Leather Punch Jewelry with Proxxon Tools

Expand your craft and jewelry making with the Proxxon MICRO-Press. This leather punch bracelet will get you started.

Supplies and Equipment 

• Piece of leather long enough to go around the wrist; width of your choice
• Jewelry findings
• Proxxon MICRO-Press MP 120

Instructions

1. Make a pattern template and transfer the marking to the leather. I used a Sharpie to mark the holes and outline of the bracelet.
   
2. Load the appropriate size punch tool in the press. I'm using the 7/64" (3mm) punch. Align with the corresponding hole in the plate.
   
3. Lay the leather on the press plate and position so the punch tool punches the hole when the the arm is lowered.
   
4. Set eyelets at each end of the bracelet. Load the press with the 5/16" (8mm) punch and adjust the plate to a flat surface. 
   
5. Insert the eyelet in the hole, and press.
   
6. Attach the jewelry closure findings.
   

Carole

How to Make a Statement Piece of Jewelry

This piece of jewelry really does make a statement—as it should. Any statement piece is easy to identity because it is chunky, unique, and attention-grabbing. This statement necklace is meant to be the defining piece of your outfit. It will set you apart from the crowd.

Supplies for Making the Statement Necklace

• 2" x 10" x ¼" piece of MDF
• Four gold tone focal beads
• Eight 6mm glass beads in a color to coordinate with you choice of napkin
• Twelve 3mm to 4 mm glass beads in a color to coordinate with you choice of napkin
• 12" to 15" 24 gauge brass jewelry wire
• 14" to 20" gold tone jewelry chain (depending upon the length of your finished piece)
• One jewelry clasp with jump rings
• Gesso
• Mod Podge
• Napkin with design of your choice 
• Classic Gold Liquid Leaf by Plaid Enterprises
• Pattern for kite-shaped pieces

Equipment for Making the Statement Necklace

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E, Proxxon Table Saw FET, or Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E, Drill Stand MB 200 and Machine Vice MS 4

Instructions for Making the Statement Necklace

1. Prepare and mount the pattern on the 2" x 10" piece of MDF. To apply the pattern to the MDF, cover the MDF with painter's tape, spray the reverse side of the pattern with adhesive spray, and adhere the pattern on top of the painter's tape. The painter's tape allows for easy removal of the pattern. 
   
2. Cut the necklace pieces using either the band saw, table saw, or scroll saw.
   
3. Sand the edges of the pieces on the disc sander.
   
4. Measure and mark ¼" from the tip of the piece and half the width of the piece for drilling the hole to attach the piece to the necklace.
   
5. Mount the marked piece in the machine vise and attach to the drill stand.
   
6. Drill a hole for attaching the piece to the necklace.
   
7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for each piece.
8. Coat all pieces with gesso.
   
9. Using Mod Podge and a napkin with a design of your choice, napkin collage the front of each piece.
10. When the Mod Podge is dry, paint the edges and reverse side of each piece with Classic Gold Liquid Leaf.
11. String MDF necklace pieces, focal beads, and glass beads on jewelry wire, and form a closed loop at each end of the wire.
12. Attach 7" to 10" of jewelry chain to each end of the wire.
13. Attach jewelry clasp to the ends of the chain.
14. Wear your statement necklace, and enjoy all the compliments that you'll receive.
    

~Its Your Destiny~ Designing with Copper Disks and Proxxon Tools by Sherri Welser

~Its Your Destiny~ 

Designing with Copper Disks

In this new Design Team project for Proxxon Tools create these beautiful copper disks to add to any jewelry piece! I love to mix metals and had these 2 empty bangles that I had added verdigris patina to but didn't add anything else yet. I had a sheet of copper metal and decided to use my disk cutter to cut the round disks out and the Proxxon Drill Press ( TBM 115) to drill the holes for the jump rings. So lets have some fun making these unique copper disks!

