Simple Strip Bails from Scratch

by Judy Larson

Category: Findings
Technique(s): General Education
Skill Level: Intermediate

These strip bails have the look of tube bails but are much easier to use. They are simple to make, and since they are made with sheet metal scraps, they essentially cost nothing. Can't beat that!

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Sterling Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H8-24SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $44.43
Gold Club Price: $33.32

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26 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-26SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $40.08
Gold Club Price: $30.06

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Tools

6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

G2-503

G2-503
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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Metal Cutting Shears

SHR-536.00

SHR-536.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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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: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions for the space you are working in as well as all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies you will be using to complete the project.

If you work with sheet metal, you have scrap. A lot of my scrap is textured, which is a bonus because a textured bail can add a bit of interest to a piece. Pull a few pieces out of your scrap box and flatten them.

Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal

Step 2

If the edges of the scrap pieces are not straight, draw a line and cut them straight. Using an ultra-fine point retractable Sharpie and a ruler, draw lines on the metal to make strips that are anywhere from 1/8" to a ¼" wide. There will be less edge clean-up later if a Lindstrom shear is used to cut the strips instead of a regular scissor type shear or a French shear.

Step 3

Make sure one end is perfectly square.

Step 4

Roll the square end on the smaller of the two middle steps of a 6 step barrel pliers. Use a flat nose pliers to squeeze the loop so the squared edge meets evenly with the strip tail. You now have a bunch of unfinished bails that can be used in a variety of ways after finishing the edges and trimming to length.

Step 5

The bails on the pendants in the first two photos were soldered in place. Paste solder was put on the inside of the bail and at the loop seam before it was pressed into place on the pendant backs and soldered in place. The bail on the pendant in the third photo was soldered but could have just as easily been glued in place with a strong glue.

Step 6

The bails used on the pendants above were on the longer side, but the ones used on these pendants made by a friend were just long enough to attach the scrap cast embellishments and frames together-only about ¼". Obviously, scraps do not need to be very large to make these useful findings!

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!