You read instructions. You follow them. This section is for you.

Treat your bracelet gently and it will change slowly. The patina will deepen more evenly, the leather will last longer, and the bracelet will hold its shape with less strain.

• Keep it out of water, including swimming, bathing, showering, and hot tubs.
• Use the button every time you put your bracelet on or take it off. This prevents unnecessary stretching.
• Start with a clean, dry cloth when your bracelet needs cleaning. If it needs more, use a small amount of gentle soap and as little water as possible. Brush lightly with a soft toothbrush, then blot it dry.
• Keep it away from hair products, perfume, sunscreen, and other personal-care products.
• Never use a silver polishing cloth on pewter. It will dull the finish.
• Store your bracelet buttoned or loosely coiled. Don’t flatten it.

If you’re already nodding along, move on to Choosing Your Design. If you’re wondering how many of these rules I actually follow, Rule Breakers is waiting.

You already know the rules. I do too. And sometimes, you’re going to break them anyway.

Wearing your bracelet hard asks more of the materials. Faster change. Deeper patina. More visible wear. A piece that reflects how you actually live.

This is how to do it right when you’re doing it wrong:

• Choose a fit with extra room. If your bracelet gets wet from water or sweat, that space helps the leather dry fully. It can reduce skin irritation and help the leather last longer.
• Pewter will show wear more quickly. If you want to keep some shine, use the least abrasive side of a four-way nail buffer (#4)—gently and only occasionally.
• Repeated water exposure will shorten the life of the leather. Heavy wear may eventually mean replacing it.
• That isn’t a defect. It’s what natural materials do when they’re worn hard.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, you already understand the trade-offs. Wear it anyway. (Exactly like I do.)

Believe it or not, the design you choose affects both the fit and how your bracelet will change over time.

Every design can be worn every day. They just won’t all age at the same pace.

Heavier-gauge designs tend to hold their structure and change more gradually. Finer-gauge designs are lighter and more responsive, so they usually show wear sooner. Neither is better. The real question is what you want the bracelet to feel like now—and how you want it to change with you.

Be honest about how you live in your jewelry. If you know you’re going to wear it everywhere, choose with that in mind.

Design Recommendations

The groups below are a starting point, based on how each design feels and tends to wear. They aren’t rules, and they don’t cover every option.

If you’re stuck between designs, reach out. Tell me which ones are pulling you in and how you wear your jewelry. I’ll help you narrow it down.

More Substantial in Presence

• Dori
• Within
• Braided Within
• Dori Sing
• Box
• Baldr Sing
• Pebble
• Dagr
• Dawn

More Refined in Presence

• Dainty Pride (with or without leather backing)
• Bobbie’s Rose
• Dew Drop
• Fortitude

Your wrist measurement is the starting point. The design you choose and how you like a bracelet to feel determine the rest.

How to Measure

• Use a flexible fabric measuring tape. If you don’t have one, use a strip of paper and measure it against a ruler.
• Measure exactly where you plan to wear your bracelet.
• Let the tape rest against your skin without pulling it tight or leaving slack.
• Measure your wrist itself—not an old bracelet or watch band.
• Add ¼” to ½” to your wrist measurement, depending on how close or relaxed you prefer the fit.

Plan for at least ¼” of stretch with consistent wear.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

The wider the bracelet, the larger the size you may need. Like rings, wider designs naturally feel more snug.

If you know you’ll wear your bracelet through water or sweat, add at least ½” to your wrist measurement. That extra room allows airflow once the leather is wet.

Loose or Snug

If you’re a Rule Follower, there’s no single correct answer. Prefer a snug, cuff-like fit? Great. Prefer a looser, bangle-style fit? Also great.

If you’re a Rule Breaker, looser tends to work better. The extra room helps wet leather dry and reduces the chance of skin irritation.

If you’re still unsure, send me your wrist measurement, the design you’re considering, and whether you prefer a close or loose fit. I’m good at this. I’ll help you choose.