Jewelry-Making Techniques
Creating an Old World Square Link
by Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator,
Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®
BA5X
: : : Materials : : :
- Focal, brass, 32x32mm double-sided flat square blank with (2) 4x2mm holes
- Drop, brass, 22x14mm double-sided flat rectangle blank with 1.3mm hole
- Bead cap, antiqued brass-finished ''pewter'' (zinc-based alloy), 5mm lacy cone, fits 6mm bead
- Leather scraps, turquoise
- Ball peen hammer
- Bench block, steel
- Pliers, hole-punch, EURO TOOL, 1.8mm punch
STEP 1
Cut a piece of leather larger than the rectangle but small enough to fit between the openings on the sides of the square.
STEP 2
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Place the rectangle onto the leather where you want it to be positioned. Using the marker, place a mark where the hole in the rectangle meets the leather, so you know where to punch a hole. Using the hole punch, make a hole at the mark in the leather.
Place the leather onto the square focal, positioning it where you want it. Using the marker, place a mark where the hole in the leather meets the square, so you know where to drill your first hole.
Place the square onto a block of wood. Place the center punch on the mark on the square. Press the center punch down until it stries to create a depression for the drill bit to catch in. Drill a hole. |
STEP 3
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Layer the pieces together and place a brad through the holes. |
STEP 4
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Place the assembly face down onto a steel bench block. Press on the layers so they are fitted together well. Trim the brad to 1/8" above the last layer. Be sure to cover the piece of wire that will be cut off so it doesn't go flying. |
STEP 5
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Using the ball peen hammer, strike the brad, working around the end so you move the metal outward and so it's flat. |
STEP 6
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Flip the assembly over and place it onto a piece of wood. Determine where you want the next hole to be placed--the second hole in the piece shown is opposite the first. Using the rawhide mallet, strike the center punch at the mark to create a depression. Drill a hole at the mark, drilling slowly so, as you pass through each layer, the assembly stays as you have it lined up. |
STEP 7
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Put a brad through the drill hole then repeat Steps 4-5.
Optional: Repeat Step 6 to place a hole in the center.
Repeat Step 3 adding in other findings, like the brass flower and flattened lacy cone bead cap, as shown.
Repeat Steps 4-5 to secure the final brad in place. |
: : : Additional Resources : : :
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