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Overview
Does your inner jewelry diva cry out for the chance to show professional bracelet designers a thing or two about how to make a stylish silicone bracelet? All it takes is the desire and the work space and you'll be up and running. As most hobbyists will confirm, getting started is the hardest part. Once you carve out a corner of your world to get your creative enterprise in gear, your creative talent will take over and before you know it, you'll be turning out fashionable custom gifts for friends and family. Start with some inspiration, a mold and the right raw materials and your silicone bracelet-making journey will be well on the way. -
Establish a Crafting Corner
Step 1
Establish a crafting area. Pay particular attention to the amount of available light, either artificial or natural, that illuminates the area. You will also need adequate ventilation because, once you get started, you will likely be spending plenty of time working on your creations.
Step 2
Install a work bench on which your projects can be completed. A gardening bench is an ideal choice because they are inexpensive, sturdy and offer great storage capacity for your materials. Sheets of pegboard mounted behind the workbench offer hanging capacity for work tools secured to the backing by S-hooks.
Step 3
Stock your work area with rags, protective gear, acetone, apron and supplies.
How to Make a Basic Bracelet
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Step 1
Purchase a basic bracelet mold from your favorite craft store or check the link at the end of the article for help. These are relatively inexpensive and can be used repeatedly, so they are well worth the initial investment. -
Step 2
Don a dust mask and make sure the area in which you are making the bracelets is well ventilated. You'll be working with a medium that has a very unpleasant odor. It's sticky, too, so you will want to wear rubber gloves. -
Step 3
Read the directions on the package of the silicone modeling mix . Make certain the product includes the hardener (also called catalyst) required to bond the raw materials together. -
Step 4
Pour a layer of the prepared silicone modeling mix into the mold and allow it to harden per package instructions. When the silicone is hard, peel off the mold. That's all you need to do to make clear, embellishment-free bracelets.
Unique Bracelets
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Step 1
To fashion bangles with clusters of faux gems and/or adornments scattered across the top of the bracelet, place the trim into the mold first, then pour silicone modeling mix over the trim. Tap lightly on a table to discourage bubbles that may have formed around the adornments. Allow the bauble to harden before peeling off the mold. -
Step 2
Challenge yourself to make a bracelet with "floating elements" by sandwiching them between 2 layers of pourable silicone modeling mix. Pour the first layer into the mold and let it settle for half an hour. Carefully add adornments. Slide a second layer of resin over them and fill the mold to the top. The middle layer of stones or embellishments will "float" inside the bracelet. -
Step 3
Design a bracelet resembling a rainbow of layers by dyeing small batches of prepared silicone modeling mix, then layer them in, one color at a time. Each time you add a color, tap the mold, then give that color time to settle in so the color lines are crisp and clear. Repeat color layers until the bracelet mold is filled. Allow to set, then remove the bracelet after it has hardened.
- Skill: Moderately Easy
- Ingredients:
- Bracelet mold(s)
- Silicone modeling mix
- Catalyst
- Rubber gloves and face mask
- Acetone (for clean up)
- Faux gems and embellishments (optional)
- Paint (optional)
- Work bench
- Pegboard and S-hooks (optional)
- Tip: If you are designing a bracelet with embedded elements, immerse them into the catalyzed silicone mixture face down to avoid air bubbles forming around them.
- Tip: Always use protective eye wear and plastic disposable gloves to protect your skin and eyes while you are preparing and pouring batches of silicone modeling mix.
- Tip: Keep acetone handy for spills and clean-ups.
- Tip: For faster drying results, use a gel promoter to set the silicone materials in a matter of minutes.
- Warning:
- Silicone modeling mix compounds and catalysts have finite shelf lives, so keep raw materials in a cool location and use within the recommended time listed on packages.
- Unless you're producing massive quantities of bracelets, buy small quantities of silicone mix to maintain freshness.
