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  • Metal and Resin Bracelet
    		•
    From "Crafters Coast to Coast"
    episode HCC2C-125F


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    Project by Andrea Janosik of Brooklyn, N.Y.

    Andrea spends her days at a jewelry company sketching designs. But by night, she brings the pictures in her head to life with her own jewelry, as we see with this metal and resin bracelet.

    Materials:

    sterling silver (sheet; tube; round wire)
    rubber tube
    non-hardening [lasteline
    pouring resin
    liquid rubber for molds
    epoxy glue

    Steps:

    1. To create two domed discs: Cut two round discs from sheet metal using a jeweler's saw and smooth out edges with a file.

    2. Hammer discs into domes (figure A) using a dapping block and a punch. Smooth out edges with sandpaper (ready-made domed discs can also be purchased through jewelry supply stores or catalogues).

    3. To create a rim for the first dome: Wind wire around a mandrel and cut one ring with the saw. Solder the two ends together and then solder the entire ring onto the edge of the dome.

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    Figure A
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    Figure B
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    Figure C
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    Figure D
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    Figure E
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    Figure F
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    Figure G
    4. To create attachments for the first dome: Cut two pieces of silver tubing with the saw and solder on top of the rimmed dome (figure B).

    5. Pierce holes into the second dome with a small drill, and cut out cell-like shapes with the saw (figure C). File edges. Note: Above steps can be repeated to make more two-domed shells, or molds and castings can be done by a casting company).

    6. To create endcaps: Cut four more pieces of silver tubing and solder one side of each onto sheet metal. Cut around the tubing to remove excess sheet metal and smooth out with file.

    7. To shape the bracelet: Cut two pieces of round wire and push them all the way through the rubber tube; bend both by hand over a mandrel into a cuff bracelet shape.

    8. Using first a felt wheel and then a buffing wheel, polish surface of the domes and endcaps.

    9. Wash with warm water and soap to remove polishing compound (silver components can also be hand-finished with sandpaper for a brushed surface).

    10. To make a plasteline mold for the resin model: Press pierced dome into soft plasteline and scoop out 'bubbles' through the openings with a small rounded spatula (figure D).

    11. Mix liquid resin in a plastic cup (add pigment if color is desired) and pour up to the edge of the pierced dome sitting in the plasteline (figure E). Let harden; then remove the resin model out of the dome and clean away excess plasteline.

    12. Make a rubber mold for further resin pieces: Place resin model into a small shallow container with the flat side sitting on the bottom. Mix liquid rubber and pour into container (figure F). Let harden. Remove the rubber mold out of the tray, and the resin model out of the rubber.

    13. Mix liquid resin and pour into the rubber mold; let harden, and remove new resin piece (figure G).

    14. To assemble pieces: Slide the rubber tubes through the attachments on the first dome, rim facing up. Place pierced dome over the resin piece and snap into the rimmed dome.

    15. Glue endcaps on the four ends of the rubber tubes.

    Website: www.janosikny.com

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  		• Metal and Resin Bracelet
  		• Suede and Metal Necklace
  		• Two-Color Silkscreen Print
  		• Metal Lamp with Handmade Muslin Shade