Thursday, January 04, 2007

Jennifer Rowland



Jennifer Rowland


1. Select coin for charm. Punch a small (1.6mm) hole in coin using Metal hole punch.

2. Take 3” piece of silver wire and roll a tiny loop on each end of the wire, rolling the wire in opposite directions.

3. Take the 14 gauge piece of copper and thread into the loop to test the fit of the copper within the silver loop. The loop should fit very snugly around the copper wire. You should have to gently twist the wire back and forth to get it to pass through the hole. Repeat on opposite loop. This step is very important in making a strong rivet on the coin.

4. Once you have determined that the hole of the spiral is the correct size, spiral each end of the wire spiraling the wire in opposite directions.

5. Using round nose pliers place the coiled wire on the pliers and fold the coil in half, making a ‘cuff’ for your coin. Line up the hole in the center of the coil, one on top of the other. Leave space to insert your coin.

6. Slip the silver cuff on the coin, line up spiral holes with hole in coin and insert 14 gauge copper. Trim copper within 1/16” on each side of coin.

7. Gently, using chasing hammer, tap on copper wire in a circular motion, creating a mushroom shaped head on each side of the wire. This will hold your cuff on the coin. Continue working until there are no more rough edges on the copper and the cuff is securely fastened to the coin. It should not move or wiggle at all. Take care not to hammer the silver spiral. Take your time with this step.

8. Choose a word or phrase to stamp on the copper washer with metal stamps.

9. Place one end of small chain on jump ring, thread on washer, place other end of chain on jump ring making a loop. Place jump ring on coin charm.

10. Attach jump ring to charm and add to bracelet or necklace.


Note: I learned this technique at my local bead store, Nomadic Notions, Austin, Texas.