The Mystery of How Wooden Bangles Are Made

Bangle bracelets are a timeless piece of jewelry. If you look at the inventory of lists from archeological digs as well as the displays in the various museums, when you look at the displays of the jewelry found and almost always find bangle bracelets among the contents. While bangle bracelets serve as fashion statements in today's world, in the days gone by they served many more purposes; everything from a sign of marriage to a form of recognition for various tribes and families.

While bangle bracelets can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, shell, stone, copper and even fired ceramic, the wooden bangle has become one of the most popular styles because of the artistic freedom it can present. Many of the by gone civilizations chose to use wood because of the opportunity it presented to decorate it to any specification imaginable. Some Native American tribes used the wooden bangle as a way of marking special occasions by either decorating it with specific markings or adding the markings to an already existing bangle. In fact some tribes used a bangle as a type of marital symbol, like a wedding ring, when two people were joined in union.

What Type of Materials Can Be Used to Make Bangle Bracelets

While there are several types of materials that can be used to make bangle bracelets; such as gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze, shell, ceramic and any type of metal alloys, wood is one of the more preferred materials for a variety of reasons. One of the most popular reasons for the choice of wood over other materials is because of the sturdiness of the material. Even bangles made from metals still carries the possibility of becoming dented or bent with age, this isn't something that you have to worry about with a wooden bangle. Another popular reason for the choice of wood is because of the many decorative options that this material presents. You can choose to either stain the wood to any type of finish that appeals to you and simply leave it this way or you can add decorative touches; such as hand painted designs to make it unique and one of a kind.

What Types of Wood Are Used In Bangle Bracelets

Any type of wood can be used to make a bangle bracelet, the choice can actually be dictated according to your personal preference, but some of the more popular woods are the ones from India because of their rich grain patterns which enhance the beauty of the piece. Although these types of woods are preferred some of the other types that have been utilized are Teak, Cherry, African mahogany, Bamboo and several other types. Most of the types of woods that are used to make bangle bracelets come from Asia, India, Africa or Brazil. However, many artists who make their own wooden bangle bracelets generally get the materials from acquaintances who work with wood so the bangle is made from whatever material they are supplied with. There really is no right or wrong type of wood when it comes to making bangle bracelets it's really just whatever your preference to work with is.

How Are the Bangle Bracelets Made?

Now you know the history of the bangle and what the bangles can be made from but the question of how still remains. When it comes to making a bangle bracelet there really are no short cuts that can be taken in making the actual bracelet itself. Basically, the bracelet must be carved from whatever wood is chosen. Some choose to use carving tools to carve out the center part for the wrist, it's important to keep in mind the size that you want the bangle to be so that you can carve it within those dimensions. There are people who buy the prefabricated wooden bangles and these of course are mass produced with the carving done by automated machinery.

Once you have your bangle form then you're ready to decorate it according to your tastes and specifications. Some people choose to simply stain the bracelet and leave it simple while others want to put their own unique touches to it. If you decide to paint your own designs on the bracelet it is best done on the raw unfinished wood, but if you should use the prefabricated ones then take some fine sandpaper and sand the clear varnish from the bracelet so that the acrylic paint you use for your designs adheres much better. After you have finished your designs and they have dried and you're satisfied with your design then use clear acrylic spray paint in either matte or gloss (according to your taste) to seal your bracelet and give it the finishing touches.