Making TIny Leaves

by Judy Larson

There are times when tiny leaves may be needed for embellishing a jewelry creation. These tiny leaves can be difficult to texture after cutting them out so the key is to texture BEFORE cutting.

Instructions

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Draw out a simple leaf shape in the desired size. Make a template of that shape.

Pro Tip: Make a template from a plastic sheet. The size and shape will not become distorted as it could with a paper template.

Judy Larson's Making TIny Leaves - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Texturing, making tiny leaves

Draw the leaf midrib on scrap metal with an ultra fine point Sharpie marker. Place the metal scrap on a bench block. Use the Mini TruStrike Sharp Texture Hammer to texture lines out from the midrib line as shown.

Place the template on the textured scrap, centering the leaf shape on the midrib line. Draw a line on the metal around the template edge.

Use metal shears to cut the leaf shapes out. If the leaves are too small to refine the edges with a sanding sponge, tumbling them in steel shot and water will soften the edges a bit. After refining, the leaves are ready to be shaped, if desired.

Materials

22, 24, or 26 gauge metal scrap

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Tools

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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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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Xuron Sheer - Non Serrated

SHR-691.81

SHR-691.81
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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Stainless Steel Shot - 1 lb Bag

G24-4

G24-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $43.95
Gold Club Price: $32.96

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Thumlers Tumbler Model A-R12 Rock Tumbler

G34-130

G34-130
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $348.17
Gold Club Price: $261.13

Out of Stock

WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000

ABR-500.90

ABR-500.90
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Cutting, Texturing

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!