This bracelet is inspired by myths of the phoenix or firebird from several cultures. It is made using a technique called scale mail that resembles woven metal feathers. The bracelet is constructed by weaving gold, red, and orange metal scales together using small metal rings to create overlapping diamond and V-shapes resembling the feathers of a firebird.

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Firebird Bracelet
The legend of the rebirth of the phoenix or
firebird exists in several cultures. This bracelet
is inspired by those myths. It's a fun example
of scale mail that resembles metal feathers
woven together.
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Supplies
• 26 18-gauge 1⁄4" ID gold rings (large)
• 160 18-gauge 3⁄16" ID gold rings (medium)
• 3 18-gauge 1⁄8" ID jewelry brass rings (small)
• 15 7⁄8 x1⁄2" red scales
• 30 7⁄8x1⁄2" orange scales
• 28 7⁄8x1⁄2" gold scales
• Gold-plated toggle clasp
• 2 pairs of flatnose pliers
1. Weave a medium open
ring through the concave
side of an orange scale and
the convex side of a gold
scale. Close the ring.
2. Orient the scales so that
the gold scale is to the left
of the orange scale. Weave a
medium open ring through
the convex side of a red scale
and the concave side of the
orange scale. Close the ring.
3. Arrange the scales so
they form a V shape with the
orange scale in the center.
Make sure the concave side
of each scale is facing you,
and make sure the orange
scale is stacked in front of
and slightly below the gold
and red scales.
4. Weave a medium open
ring through the concave
side of an orange scale, and
then weave toward you
through the convex side of
a red scale. Close the ring.
Arrange the orange scale so
it sits behind and in between
the gold and the red scales.
5. Weave a medium open
ring through the convex
side of the orange scale and
through the concave side
of the gold scale. You now
have a diamond shape made
of scales.
6. Weave a medium open
ring through the convex
side of a new orange scale,
and weave away from you
through the concave side of
the red scale. Arrange the
scale so that it sits in front of
and slightly below the
red scale.
7. Weave a medium open
ring through the convex
side of a new gold scale and
toward you through the
concave side of the orange
scale added in step 6. Close
the ring. Position the gold
scale behind the orange
scale. You should see a new
V shape on the right-hand
side of the piece.
8. Weave a medium open
ring through the convex side
of a new orange scale and
away from you through the
concave side of the red scale.
Close the ring.
Before You Begin
• Open all of the rings