Red Rose Silver Bracelet

Step 1

Steps:

1. Cut three circles out of sterling silver plate using a punch and mallet. Place them one at a time in a wood dapping block and create a dome shape (cup) using a dapping punch.

Steps 2-3

2. Place each silver cup in a metal dapping block and use a metal dapping punch to create a deeper dome shape.

3. Smooth the edges with files and emery paper.

Step 6

4. Wearing rubber gloves, coat two of the dome-shaped cups with asphaltum (acid resist). Let dry for 10 minutes.

5. Inscribe desired words/phrases in the resist with a scribing tool.

6. Place two cups in an acid-etching bath to etch away the words. Remove the remaining resist in a heated acid pickle and rinse in water.

Step 7

7. Cut three jump rings in half. Apply flux to the back of the cups and, using an oxygen acetylene torch, solder two of the half rings onto the backs of the cups so they can be linked together. Place the cups in the heated pickle and rinse.

Steps 8-9

8. To make the enamel rose, punch out a circle from copper sheeting. Punch a hole in the center of the copper creating a donut shape.

9. Using metal cutters, cut a slit from the outer edge of the circle to the inner edge of the circle, cutting the donut apart only at the slice.

Step 12

10. Hammer the copper flat to expand the edges and produce a larger circle.

11. Using metal cutters, cut three small slits from the outer edge in about a third of the way to the center.

12. Using pliers bend and twist the copper to form a rose.

Step 13

13. Apply Klyr fire fusing glue to the rose. Sprinkle red powder glass enamel to the copper rose through a small sieve.

Step 14

14. Place the rose on a metal mesh tripod. Heat the rose from the underside with an oxygen acetylene torch to melt the enamel. Let cool.

Steps 16-17

15. Cut various sizes of silver wire to form the links and jump rings. Form the wire into circles for the links with pliers.

16. Connect the links to the three cups using jump rings. Connect a t-bar clasp finding at one end and the matching closure at the other end of the bracelet.

17. Place the bracelet in a tumbler to polish.

Step 18

18. Mix two-part epoxy glue and attach the enameled red rose to the center silver cup of the bracelet. Let dry.

Jessie Turner, at the young age of 30, is already on her second career and much happier in her new found profession. She has always been interested in creative works, but in college decided to lean toward academic pursuits. Today she runs a small studio where she makes beautiful mixed media jewelry.

Website: www.jessieturner.ca