OOAK Large Bronze Ponderosa Cuff with Knot Hole Perforation

:: Narrows Rim ::

This beautiful bronze cuff exemplifies everything I love best about metal clays. It was made by pressing the clay into a mold I made of weathered ponderosa wood and it took each detail with great precision, making the bracelet look as if it were made from wood turned into solid bronze. The mold was created from deadfall years ago during a hike on the Narrows Rim trail, a pathway along a mesa’s edge high above the black lava beds of El Malpais National Monument in western New Mexico (if I ever get past this sciatica, it’s on my “get back there” list).

Making cuffs like this is tricky, as the clay must be carefully coaxed into shape as it dries. Then the knot hole had to be carved out and the thicker parts of the bracelet painstakingly thinned with a knife before the cuff was fired. Air dried bronze clay is soft and easily breaks so this is a delicate business, and then it can split again in the kiln during the firing process. Many prayers went up to the Kiln Gods as this went into the pan! Thankfully it survived with only one split along the edge, which actually works with the design. Once it emerged unscathed from the fire the hard work began as I cleaned and refined the surface in a process of 8 steps, ending in a final polishing of a satiny finish.

Exact sizing isn’t possible with metal clays, at least in the way I work with them, and this cuff came out on the larger size. Before purchasing, please take a look at the last photo and make sure it will not be too large for your arm, and also make sure you can put it on without having to bend open the piece. It is not designed to be bent and doing so will fatigue and break the metal…and it cannot be repaired (I’ve tried).

This brand of bronze metal clay is no longer being produced. I have stocked up on it but once it’s gone, it’s gone and there is no guarantee I’ll be able to obtain comparable results with other brands.

For desert spirits and fearless souls…

SIZE: Widest internal dimension is just over 2 1/2” across. The opening is just under 7/8” wide. Maximum width of the cuff is 1”.

CARE: Wash and wear with soap and water. The bronze will deepen in color over time. It can be brightened with steel wool or a jeweler’s polishing cloth.

PACKAGING: This cuff will arrive giftwrapped in hand-decorated, Earth-friendly packaging, wrapped inside an organic cotton pouch. Please reuse or recycle the wrappings.

SHIPPING: Your bracelet will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Shipping is always free.