{"product_id":"copper-autumnal-leaf-earrings","title":"Copper Autumnal Leaf Earrings","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese autumnal leaves were created in copper and made into earrings but you could just as easily make one and use it as a pendant or charm. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a simple design to try out some basic cutting and metal work skills with dramatic results.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe simple earwires were created from 0.8mm copper wire but any metal wire could be used for a mixed metal look.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe gorgeous colour and patina was created by using heat from a gas torch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese earrings can be made any size you like, however the measurements given below will create earrings 9cm in length (including earwires)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep By Step Instructions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart by cutting two 4cm x 2cm rectangles in copper using your \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trends-collections\/kernowcraft-favourites\/item\/saw-frame-c1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003epiercing saw\u003c\/a\u003e and smooth any sharp edges with a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/set-of-needle-files-c5\" target=\"_blank\"\u003emetal file\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFold the rectangle in half along the length so it measures 4cm x 1cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMark the centre line on your copper rectangle from top to bottom then hold in a vice along the line and hammer over until you have a right angle, you should now be able to hammer the piece flat on your \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/steel-bench-block-c184\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esteel bench block\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDon't worry about the dents that your hammering has created as this will add to the texture of the leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce you have flattened both pieces you can start to cut the shape of the leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith the rectangle in front of you and the folded edge on the left, draw a curved line along the top and bottom corners of the right-hand side - going from left to right.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou can now remove the corners with your saw and use a file to remove sharp edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow to start texturing your leaf. Hammer along the folded edge from top to bottom until you get a tree bark-like effect using the chisel end of a jewellers hammer or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/jewellers-hammers\/item\/cross-pein-hammer-c299\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ecross pein hammer\u003c\/a\u003e, this will create the spine of the leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/jewellers-hammers\/item\/jewellers-hammer-c76\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ejewellers hammer\u003c\/a\u003e is lightweight and will leave fine lines. The cross pein hammer is heavier and will give deeper lines and a heavier bark effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou may need to anneal (soften) your copper at this point - if you find the copper harder to hammer and texture, this is because you have work hardened it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing your gas torch and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/soldering\/item\/soldering-block\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esolder block\u003c\/a\u003e, heat the copper until it softly glows red and then quench in water to cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContinue to add texture to your leaves, on both the front and reverse of each leaf. We used various size doming punches to create dips and raises in the copper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNext, you need to open the folded metal, (we used a small screwdriver wrapped in cloth) and then we continued to texture on the inside with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/doming-punches-set-c40\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: initial;\"\u003edoming punches\u003c\/a\u003e and the ball end of a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/jewellers-hammers\/item\/repousse-hammer-c77\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: initial;\"\u003erepousse hammer\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe then hammered along the edges of the opened leaf so it created a wave effect - using \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/ring-pliers-c42\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: initial;\"\u003ering bending pliers\u003c\/a\u003e to curve the edges of the leaf to resemble a more natural, rustic leaf shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo remember if you feel the metal getting harder to work with, anneal it again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrill a hole in the top of the leaves. This can be done with either a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/dremel-4000-multi-tool-with-flexible-shaft-45-accessories\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDremel Multi Tool\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/hand-drillstock-c110\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehand drillstock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/twist-drill-bit-for-drilling-metals-c162\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e1mm twist drill bit\u003c\/a\u003e- file and smooth hole as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo create colour on the leaves, use a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/soldering\/item\/jewellers-gas-torch-c181\" target=\"_blank\"\u003egas torch\u003c\/a\u003e and apply heat - use a small flame and keep moving it over the metal - this will result in some fantastic colours. Moving the flame nearer and further away will create deeper colours in the middle and lighter colours towards to outside.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce you have created a colour you are happy with douse the piece with a wet cloth to halt the colour change.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you then change your mind and want to alter the colour, use some \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silversmithing-and-tools\/all-silversmithing-tools\/item\/sample-pack-of-6-grades-of-polishing-papers\" target=\"_blank\"\u003epolishing cloths\u003c\/a\u003e to remove most of the colour and start again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the earwires cut two 9cm lengths of 0.8mm copper wire and create a loop on the bottom of the wire for attaching the jump rings onto.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNext gently bend a 45-degree angle approximately 3cm from the loop that you have just made with snipe nose pliers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a cup burr, burr the end of the longest length to make it smooth for pushing through the ear. You can also twist or hammer the earwires as this will work harden them which will help them to maintain their shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce you have created your leaves, jump rings and earwires all that’s left to do is put it all together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen one jump ring by twisting the end of the joins away from each other with pliers, add the leaf and close the jump ring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNext open the second jump ring, attach the earwire and the first jump ring which is attached to the leaf and then close the jump ring to finish your earrings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe suggested products used in this project are suggestions to inspire you. Products used were compatible at the time of making but do be aware that gemstones are natural and hand cut stocks can vary, so do use your own common sense as to the compatibility of each item when making.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kernowcraft Rocks \u0026 Gems","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52677399380315,"sku":null,"price":13.24,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0977\/2112\/3163\/files\/28565.webp?v=1774705763","url":"https:\/\/www.kernowcraft.com\/products\/copper-autumnal-leaf-earrings","provider":"Kernowcraft Rocks \u0026 Gems","version":"1.0","type":"link"}