~Supplies~ 

Proxxon Drill Press TBM 115

drill bits for the size of the hole you are wanting

Disc cutter for the circles

Copper sheet~24 gauge

Sizzix Big Kick for metal embossing

Embossing folders

Rust Patina

sand paper

jump rings ( 6 mm) approx 10-12

Assorted jewelry pieces, crystals,inspirational word charms,unique charms etc

Bangle of your choice to add the jewelry items  onto

1)Start by using the disc cutter to cut your copper disks. Lightly sand the sides smooth.

2) Using your embossing folder place the metal disc in the folder and roll through the Big kick.  

3) Apply the Rust Paste  to the discs and let dry

4)Using the Drill press drill small holes at the top of each disc and some at the bottom for added interest.

This rust paste is a very unique way to add rusty texture to the copper.

4) Add the jump rings to your jewelry charms and copper discs and attach to the bangle. If you have added an extra hole at the bottom of a disc then at this time add the jump ring and the crystal.

This is such a fun creative process to add something special to a plain ole' copper disc!

Have fun!

Engraved River Rock Jewelry

Making incredible pieces of jewelry using smooth river rocks is easy with the Proxxon Engraving Set.

I started with this smooth rock that I happened to find in our driveway. 

When drilling and engraving rocks and stones, keep a container of water at hand. Frequently dip the rock into the water to rinse away drilling debris and to cool the rock. Here's my set up:

I hold the engraver in my right hand and the rock in my left, with the rock supported on a towel. The towel absorbs excess water from the frequent dippings and provides a cushioned surface to work on.

You can draw your design on the rock with a pencil or freehand it. For this simple design, I chose to freehand it. Slow and steady is the key. The power of the engraver comes from the rotation of the bits, not from undue pressure. I used the corundum grinding bit that came with my engraving set. Corundum is second only to the diamond on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Even so, it does take patience to carve all the way through a rock.

This stone was about 1/4" to 3/8" thick, and it took me around eight minutes of drip in the water/drill, drip in the water/drill, and repeat to complete the top hanging hole. The three shallow holes will seat crystals—it just wouldn't be "me" without a bit of bling :)

With the drilling and engraving complete, I polished the stone with beeswax, using my Proxxon Profession Rotary Tool with a buffing wheel,  (Note: You can also use the rotary tool with appropriate bits to engrave and carve rocks.)

After the buffing, I used E6000 adhesive to set the crystals. Notice that I use a precision tip to dispense the tiny amounts of glue needed.

I'm quite pleased with my engraved river rock, and will be on the lookout for more appropriate stones to engrave and carve.

Carole

Colored Pencil Necklace

After making the doll-sized set of colored pencils for her American Girl doll, my grand daughter decided that she wanted something that would go along with Kit's pencils. So, we came up with this necklace.

Chloe picked out the colored pencils that she wanted, and I used my Proxxon scroll saw to cut 1 1/4" lengths from some old pencils. I set the guide on the scroll saw so each pencil piece would be exactly the same length.

Next, I used the Proxxon Engraver fitted with a 1/32" bit to drill a small hole in the end of each piece to accommodate a tiny screw eye.

I used jump rings to attached the pencils to a length of jewelry chain, and added a few beads from my stash to complete the necklace. Now, Chloe (the grand daughter) and Kit (the doll) can go every place in style.

Carole

Rockin' Necklaces

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today and I've been working with rocks. Yep, that's right.  Rocks. 

Supplies:

• Precision Rotary Tool
• Polishers
• Polishing Compound
• Earth Safe Finishes by Ann  Butler - Limelight, Sheer Copper
• Wire
• Ribbon

After washing and drying the stones, use the Precision Rotary Tool and assorted polishing bits with the polishing compound to polish the stones. 

 

Next, paint Iridescents on the stones to add color.  Iridescents have a rich, translucent color that looks amazing once dry.

 

Once the Iridescents dried, use the buffing wheel again to polish the stones.  This helps bring out the color and makes the rocks shine.

 

I used some wire to wrap around the rocks creating a pattern.  I am still getting used to wire wrapping, but I think they turned out ok.  I glued the wire to the back of the rocks to hold it in place.

Thread each rock onto ribbon or even some string for a more rugged look. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph