Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 6 - A Little Bling

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Beginner

Here's another way to decorate your Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet. Again, it's a great way to use up scrap pieces of metal from your bench!

Materials

30 Gauge 0.010 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-705.30

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.18
Gold Club Price: $6.14

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22 Gauge 0.025 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-705.22

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.30
Gold Club Price: $8.48

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24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Red Brass Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-704.24

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.98
Gold Club Price: $6.74

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Tools

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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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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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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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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C.H.P Milano Small Sprue Cutter, 6-1/4 Inches, Flush Cut

PLR-488.00

PLR-488.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Solderite Soldering Board 6 Inch by 6 Inch Soft

SOL-421.10

SOL-421.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.76
Gold Club Price: $11.07

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Deluxe Soldering Kit

G15-5

G15-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $116.97
Gold Club Price: $87.73

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Copper Solder Paste, 1/2 ozt, Soft

SOL-824.10

SOL-824.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

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2 Hole Metal Punch

G12-60

G12-60
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the directions before beginning. Note: Save all the metal scraps, no matter how tiny, for the last project.

Use the information on the template for the size to cut the pieces used as embellishments on the bracelet links. Make sure the pieces are longer than needed. The excess metal hanging over the edges of the links will be cut away after soldering.

Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 6 - A Little Bling - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet A Little Bling

Step 2

I started fold forming a piece of 30-gauge copper. If you are like me, you save a lot of scraps, thinking they might come in handy for something being made in the future. When I realized I had Sherman Fold scraps cut from the edge of a piece I attached to an Eva Sherman cuff I made, I pulled them out and knew they would be perfect attached to these bracelet links. Of course, any heavily textured or tightly fold formed piece of metal will work instead.

Step 3

Use a rubber mallet to lightly flatten the fold formed scrap. It is natural for it to curve so don't worry. Lightly buff the top with a sanding pad to see the texture design.

Step 4

Place the "O" ring toggle link on a bench block. Dividing the washer into four quadrants with an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie makes it easier to use the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to hammer even lines radiating out from center.

Step 5

An eighth inch wide piece of 24 or 26 gauge brass cut for the T-bar is attached to a ¼" x 1" piece of 20 or 22 gauge copper. Refer to PREPARING THE BRACELET LINK PIECES-Part 2 for directions for finishing the T-bar.

Step 6

Place the slightly flattened strip of fold formed metal on a bracelet link. Make sure that the texture that will show on the finished link is pleasing. Cut the piece longer than needed. The excess will be trimmed away after soldering. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to draw a straight line along one edge of the piece. Draw another line a scant ¼" away from the first line. Trim away the excess metal. Repeat the process with the other links. These pieces will be placed right next to the jump rings on one end of each link. The pieces for the "O" ring toggle and the smallest link should be cut no more than 1/8" wide.

Step 7

Cut a piece of 24 or 26 gauge brass no more than 3/8" wide. Texture the brass strip using a Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer. The strip will curve if hammering only from one end to the other. Turn it around and hammer again and the piece will straighten. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to draw a straight line along one edge of the piece. Draw another line 3/16" away from the first line. Trim away and save the excess metal.

Step 8

Cut each brass piece longer than needed. The excess metal will be trimmed away after soldering.

Step 9

Flatten the textured brass pieces.

Step 10

Now is the time to decide what embellishment will be used. If not using eyelets and sparkly chatons or domed rivet embellishments, cut a silver or nickel silver 1/8" disk for all but the "O" ring toggle link and the smallest link. Flatten the discs.

Step 11

Butter the entire back of a fold formed piece, including all the dips, with copper paste solder. Place the piece on the copper bracelet link, solder side down, pushing the edge against the jump rings on one end of the link.

Step 12

Place each piece onto the soldering surface. Here, a solderite board was used. Heat each piece separately until a flash of silver is visible when the solder flows. Immediately remove the heat and go on to the next piece until all are soldered.

Step 13

Use flush cutters to trim away the excess fold formed metal. Do not worry if a part of a fold formed section has not attached to the link.

Step 14

The pieces will look terrible after soldering. Place in a pickle pot with super pickle and they will come out looking much better. Rinse the pieces. Some people like to place the pieces in baking soda water to neutralize the pickle and then rinse them. Dry the pieces before going to the next step. Note: Super pickle is not needed for this step because both soldered pieces are copper, but since it will be needed for the next solder step, it was used anyway.

Step 15

Most of the fold formed pieces will have an area that did not fully adhere to the bracelet link. Use the tips of chain nose pliers to press down the edges of the fold formed pieces, avoiding the raised texture areas where possible. Use one end of a half a wooden clothespin to press the edges of fold formed pieces that the pliers did not reach onto the bracelet link. All the solder used in Step 13 spread out on the back of the fold formed piece so during the next soldering step, the fold formed pieces will fully adhere.

Step 16

A quick brush with a soft bristle brass or steel brush will make the links look even better. This is not necessary, but you can get an idea of how the pieces will look after they are tumbled. This was when I decided I wanted to texture the "O" ring toggle washer. It was very difficult to not hit the fold formed piece while texturing. It would have been so much better to do this back in Step 4, as written in the directions.

Step 17

Butter the backs of the textured brass strips and place solder side down on the bracelet links. If not using eyelets or domed rivets, place a small amount of copper paste solder on the back of a silver disc. Place solder side down on the bracelet link where an eyelet or rivet would be attached.

Step 18

Place each piece onto a raised soldering surface. Heat each piece separately until you see the solder flow. Immediately remove the heat and go on to the next piece until all are soldered.

Step 19

Place the links in a pickle pot with super pickle until the fire scale is removed. Rinse the pieces. Some people like to place the pieces in baking soda water to neutralize the pickle and then rinse them. Dry the pieces before going to the next step.

Step 20

Use a soft bristle brass or steel brush on each piece. Use a flush cutter for heavier metal to trim the excess brass.

Step 21

Trim off the corners of each link using a flush cutter. Use a metal shears to away the excess metal at the top of the washer on the "O" ring toggle piece. File and refine each piece so there are no sharp edges that can scratch the skin or snag on clothing.

Step 22

Use a 2mm hole punch to make holes where you would like to place the eyelets.

Step 23

Place an eyelet in a hole on one link. Use an eyelet setter to attach the eyelet. Repeat the process for all but the ½" link.

Step 24

Place the links in the tumbler with shot, water and a drop of dish detergent. Tumble for several hours and they will come out bright and shiny. Note: The sparkly chatons will be secured in place after the bracelet sections have been patinated.

Pro Tip: Hold off on doing any patina to the pieces until all the bracelets sections are done.

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!