Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

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Both projects plus comparison in

LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY

ARTIST, MARCH/APRIL 2019

http://www.interweave .com/jewelry

SIMPLIFY THE LONG VIEW

(project)

TAKE THE LONG VIEW

(project)

HOW TO COLOR TITANIUM

FOR JEWELRY

(video)

The

Magic Metal

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Bend each wire in the middle

and solder to a 2" piece of 20ga

wire. I prefer to solder the wires one

at a time, trying to minimize how

much they get soldered to each

other.

Pickle and polish the two sets of

wires.

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Add a crimp bead about

2mm above the cluster

of stamens. This will keep the fl ower

from slipping up the ear wire.

11-12

Alternatively, you can

wrap the titanium,

insert the wires, and then add the

crimp bead, but for me it is harder

to get it snug up against the fl ower

this way.

ASSEMBLE THE FLOWER

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Use chain nose pliers to bend

the fl ower bit by bit into a

conical shape, a bit like a teepee.

With the narrow strip still up out

of the way, lay the wire assembly

in place with the crimp above the

titanium.

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Carefully bend the narrow strip

snugly into place between the

wire assembly and the crimp.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Bend the 20ga wire into shape as an

ear wire, and curve the petals into a

graceful shape. Be sure to smooth

the end of the ear wire so it will be

comfortable to insert.

Tip: Try to avoid unbending and

rebending the titanium. Titanium

work hardens quickly, and it can’t be

annealed the way other metals can

(heat will change the colors). It will

tolerate only a small number of bends

in any one spot before it will crack.

NOËL YOVOVICH is a professional metalsmith

and maker, writing articles about jewelry making and teaching jewelry classes around the country.

Learn more and watch for workshops and classes at Noël Yovovich Art Jewelry on Facebook and on her

website: http://www.NoelYovovich.Bigcartel.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 47