Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

Jewelry Project HAWAIIAN LEI

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On the acrylic sheet, fl ip the

copper over, fl ip the tool to the

cupping end, and press down over

the dot to defi ne it.

Note: As you continue working,

you will flip the copper sheet often.

Remember to use the foam for cre-

ating embossed lines and depth, and

the acrylic sheet to refine shapes.

POINTED SIDE LEAVES

Go over the vein with a small ball

stylus, sliding the tool down the

center guideline of the leaf.

Flip the copper over and draw

a line on either side of the vein,

following the contour of the leaf to

a point. This should create a leaf

shaped accordion eff ect.

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Always return to the opposite

side to crisp up lines as needed.

PETAL SURROUND

For the petals, use a larger ball stylus

and a scooping motion. Start the

stroke lightly, then add more pres-

sure, then lighten up again at the end

of the stroke. This gives more depth

to the middle portion.

Make radiating lines from the top

and bottom of each petal following

the contour. Use varied pressure from

stroke to stroke to add interest.

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In between petals, fl ip over the

copper sheet and crisp up the

lines, defi ning one from the next.

Also refi ne the edges around the

petals with a small ball stylus to

fi nish them off.

ROUNDED, DIMENSIONAL

STEMS

Press with an appropriate size stylus,

fi tting in between the guidelines from

the reverse side.

Use elongated strokes if you want

to minimize tool strokes. Use a

smaller tool and several small strokes

to make a branch-like texture.

Use the tefl on deer foot around

edges between shapes to crisp up

lines.

Use the paper stump to remove

wrinkles and unwanted marks

appearing in the fi nal embossed

copper plate.

Tip: When you need a point, just

sharpen the stump.

PRESS CLAY INTO SHEET

9

Roll metal clay to 4 cards thick

and press into the copper plate,

starting in the center and system-

atically progressing outward to the

edge. For a crisp impression, you

need no lubrication; it won’t stick.

10

Cut the extra clay, including

the center, and use various

sized props to raise and add dimen-

sion to the leaves and stems. Move

to a warming plate and let dry.

Refi ne the leaves with a scalpel,

sanding papers, and polishing

papers as needed. Consider using

your fi les to stylize the edges and

curves. Set aside.

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About Design

STYLIZED, PAGE 68

Customize

Copper

TEXTURE ON DEMAND,

PAGE 80

74 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST