Favorite Textured Metal Bracelet Projects Designed by Bill Fretz

✓Let the Interweave Knits Winter 2024 issue transport you to a winter wonderland of cozy knits! This remarkable edition features 14 extraordinary projects to immerse yourself in the uniqueness of specially crafted yarns.

Metal bangles and cuffs are easy to wear, and it’s so much fun to combine different metals, textures, and scales. Plus, you can learn a lot of amazing metalsmithing techniques by making them! Bill Fretz is a talented jewelry artist and jewelry tool designer who creates deliciously textured bracelets. Interweave has put together a project collection with some of our favorite Bill Fretz projects. Each of these textured metal bracelet projects is available on its own, or as part of the collection.

Fluting a Pure Silver Cuff

Bill uses traditional techniques and special tools to create this modern yet timeless cuff. With Bill’s Fluting a Pure Silver Cuff project, you will learn more about the art of fluting in metalsmithing, with plenty of interesting information. Use 18-gauge pure silver and hard silver solder to make this cuff. The cuff takes shape with fluting techniques and hammering, resulting in a lovely texture that is easy on the eyes.

Handwrought Brass Bangle

Brass is an underrated material in my opinion. If you are like me and cannot get enough of brass, this project is for you. Bill Fretz’s Handwrought Brass Bangle is made using 18-gauge brass sheets. Opposing curves create interest in this unordinary bangle, and you can even craft a necklace using similar techniques. When sketching out a shaped design like this, Bill recommends drawing it out on paper. By doing this, you can create several models and choose your favorite.

Fluted Silver Cuff

Bill makes use of metal’s plasticity in the Fluted Silver Cuff. This design uses progressive stakes in order to create the bracelet’s wave-like pattern. Sterling silver is the metal of choice for this project and this metal has an interesting reflective surface when complete. The bracelet also has hammered texutre throughout, adding another layer of interest to the project.

Domed Fluted Bangle

Practice your metalsmithing skills with Bill’s Domed Flute Bangle. This is not your ordinary bangle, with a unique shape that is reminiscent of a seashell. Your soldering, metal forming, and finishing techniques will be advanced through this project. Cartridge brass makes up the bracelet’s body, with texture made by fluting and hammering. This cuff will become one of your go-to accessories.

Hammer Formed Fine Silver Bangles

Create a set of Hammer Formed Fine Silver Bangles. Flat fine silver sheets are transformed into shining bangles in as little as 30 minutes. Customize this project by choosing a width that works for you and your favorite texturing hammers. Bangles are normally worn in multiples, so make a variety using different texturing hammers. Before beginning this project, Bill encourages you to make a copper prototype. This ensures that you know exactly what to do when it comes time to use a more expensive material.

Decorate your wrists with some of Bill Fretz’s beautiful textured bracelet projects. This collection has something for everyone to enjoy, and each project includes useful information that can be used for not only these projects, but for other future projects.

Bracelets and More from Bill Fretz