Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

Jewelry Project HAWAIIAN LEI

FORM THE PETALS USING

THE COPPER SHEET

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The entire petal component

is approximately twice the

width of the larger round, so with

a pencil trace the round in the

center of the copper.

Make another guide circle to

indicate the outer edge and divide

the circle at 8 even intervals with

hatch marks indicating where the

leaves should be drawn.

Hand draw the petals, making

every other petal slightly taller

than the others.

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To texture the copper

for the petals, use the

same technique we used for the

pointed side leaves earlier. Go over

the vein with a small ball stylus,

sliding the tool down the center

guideline of the leaf. Flip the cop-

per over and draw a line on either

side of the vein, following the

contour of the leaf to a point for

an accordion eff ect. Remember,

always return to the opposite side

to crisp up lines as needed.

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Press a sheet of clay 2 or 3

cards thick into the mold and

lay over a prop with a concave cen-

ter and broad soft edges. Let these

petals dry, then smooth and refi ne.

Attach the large round to the petals

by wetting contact areas, using

lump clay, and gently pressing them

together. Make sure the round open-

ing is level with the petals.

SET THE GEM

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Using the smaller hollow bud,

drill a hole in the top, and

open it up approximately 1⁄16" smaller

than the gem.

With a pencil, mark the top with

5 evenly spaced hatch marks.

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With the smallest end of a

micro round fi le, gradually fi le

at each of the hatch marks to create

a straight alley. When you are about

1⁄16" in, start using the wider end of

the fi le until you’ve made a circle

just after the straighter portion. The

result should be a stylized fl ower,

with all sections the same size and

shape.

Attach the small bud to the larger

center cup by wetting contact areas,

adding lump clay, and pressing

gently. It is important that the top of

the bud sits level and is centered as

before.

Test that the gem sits fl ush in the

center of the fi ve points without fall-

ing in. If you made your initial hole too

big, add dots of thick slip on the ends

of the points until the gem won’t fall

through, then let dry thoroughly.

Rehydrate just the points for 3 to 5

minutes until the clay has softened,

and set the gem. Make sure it is level

by gently pressing it down with a

shaper tip and then switching to a

clear plastic snake roller.

Roll 5 tiny balls and let them dry

completely. Rehydrate just the

bottoms of the balls by placing them

into a shallow puddle of water. Also,

hydrate the “prongs” just beyond the

edge of the gem.

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76 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST