@techreport{TR-IC-05-14, number = {IC-05-14}, author = {Marcelo H.~de Carvalho and Cláudio L.~Lucchesi and U.~S.~R.~Murty}, title = {How to Build a Brace}, month = {June}, year = {2005}, institution = {Institute of Computing, University of Campinas}, note = {In English, 25 pages. \par\selectlanguage{english}\textbf{Abstract} We prove in this paper that every brace may be obtained, by means of edge additions and suitable vertex-splittings, from the two basic braces $K_2$ and $C_4$. McCuaig showed that this may be achieved, staying within the realm of simple graphs, starting with three infinite families of braces. While our theorem may be deduced from McCuaig's, our proof is simpler. } }