Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells, Metalwork. Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing. A visit to the African Art Collection at Yale Gallery of Art inspired this project.

Singing Bells

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Filing / Finishing
  • Skill Level: Beginner
A visit to the African Art Collection at Yale Gallery of Art inspired this project. One piece on display had beautifully rustic Singing Bells that were formed in to an ankle bracelet. I adapted the design to make equally rustic singing bells. You can make a necklace using these singing bells, they also couple nicely with the Peace Charms.

Materials

18 Gauge 0.040 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch
MET-705.18M
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $20.78
  • Gold Club Price: $15.59
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4mm metal beads of your choice
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 3.00 each
Fiber/cord/embroidery thread of your choice
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Basic Sawing Kit
G15-7
  • G15-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $34.95
  • Gold Club Price: $26.21
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Classic Wubbers Bent Nose Pliers
G2-1239
  • G2-1239
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $27.95
  • Gold Club Price: $20.96
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GB2001 Self-Igniting Butane Micro-Torch
TRCH-GB2001
  • TRCH-GB2001
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $84.95
  • Gold Club Price: $63.71
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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Small Brass Brush
BRS-966.10
  • BRS-966.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.23
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8 Punch Dapping Set
DAP-708.00
  • DAP-708.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $48.97
  • Gold Club Price: $36.73
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WET/DRY PAPER 9 x 11, 600grit- PK/10
ABR-500.30
  • ABR-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Instructions
Step 1
Using the 600 grit sandpaper, clean the sheet if necessary.
Step 2
Print out the template and using a water-soluble adhesive, attach to the copper sheet and let set.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells
Step 3
Load the jewelers saw with a #1 saw blade, drag the blade through the beeswax to lubricate it.
Step 4
While holding the copper piece on the bench pin, begin sawing.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 5
When the piece is completely cut out, remove the template. If necessary, use soap and warm water to remove the adhesive residue and dry well.
Step 6
Using the bench pin for support, smooth the cut edges with the flat file.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 7
Lay the piece/s on the soldering brick and anneal.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 8
Once the pieces are cool, wash them to remove fire scale, then brass brush them.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 9
Bend the piece at a 90 degree angle and rest one of the circle edges in the third largest depression of the forming block. Using the # 24 dap, tap lightly with the hammer to form a concave shape. Repeat on the other side.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 10
Hold the assembly in the center with round nose pliers and use your fingers to bend the concave pieces towards each other.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 11
Prior to closing completely, insert two or three of the small metal beads inside, then complete closing them (they won't be perfect!)
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 12
Adjust the middle piece as shown, then flatten out a section using the bent nose pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 13
Using a small length of ribbon wire, wrap it two or three times around the flattened part, and squeeze to secure with bent nose pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 14
If you want to add some color, wrap fiber/cord/embroidery thread of your choice on top of the ribbon wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace
Step 15
You can add some interesting texture by making a few swipes on the convex areas with a file and smoothing with 600 grit sandpaper.
Step 16
Attach jump rings to the Singing Bells. Suspend on a rustic cord.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Singing Bells - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, singing bells necklace