Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

Jewelry Project WESTERN ROMANCE

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Equip a hand drill or fl ex shaft

with a 1⁄16 inch, 1.5mm drill bit

and drill a hole in each piece.

Tip: That size drill bit is available at

most hardware stores. Remember

to always use sandpaper or a file to

remove any burrs created from the

drilling.

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File the metal borders of the

boots, smoothing any rough

edges.

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Use a soft Delrin hammer

to shape the boot over a

bracelet mandrel. A slightly curved

shape is all that is needed to make

the boot more dimensional.

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Patina the metal if desired.

For a liver of sulfur patina,

dip the metal, rinse and repeat so

it darkens gradually. Otherwise the

patina may fl ake off.

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Use fi ne steel wool to bring

out the highlights of the

textures.

The cowboy boots are now ready to

be hung on ear wires of your choice.

If you would like to make your own

wires for these, see the box “Quick

and Easy Ear Wires.”

ADD YOUR OWN TOUCHES

These earrings are just one variation of

cowboy boot earrings you could make.

With the basic boot shape, you might

replace the heart with a star, add a

metal cap on the toe, switch the order

of the metals, make them smaller or

larger or create a diff erent texture for

each soldered cutout. Follow the pat-

tern as outlined or use your own design

elements, and you will surely have a pair

of earrings that is fun to wear.

KAREN J. LAUSENG artist and metalsmith who resides in southwest New is an accomplished craft

Mexico.

Meet

the Artist

DOER’S PROFILE, PAGE 96

Visit the West

THE TUCSON SURVIVAL GUIDE

PAGE 38

See

More Work

THEIR TURN, PAGE 8

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32 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST