Freeform Pendant

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Riveting, Sawing, Stamping, Design, Drilling
Skill Level: Beginner

Today we offer a great pattern from Judy Larson. Enjoy!

You can create unique pieces of jewelry using leftover pieces of sheet metal. In this instance, the leftover piece of 30 gauge fold formed copper sheet metal was trimmed to a desired shape and riveted to a slightly larger piece of 24 gauge nickel silver sheet. 3.5 x 3.5mm brass rivets and eyelets were used to attach the two pieces together and to add color interest.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Nickel Silver Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-703.24

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.48
Gold Club Price: $13.11

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30 Gauge 0.010 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

MET-705.30

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.18
Gold Club Price: $6.14

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3mm Brass Eyelets - Pack of 5

D1-100

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $0.97
Gold Club Price: $0.73

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12mm Copper Rivet - Pack of 25

A5-512

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.99
Gold Club Price: $1.49

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Tools

Pro Shear

SHR-544.00

SHR-544.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

Out of Stock

DELUXE 4 HOLE METAL PUNCH

PUN-420.04

PUN-420.04
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $64.95
Gold Club Price: $48.71

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Deluxe 3-Hole Punch

PUN-420.03

PUN-420.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $58.97
Gold Club Price: $44.23

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Steel Riveting Block

ANV-120.00

ANV-120.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $49.95
Gold Club Price: $37.46

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Riveting Hammer

HAM-200.00

HAM-200.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.97
Gold Club Price: $18.73

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Medium Rawhide Hammer 1 1/4 inch - Pack of 1

G3-7

G3-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks

DAP-500.30

DAP-500.30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

Out of Stock

Optional Tools

WireJewelry Professional Single Barrel Rotary Rock Tumbler with 3 Pound Capacity Drum (2021 Version)

G24-1V2

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $106.60
Gold Club Price: $79.95

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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle

G14-7

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.57
Gold Club Price: $4.18

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Marker -extra fine

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through all the directions before beginning the project.

Note: You may need to flatten each piece after cutting or working with it. You do not want to change the look or surface design of your fold formed piece, so use a rubber, plastic or rawhide mallet and bench block to do this.

Step 2

In this particular leftover fold formed piece, there was a hole caused when dimpling pliers broke through the metal. A bead reamer was used to make the hole large enough to fit a small brass 3mm eyelet or domed head rivet with a tube style back.

Step 3

Set the rivet.

Step 4

Trim the fold formed piece to a desired shape.

Step 5

Use files to smooth and refine the edges of the fold formed piece.

Step 6

Use the smallest hole punch from the multi hole punch tool to make holes in the desired locations on the fold formed piece.

Step 7

Cut a 24 gauge piece of sheet metal, nickel silver in this case, larger than your fold formed piece. You will trim it to fit later, so do not worry too much about size or shape.

Step 8

Using an ultra fine point Sharpie, mark ONE of the holes through the fold formed piece onto the nickel silver backing.

Step 9

Use the smallest hole punch from the multi hole punch tool to make a hole on the mark on the nickel silver.

Step 10

Place a brass domed head rivet or eyelet through both holes and connect the fold formed piece to the nickel silver piece. Rivet in place.

Step 11

Use the smallest hole punch from the multi hole punch tool to make a hole in the nickel silver backing through another fold formed hole.

Step 12

Place a brass domed head rivet or eyelet through both holes and connect the fold formed piece to the nickel silver piece. Rivet in place.

Step 13

Repeat the process until the fold formed piece is securely attached to the nickel silver backing.

Step 14

Decide where the top of the pendant will be. Punch a hole there and add a brass eyelet. Add a jump ring to the hole.

Step 15

Trim the nickel silver backing the desired distance away from the fold formed piece.

Step 16

Use files to smooth and refine the edges of the nickel silver backing.

Step 17

You may wish to tumble the piece at this point to polish.

Step 18

Slide the pendant on a chain or leather cord.

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!