1.Decide on the shape of the leaves that you
want to use and draw the shape with a
marker onto two H” ×1” pieces of 18-gauge
sterling sheet silver. You can free-hand draw
the leaf shape or use a design from a wide
selection of available clip art. You can make
the leaves exactly the same, or you might
make them different from each other for
added interest. You may find that using a
simple shape will be easier when you do this
project the first time.
2.Using a jeweler’s saw or tin snips, cut the leaf
shapes from the H” × 1” 18-gauge sterling
sheet silver. If you are using tin snips and not
a jeweler’s saw, cut outside of the marker line
you drew. This will allow you room to refine
the edges with the file after the leaf shapes
are cut out. In addition, if you use tin snips
to cut out the pieces; they will not be flat
after you cut them. You will need to place
the leaf shapes on a hard, flat surface and
use a rawhide mallet to flatten them. If you
do not have a rawhide mallet, place the leaf
shapes on a hard, flat surface, cover the
pieces with a thick piece of scrap leather, and
gently tap the leather covered leaf shapes
with a hammer to flatten them.
3.The edges of the leaf shapes will be sharp
after you cut them out, so you will need to
use a file to refine the shape of the leaves
and to eliminate any sharp corners or rough
edges. After filing, use a fine grit sanding pad
to go over the area where you have filed to
smooth the edges and remove any file marks.
Do this step to both leaf shapes.