is also something for a more experienced wire worker.  The approach to making this bracelet is exactly the same as for the Deluxe Duplex with one additional layer of wrapped bead links.  Five triplex wire components are required, using the peg pattern shown below-right.  You will need 6 inches of wire to make each of the five triplex wire components. 

Sapphire Bracelet	Violet Bracelet	Peg Pattern

You can use the pattern for the three layer 3:1 end wire component shown above-right, our you can use the 2:1 end wire component from the duplex bracelet.  If you choose to use the 2:1 end wire component, connect to that component from the top and bottom loops of the triplex wire component, leaving the center loop empty. 

Assembly of the bracelet is done using the same steps as you used with the Deluxe Duplex Bracelet, adding only the additional step of connecting the middle loops in the triplex wire component. 

Allow about 2 1/2 hours to make one bracelet.  This is a lot of time, but the results should be worth it.

If you like the Deluxe Duplex Bracelet and want to expand on this concept, you can make a Deluxe Triplex Bracelet.  Just as the Deluxe Duplex was not a beginner's project, this project is also something for a more experienced wire worker.  The approach to making this bracelet is similar to the bracelet discussed above.  Allow about 3 hours to make one bracelet - the results will be worth it.