3

l
have been desiqninq and
makinq |ewelry since 992.
1he locus was always metal.
l had never incorporated any
color in any material in my
|ewelry until l started explor
inq the possibility ol usinq wool
lelt in my work. Whimsical and
briqht, the tassels were the lirst
expression ol my new direction.
l knew l was on a very dillerent
path lrom the one l had been on
when only workinq with mixed
metals. Now, l combine metal
smithinq skills with an alterna
tive color choice: wool lelt.
N A I L R | A L S
S||ver tub|r (|D 2.5) r|re
3.53.56 sect|ors
2.5 ster||r esb cba|r
I0 ster||r jup r|rs, t|ry
(for W|re)
2 ster||r jup r|rs, sa||
(for brace|et erds, c|asp)
I0 ster||r jup r|rs, ed|u,
(for W|res ard tasse|s)
I8 or I9aue ster||r W|re
I0 ster||r erd cores
Lrd caps
Ster||r c|asp
fe|t sbeet
I 0 0 L S
f|ux
Pard ard easy sbeet so|der
SaW b|ades
Scr|be
Stra|bt ede
Cutt|r surface
Sbarp sc|ssors ard
rotary cutter
N|ppers
Rourd, f|at, ard reed|e
rose p||ers
f|re square/f|at reed|e f||e
L|verofsu|fur or otber
ox|d|z|r aert
Scotcb Br|te pad
220r|t sardpaper
P|c||e pot ard p|c||e
Iorcb W|tb sa|| or ed|u t|p
So|der|r surface
So|der|r p|c|
So|der|r tWeezers
0x|d|z|r tWeezers
Copper sbeet to act as beat s|r|
|f reeded
Iube cutt|r j|
SaW frae
SK! LLS Y0U NEED
MATER! ALS AND T00LS Y0U NEED

sawing

sweat soldering

patina use
|||! !/\\|| \l|I|| ||/|||!
P
R
0
J
E
C
T

B
Y
N|CPLLL A. fR|LDNAN
Oer|r ||oto. HA| SAKWA
|roject ||otos. JOHN A||S
A f us | or of f | |er ord ret o|
Interweave Press LLC. Not to be reprinted. All rights reserved. Best of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, Volume 4 10 Mixed Media Jewelry Projects 3
Interweave Press LLC. Not to be reprinted. All rights reserved. Best of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, Volume 4 10 Mixed Media Jewelry Projects 4
Saw 9 sections ol tubinq, each approxi
mately 3.5mm lonq.
Sand outside ol each section, leavinq
inside unsanded.
Cut about 7" ol mesh chain. Snip 0 sections
ol wire, each about
3
/^" lonq.
File one end llat on each.
With rotary cutter, cut 3

/8" wide x

/^ "
lonq strips ol lelt lor each tassel. Use straiqht
edqe and cuttinq surlace lor accuracy.
lnsert 23 paillons ol easy sheet sol
der inside each section ol tubinq and
heat until solder melts.
Repeat lor end caps. Pickle.
{Phctc 1) Close 0 tiny |ump rinqs.
Solder openinq ol each rinq aqainst
llat end ol each wire section to cre
ate eyepins without openinqs.
Slide tubinq sections onto mesh chain.
Space each section equidistantly. Position
end caps on ends ol chain. 1hese compo
nents need to lit snuqly.
{Phctc 2) Sweat solder tubinq and
caps to mesh as lollows: Apply qenerous
amount ol llux. Heat each seqment until
solder within llows to |oin them to chain.
Pickle. Check each section and end caps
lor successlul solderinq. Repeat until all
pieces are soldered and secured.
Solder clasp and end |ump rinq usinq
remaininq 2 small |ump rinqs.
{Phctc 3) Use needle and llat nose pliers
to attach each eyepin to bracelet with
medium |ump rinqs. Place between tubinq
sections and end caps.
{Phctc 4) Attached eyepins move only
between tubinq sections, not over them.
Solder medium |ump rinqs closed.
Oxidize entire bracelet and cones.
Rinse, let dry and strip oxidation as desired
with Scotch Brite pad.
{Phctc 5) Make tassel by placinq hand
made eyepin throuqh top ol cone. Pierce
and place lelt strip on eyepin.
{Phctc 6) Use scribe to lorce lelt
into cone.
Leave approximately
3
/8" ol wire, snip excess.
Use round nose pliers to loop end under lelt
to prevent it lrom poppinq out ol cone.
Repeat lor all cones. 1rim lelt with scissors
as desired.
l Z
1 |
!l |
Pay careIul attention to all
parts oI the piece and avoid
overheating. Try using copper
sheet to shield the piece and
act as heat sink iI needed.
MICHELE A. FPIEDMAN has been a sellemployed metalsmith and |ewelry desiqner since 992.
She has exhibited |ewelry lines in art, desiqn, and cralt shows all over the country and is repre
sented by qalleries nationally. Lmail: maldesiqnhotmail.com Web: www.maldesiqn.bloqspot.com
Interweave Press LLC. Not to be reprinted. All rights reserved. Best of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, Volume 4 10 Mixed Media Jewelry Projects 4