Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

Jewelry Project HAWAIIAN LEI

27

Run one of the tubes over

sandpaper along its length,

resulting in a C-shaped latch. Thin

out the upper edge to help the latch

catch the pin a bit easier.

28

Draw center and horizontal

guides with a pencil on the

top ⅓ of the brooch to align the

two parts. Place the pin mount

28 29 30

31 32 33

perpendicular to the line butting the

edge. Place the back edge of the

C-shaped latch parallel to the line

with the C opening visible on the

opposite side.

For greater surface contact, fl atten

the areas on the tubes where they

will be connected to the brooch. Wet

both contact areas, add lump clay,

and blend in smoothly with a shaper.

Finish and dry completely.

Fire the base on a bed of vermiculite

for 2 hours at 1650° F. Finish as

desired. Here you see a soft brushed,

antiqued fi nish.

FORM THE PIN BACK

Measure the distance between the

pin mount and latch, add ½", and cut

on an angle.

Note: The length may need

adjusting. It should reach well into

the latch without extending out the

other side.

29

File the angled cut to an even

point.

30

Ball the other end of the wire

by placing it just in front of

the blue cone of a torch.

Tip: Add flux before you begin, to

avoid wrinkling and puckering of the

ball caused by oxidation.

Work harden the pin by striking it on

a steel plate with a nylon mallet.

31

With round nose pliers, curve

the pin approximately ⅛" from

the balled end into a small arc. This

provides counter pressure when the

pin is in use. Bend the pin at the end

of the curve into an L shape.

32

Insert the pin in the pin

mount and bend the wire

parallel to the C latch.

33

Curve the pin in a shallow arc

toward the latch with your

thumb. Adjust so the spring can

be felt as you secure the pin in the

latch, making sure the pin moves

and catches smoothly.

HOLLY GAGE whose honors include a 2015 Saul Bellow Design is an award-winning jewelry artist

award. A full-time jewelry artist, she also teaches and is a certifi ed metal clay instructor, an author,

and a speaker. You can learn more about her jewelry and other accomplishments at http://www.HollyGage.

com.

See

More Work

THEIR TURN, PAGE 8

78 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST