This is beyond clever! Keirsten over on the Art Jewelry Elements blog figured out a way of making your own end caps from metal discs. This way you can not only make any size of end caps but also have the option of customizing it with hammered patterns and patina.
It's hard to get different size end caps so I have been thinking of ways to make our own. I considered resin clay (alas not metal), metal clay (need a kiln) and the good old standby, coiled wire cones (may not suit some designs - see tutorial links below).
But this creative solution is brilliant. You do need some basic metal work skills and tools. At the very least, some metal snips and metal files to round the edges. The only issue is the thickness of the metal discs. That's why the instructor annealed hers (heated it so the metal is softer) to making the folding easier. An alternative is to purchase some thin metal sheets, say 24G, and cut out the discs yourself either with a disc cutter or metal snips - the latter will need some filing around the edges.
She pickled it - cleaned it thoroughly by dipping into a mild acid solution and rinsed. You could also just tumble the discs.
Hat tip to reader Aims for this fabulous find!
Before You Go:
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
It's hard to get different size end caps so I have been thinking of ways to make our own. I considered resin clay (alas not metal), metal clay (need a kiln) and the good old standby, coiled wire cones (may not suit some designs - see tutorial links below).
But this creative solution is brilliant. You do need some basic metal work skills and tools. At the very least, some metal snips and metal files to round the edges. The only issue is the thickness of the metal discs. That's why the instructor annealed hers (heated it so the metal is softer) to making the folding easier. An alternative is to purchase some thin metal sheets, say 24G, and cut out the discs yourself either with a disc cutter or metal snips - the latter will need some filing around the edges.
She pickled it - cleaned it thoroughly by dipping into a mild acid solution and rinsed. You could also just tumble the discs.
Hat tip to reader Aims for this fabulous find!
Before You Go:
- Which Disc Cutter to Get for Jewelry Making?
- How to Make Coiled Wire Ends
- 4 Ways to Finish Cord Ends Using Different Findings
- How to Make Secure Wire Cord Ends with Scrolls or Spirals
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Keirsten is awesome!!! So creative, I love her work and these end caps are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYes, she is brilliant and so generous in sharing her awesome tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing you could do now that I'm thinking about it - is use a Sizzix Bigkick and put a design on the metal - (if you had one of those - I don't) or stamp with metal stamps of course - before making the bead caps....
ReplyDeleteSuch Fun!
Making your own bead caps - although time consuming, would certainly make your work stand out from others as unique and your own!
That's a great idea! You are talking about the embossing plates from Sizzix, right? The metal used for embossing is certainly thinner!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of suitable bead caps have made me change my idea on a number of occasions and this is such a cool tutorial. Since I don't have the skills & supplies to try it right away but will keep it in mind for a future use :) Keirsten has some fabulous ideas on her site!
ReplyDeletetcardillo@gmail.com I had forgotten to put my info.
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