Ruffled edge treatment-Metal forming tutorial

Carol Dekle-Foss

Hello everyone! For this post I'm going to show you a simple way to create a cute ruffled edge on your jewelry designs. But first, I just have to share some of my favorite photos from a family trip to Arizona last month. Road trip anyone??

Sedona

Seven Sacred Pools, Sedona

 Arizona is amazing. It's the perfect place to recharge your batteries and find inspiration. If you haven't been, make sure to put it on the top of your list of places to visit!

 I picked up these lovelies at Dah Rock Shop in Tuscon, and they are what inspired this post on ruffles. Although, not a ruffle kinda gal, I was drawn to their curvy shape and wanted to accentuate them by creating a metal ruffled edge. I picked up this technique in my last metal smith class.

Here's the tutorial!

Ruffled Edge Treatment for Metal

What you will need:

Block of wood

Ruler

Bench vise

Cross peen hammer

files

Torch 

Sharpie

1. First, you want to cut a small piece of wood. Mine is about 2 1/2" by 1 1/2".

2. Then, mark your measurements according to what size you want your ruffles to be. My ruffles are tiny so I spaced them about 1/8" apart.

3.Using a three square file, file two grooves between your measurements.

4. First, anneal your metal to make it soft. Then, place it upside down in about a 45 degree angle to the wood block. Hammer lightly with the cross peen hammer. Not a very good pic, sorry!

Just keep hammering your piece along the edge until you are finished! You can create different size ruffles on all four sides of the block, and use them for all different types of applications!

Unfortunately, I am not loving the earrings. I think because I was more focused on ceramics,  I really didn't do my best on them. Oh well. The ceramics on the other hand, Wow! Our third batch turned out amazing!

 These are my favorite. Gorgeous earthy colors! Uh oh, I don't remember what glazes I used. I'm gonna have to start writing this stuff down.

Even hubby got involved. I am so proud of him! To be honest guys, he almost quit. He got so frustrated one day because he couldn't form the beads the way he wanted and threw them all over the studio! I held back from laughing and kept encouraging him. He is back on track, and looking to create more. Yay! I'm so excited he is involved and that we are learning ceramics together. 

I should have all of these listed to my website here by the end of the week. 

Thank you for reading!