Bracelet Component

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Riveting, Texturing
Skill Level: Beginner

Here are some basic techniques that come together as a nice bracelet focal. Finish with chain or fiber, or make a couple more and attach 3 with jump rings.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-705.24

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.42
Gold Club Price: $7.07

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12mm Copper Rivet - Pack of 25

A5-512

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.99
Gold Club Price: $1.49

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Tools

Liver of Sulphur Gel, 2 Ounce Bottle

SOL-610.02

SOL-610.02
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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Pro Shear

SHR-544.00

SHR-544.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Riveting Hammer

HAM-200.00

HAM-200.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.97
Gold Club Price: $18.73

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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks

DAP-500.30

DAP-500.30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm

PLR-133.70

PLR-133.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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Nylon Bracelet Bending Plier

PLR-840.00

PLR-840.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $19.97
Gold Club Price: $14.98

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle

G14-7

G14-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.57
Gold Club Price: $4.18

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Marker -extra fine

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Instructions

Step 1

Copy the long oval, large circle and one small circle templates.

Step 2

Transfer the designs to your sheet metal.

Step 3

Cut the pieces out using your preferred method for cutting sheet metal.

Step 4

File any sharp edges.

Step 5

Use a 1.5mm hole punch to make holes in the center of each circle and on both ends of the bracelet backplate.

Pro Tip: Note: Step 6 and 7 are optional. If you do not own or have access to a Sizzix Big Shot Embossing Machine, texture the tab pendant backplate in any manner you wish.

Step 6

Anneal the bracelet backplate and then pickle to remove fire scale.

Step 7

Place the bracelet backplate on the DecoEtch plate. Run it through the Sizzix Big Shot Embossing Machine to achieve the background texture.

Step 8

Use the Mini TruStrike Designer/Texture Hammer to texture the edges of the large circle. Use the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer to texture the smaller circle. Try to make slightly wavy edges when you are texturing.

Step 9

Use the Dapping Punch Set to cup the circles. To preserve the texture when cupping each circle, consider placing a piece of felt between the dap and the circle shape.

Step 10

Position the large domed piece on the bracelet backplate. Using an ultra fine point permanent marker, mark where the rivet hole needs to be punched. Use a 1.5mm metal hole punch to make the hole.

Step 11

Rivet the stacked cupped flower pieces to the bracelet backplate.

Step 12

Use the bracelet bending pliers to curve the bracelet backplate.

Step 13

You can leave your piece bright and shiny or use liver of sulfur to patina it. Buff with 0000 steel wool to bring out the dimension of your texturing.

Congratulations! You've made your first Bracelet Component!

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!