Our Bangle Bracelet Set metalsmithing class in Albuquerque brought students to Meltdown Studio for a hands-on evening of patterning, texturing, bangle forming, and shaping. Using sterling silver, bronze, and copper, students explored how to use patterned dies and the hydraulic press to create dimensional designs, then formed and finished their own bracelet sets. The result was a collection of colorful, individually styled bangles, each with its own combination of patterns and metals.
There’s something satisfying about watching a flat piece of metal become something you can wear. Last week at Meltdown Studio, students got to experience that transformation firsthand. With three different metals on the workbench, the evening was all about experimenting with patterns, shaping metal, and creating a bracelet stack with plenty of personality.
The hydraulic press was one of the stars of the evening. Students gathered around the worktable, choosing dies and learning how to use the press to bring patterns into the metal. It was fun to see everyone take turns, watch the designs emerge, and discover how a simple change in pattern could give each bangle a different look.
Finding the Shape in the Metal
Once the patterns were pressed into the metal, the bangles began to take on their own character. Students moved between the tools and workstations, forming and adjusting their bracelets to create the right shape and fit. There was plenty to focus on, but also time to look around, compare designs, and see what everyone else was making.
One of the things we love about working with three different metals is the contrast they bring. Sterling silver, bronze, and copper each have their own color and warmth. Together, they make a stack that feels coordinated without looking too matched.
A Little Pattern, A Lot of Personality
The finished bracelets were a lovely reminder that everyone approaches a project differently. Some stacks leaned into the contrast between the metals, while others made the repeating wavy shapes the main feature. Worn together, the bangles created a playful layered look. Each student could decide how to wear their set and how to mix it with pieces they already own.
By the end of the class, students were trying on their bracelets and holding their wrists together to show off the results. Seeing the different combinations side by side was one of our favorite moments. The same materials and techniques had led to stacks that felt personal to each maker.
The Joy of Making Something by Hand
A class like this is about more than leaving with new jewelry. It’s about getting comfortable with tools, trying a process you may not have used before, and enjoying the little surprises along the way. The hydraulic press makes a big impression, but the real fun is in all the decisions that follow: choosing a pattern, shaping the metal, refining the fit, and deciding when a piece feels finished.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this Bangle Bracelet Set class and brought your creativity to the workbench. We loved seeing your finished stacks and the different ways you made the project your own!
Keep Creating at Meltdown Studio
Explore our upcoming jewelry making classes in Albuquerque or discover more special event classes at Meltdown Studio.
Ready to make something of your own? We’d love to have you join us at the bench!
