ObjectsandElements.com

Remember Charm Holders?

Remember Charm holders?    I had a lovely silver one with some fun charms on it back in the 80's...Here is a really simple and updated version, all these charms were on my workbench and needed someplace to go...

                                      

The charms are made from Objects and Elements items:  sparkling orb, bronze jack, magnifying glass and a random number five from my stash!  

Start with a 6- inch piece of 10 Gauge Bronze Wire  which compiles the top portion.  I like heavy wire and how strong it looks.  Bend in half and tap with a hammer to get a tight bend at the top. Anneal the wire by heating to glowing and quench.  This will soften it so it's easier to shape.

 

Pull out the wings of the wire and start to shape.  It's easier to shape if you draw it out so you can follow the lines and get it even.  Use your fingers and a pair of chain nose pliers to shape and form it.

Make sure that the sides are similar in shape...trim the ends.

                                          

Tweak it open like a jump ring and flatten the end pieces with a chasing hammer so you can drill them.  This is tricky and I find turning my bench block on end helps.  Get them as thin as you can so you can drill a hole.   Lay the whole piece flat on the broad side of the block and flatten all except the little tabs.

                                                 

Of course I grabbed my handy hole punch pliers to make the holes....

                                        

ooops....I didn't double check to make sure the ends were large enough to use the pliers on.  A better choice would have been to tap lightly with a center punch--my oft used $3 tool!  Drill with the smallest drill on your bench.  

Using the chain nose pliers and a pair of round nose pliers make the hoop with a loop at the end. Use 18 gauge bronze wire and heat a bit to darken to match the top and the charms.

I used  our new braided brass chain to hang the charm holder on and left it nice and long.  It looks great and I can easily change the charms to match what I'm wearing.  Have fun hanging your vintage finds, handmade glass or PMC pieces!

Leave a comment to register for our drawing for the overflowing stash!  We had a lucky winner last week who got a free pair of hole punch pliers....Please use the link above to sign up for our newsletter for more fun projects and coupons...Linda

 

 

Pinterest...joy

I love Pinterest, it allows me to collect inspirational photos and save them In "little books" for my viewing pleasure!  You can follow me here:   Pinterest Link .  These are some of my favorite pins this week.  I'm obsessed with the work of  Andy Cooperman as I just took a class from him and got to touch and feel his amazing work!  Here are some teeny photos of one of some of my favorites...love the red patina...check out Pinterest for much better photos of all these great artists.  

 

 

Susan Remnant

Jan Smith 

and of course the delightfully twisted mind of Keith LoBue

 

I can't get nice sized photos of all this great work but of course the pliers are gigantic!  I definitly have tech issues....the winner of the hole punch pliers from last week's comments is Sweet Freedom...congrats!  you will love these pliers and use them for many things~!!

 

Cold Join Pin Back

 

                                           

The back of the pin above is made as a cold join connection.  I drew a pattern so I could make sure I got it straight then I just cut out the tabs with a jeweler's saw before I joined the front and back.  Bend the tabs up and punch with a hole punch plier.

A trick I learned in my advanced metalworking class this summer was to take my nickel silver wire and twist it to harden it and make it springy for a pin.  I put the end of the 16 gauge nickel silver wire in my flex shaft and held the other end with a pair of pliers with teeth and turned it on slowly.  The twisting helped work harden the wire.  I let it go around 10-15 times but I'm sure it depends on the gauge.

 

 Make nice sharp corners with a pair of square nose pliers and thread through the holes in the tabs. This is where I am glad to have Hole Punch Pliers  on the work bench as it is so easy to make the holes in the tiny tabs....slightly round the lower tabs to catch the pin.

 

Because I'm planning on using this on my sweaters I rounded the ends rather than sharpened them like a pin.  Can't wait for some weather cool enough to try it out!  

                                              

Leave a comment and I'll draw a name to win a pair of hole punch pliers!!   Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter as there are more projects and ideas and all the website discounts and sales...Linda