Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 2

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Filing / Finishing, Forging, Hole Punching, Oxidizing / Antiquing, Riveting, Texturing, Butane Torch Techniques, Design
Skill Level: Beginner

In this second segment of our series on making a mixed metal sampler bracelet, we'll be preparing the bracelet links from our sheet metal.

Materials

20 Gauge 0.032 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-705.20

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.67
Gold Club Price: $11.75

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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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3mm Brass Eyelets - Pack of 5

D1-100

Lesson Quantity: 30.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 6.00 each
Price: $0.97
Gold Club Price: $0.73

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Tools

12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler

G7-30

G7-30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.97
Gold Club Price: $2.23

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ultra fine point sharpie

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Metal Cutting Shears

SHR-536.00

SHR-536.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1

G17-10

G17-10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2

G17-9

G17-9
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.97
Gold Club Price: $11.98

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Small Disc Cutter, 7 Pieces

DAP-400.10

DAP-400.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $46.95
Gold Club Price: $35.21

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Brass Hammer - 1 Pound

HAM-456.10

HAM-456.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.97
Gold Club Price: $18.73

Out of Stock

Lindstrom Multi-Purpose Shear, 5-3/4 Inches

G2-6000

G2-6000
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $39.95
Gold Club Price: $29.96

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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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Instructions

Step 1:

PREPARING THE BRACELET LINK PIECES

Read through the directions before beginning.

Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to make eight 5/8" sections and one 1" section on a 6" x 6" 20 or 22 gauge copper sheet.

Step 2

Through each of the 5/8" sections, use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to make four lines making 1" sections and two lines making ¾" sections. This leaves one ½" section on one side.

Step 3

Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to make lines separating the 1" piece into 7/8" sections, leaving a narrow piece at the end.

Step 4

Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to make a line 1/8" down from one long edge of the 1" strip.

Step 5

Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to make lines dividing in half the sections below the line drawn in Step 4

Step 6

Cut the strips apart. It may be easier to cut the strips of such a large piece using metal shears from the hardware store. These shears have a serrated edge, leaving that texture along the edges of the strips. Each piece will be refined later so it is not a worry. Of course, I you have a jewelers saw with a 6" clearance, that can also be used to cut the pieces.

Step 7

The strips will curl when they are cut apart. Use a rubber, plastic, or rawhide mallet to lightly hammer and flatten each strip.

Step 8

Center each line in the 3/8" hole in a disc cutter, making sure the line drawn 1/8" below the top edge is at the top edge of the disc cutter hole. Use the 3/8" cutter to cut a hole in each of the seven 1" x 7/8" sections. Save the discs cut from the sections.

Longer toggles, up to 1-7/8" long, can be cut from the other 6" x 6" 20 or 22 gauge copper sheet.

Step 9

Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to make lines to draw eight ¾" squares on a piece of 24 or 26 gauge copper sheet. Draw lines from corner to corner inside the squares.

Step 10

Center an "X" inside a 3/8" hole in a disc cutter. Use the 3/8" cutter to cut a hole in each of the squares.

Step 11

Center a hole cut in the 24 or 26 gauge copper sheet from Step 10 in the 5/8" disc cutter hole. Use a 5/8 cutter to cut all eight washers. Hint: Cut an extra washer or two in case a hand made toggle will be used on one of the extra bracelets. Parts of the sheet should be cut away so the sheet can fit inside the cutter to cut the final washers. Save all the bits cut away to use later.

Step 12

Use a rubber, plastic or rawhide mallet to lightly flatten one washer. Center the washer over a hole in the 1" strip. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker to draw lines on either side of the washer.

Step 13

Cut the "O" ring toggles pieces apart, reserving the sections between and at the end of the strip. These will be the T-bars for the toggles. Any shears for metal will work. Lindstrom shears have comfort handles and may be good for hand stress with all the cutting that will be done for the bracelets in this series.

Step 14

Cut apart each section of each 5/8" strips, keeping the pieces from each strip separate from the others.

Step 15

One at a time, center a piece on a bench block. Place another bench block on top. One light whack with a 1 pound brass mallet on the top block is all it will take to flatten the piece. Do this with all the pieces for one bracelet. Flatten a washer and T-bar in the same manner. Place the pieces for the one bracelet in a resealable bag. Repeat the process for the pieces for the other seven bracelets. There are eight bracelet strips and only seven "O" ring links. The extra bracelet pieces can be used to make more links in a desired design from one of the bracelets in the series, or to make extra links to replace those that were "goofs". Notice that if these links were connected, the bracelet would be 8" long or longer. The extra pieces will be used in extra bracelets at the end of the series.

Step 16

Use the texture side of the Mini TruStrike Designer Hammer to lightly texture both sides of each bracelet piece. It may be tempting to texture the washers now, but DON'T. They will expand and no longer fit the "O" ring toggle section.

Step 17

The corners of the bracelet sections will have holes punched in them to accommodate connecting jump rings. The holes do not need to be finished an any particular manner, but will look more finished if they are filled with eyelets. In a perfect world, the holes in all the bracelets would be finished with eyelets. Since not enough eyelets in one metal were available to finish the entire series of bracelets, mixed metal eyelets could be used. For continuity, it was decided to go for a rivet-look using jump rings.

Step 18

Thirty 20 gauge 2mm ID copper jump rings will be needed to complete the corners of all the bracelet sections for one bracelet. Because so many jump rings will be needed, make several 2mm copper coils to cut the jump rings from. Jump rings are small and if they go flying, they are not easy to find. To save time and aggravation looking for them, cut a few extra for each bracelet. Use two pliers to close each jump ring.

Step 19

Make sure all the pieces for each bracelet are separated in resealable plastic bags. There is one set of links that will be missing a toggle section. Those links can be used to replace "goofs" or to make extra links of a particular design. Use them to add your own designs to one of the bracelets. Or, make an extra toggle link and design your own bracelet.

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!