Dots to the Rescue

by Judy Larson

It is amazing how much an added little dot of metal can elevate a design. I used so many tiny dots when I made my Bali style beads that I ran out and had to restock my supply!

Instructions

After cutting the pieces needed for a project from sheet metal, use a variety of different size hole punches to cut "dots" from scrap sections.

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, making silver dots

One side will be more rounded and will be considered the right side.

Place the dots right side up on a bench block. Give each dot a light tap to flatten.

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, Place the dots right side up on a bench block

Once the dots have been flattened, they're ready to use.

Save any extras for future projects by labeling a small bag with the sheet metal gauge and, if needed, the dot size especially if you've made multiple sizes.

My favorite way to store these little gems is in a trading card storage box.

These compact boxes are easy to organize and keep within reach on a shelf above my workbench.

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, Save all excess dots for use on other projects by labeling a small bag

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, put them on a storage box

Keep little metal dots on hand to use as embellishments and you won't be sorry.

While running a butterfly wing texture and sheet metal through my rolling mill, I wasn't paying close enough attention. One of the wing tips folded over grrr.

I realigned the texture and ran it back through, knowing it would leave a ghost image. The goal was to get the wing tip imprinted again.

Then came the challenge of disguising the folded area.

Dots to the rescue!

Choose the dot size and decide exactly where to place them for best visual effect.

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, Keep little metal dots on hand to use as embellishments

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, put the silver dots on the butterfly wings

Small dots of paste solder were used to attach the metal dots, and the entire unit was placed on a soldering surface.

Because the flux in paste solder can bubble and shift tiny pieces if heated too closely, start by keeping the flame at least a finger's width away.

Wait until all smoke and flame have stopped. That means the flux has burned off and the dots have settled in place.

Then you can safely move the heat closer.

As soon as the solder flows, immediately remove the heat.

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, put black marker in the middle

After pickling the piece, the fold is still visible, but the dots help draw the eye away from it.

The ghost image creates extra texture, leaving more lines for the patina to settle into when the raised areas are wiped clean.

This added contrast helps disguise the fold even further.

The folded area fades into the background, and the dots become the star of the show.

Judy Larson's Dots to the Rescue - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, This helps disguise the fold

Materials

18 Gauge Half Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-18HRD

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $5.30
Gold Club Price: $3.98

Add to Bag

22 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-22SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $104.76
Gold Club Price: $78.57

Add to Bag

Optional Materials

Liver of Sulphur Gel, 1 Ounce Bottle

SOL-610.01

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

Add to Cart

Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Silver Solder Paste Soft SS65- 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.10

SOL-822.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.95
Gold Club Price: $12.71

Add to Bag

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

Add to Bag

Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

TRCH-8010
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

Add to Bag

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

Add to Bag

Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters

PLR-133.50

PLR-133.50
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.98
Gold Club Price: $8.98

Add to Bag

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

Add to Bag

Bench Blocks - 130 X 130 X 20

DUR-1187

DUR-1187
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $66.67
Gold Club Price: $50.00

Add to Bag

12x12 Inch Rubber Mat

MAT-500.00

MAT-500.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

Add to Bag

Optional Tools

Deluxe Soldering Kit

G15-5

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

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Category: Design
Technique(s): Design

Reviews

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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!