Thank you to everyone for leaving such lovely comments on these toggle clasps! I hope I have inspired you to create some of your own components, as well!
The winner of these two clasp is.... Kottage Kreations!!! I just checked out her Etsy shop, and she does beautiful things with metal!!
Kottage Kreations, please send me an email (pattivan@verizon.net) and include your mailing address and these toggles will be sent to you ASAP!
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I am sticking with my theme of textures in this post. I have been practicing just a bit with the rolling mill and I am getting a bit deeper impressions on the copper!
Now, I fully admitted to being a tool hoarder in my last post. Well, after I made a few 6" long pieces of textured copper, I set out to make some components to be finished with more tube rivets. Making the holes large enough for my copper tubing was cumbersome - lots of filing! I turned my head to one of the shelves sitting right next to my bench, and I remembered I had this large hole punch - I have had it for years and NEVER.USED.IT. Shame on me!
The link on the picture takes you directly to the RioGrande site. But, Amazon.com has it a few dollars cheaper, too!
When I bought this, it was under $30 - I spent more than that on my Swanstrom punch! I remember the day I received it. I was such a newbie with metal - it appeared heavy and clunky. I tried it once and put it right back in the box where it has remained. It comes with 6 different punch and dies for making various hole sizes. Well, the 3/32 size is nearly perfect for this size copper tubing to be used in tube rivets.
When I bought this, it was under $30 - I spent more than that on my Swanstrom punch! I remember the day I received it. I was such a newbie with metal - it appeared heavy and clunky. I tried it once and put it right back in the box where it has remained. It comes with 6 different punch and dies for making various hole sizes. Well, the 3/32 size is nearly perfect for this size copper tubing to be used in tube rivets.
It is very easy to line up the metal with the intended placement of the hole.
The absolute best part of this tool (which is so simple to use) is the release of the metal, once the hole has been punched. I get frustrated when the metal gets "stuck" in my "regular" hole punch (is this a user error???) Just lift the top handle - it pulls the metal with it, and then it promptly releases. Three quick swipes of the hole with my round file, and I am ready for the rivet!
So pleased with the results! I made 12 connector tabs from one 6" length x 7/8" width strip of textured copper.
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| Lapis and Sodalite gems |
I added just a slight curve to the tabs for added interest.
These tabs work great for earrings, too.
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| Sodalite gems |
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| Turquoise gems |
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| Lapis gems |
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| Ancient Roman Glass Beads |
I am thinking that a bracelet made with just the connectors would be lovely, too.
Have you discovered any new tools lately??? Please share!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
5 comments:
I'm ecstatic to win your beautiful toggle clasps Patti, thank you! Thanks for checking out my shop too! Yes, I can honestly say that I'm addicted to metal 😁
Hugs, and have a great week!
Patti, your tube riveting is suburb in craftsmanship! You have mastered this technique. My rivets never come out like that...you have inspired me to practice more! Thank you! Gorgeous work!
Patti, your tube riveting is suburb in craftsmanship! You have mastered this technique. My rivets never come out like that...you have inspired me to practice more! Thank you! Gorgeous work!
Great post Patti, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am spending my days beside Twila trying to comfort her and it brought me to a happy creative place for a little while. The connector links you created and the jewelry is all really outstanding. Thank you for providing links, I perused them and then of course got distracted by "similar items". ;)
I was in the hardware store picking up casters to put my metal table on wheels (locking of course!) when I spotted an eyelet tool for $1.98! It came with a pack of eyelets and I am excited to use it, but now in my mess I have misplaced it! I did just purchase an oval steel bracelet mandrel, a small anvil and...wait for it... a Flex Shaft! All at the Bead & Button. Now I need to get that table set up so I can actually USE all of those instead of leaving them to languish in a box! Thanks for your great show and share! Enjoy the day. Erin
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