Foldformed circle earrings

This instructable will show you how to make your own foldformed earrings with some basic tools.  The possible designs are endless!  

Step 1 Tools Needed

You will need the following tools to complete this project:
1) circle template
2) marker
3) files 
4) 0.4-0.6mm thick piece of coper
5) hammers - rawhide & metal
6) shears
7) anvil or steel plate
8) hole punch for piercing metal, drill or dremel
9) torch, kiln or natural gas stove to anneal copper

Comments

[CherylDunham]

Hi great earrings. I have a question. Why do you have the copper covers on the jaws of your vice? I assume it is for protecting other metal that you may clamp with it! Thanks

[dorseykm]

Thanks for commenting and the jaws of my vice are textured (not smooth & flat). if I don't want to imprint the jaw pattern on the piece I'm working then I have to protect the piece. I used copper because I had it available and rubber is another common material to use. One of the rules I learned for jewelry work is to protect your piece from any accidental marks.

[CherylDunham]

Thanks for your answer, it is as I had suspected. I think I need to cover mine, they are not smoothe either. Thanks again. CD

[TwistedJack]

instead of cutting out a copper sheet, have you ever tried smashing some pennies?

[dorseykm]

No, I haven't tried that. The pennies might be a little thick for foldforming which generally uses thin pieces of copper because the folding provides a lot of stiffness. I'd love to see pictures if you try this technique with a penny.

[sunshiine]

That is what I was reminded of also. Very pretty! Thanks for sharing your hard work!

[dorseykm]

Thanks & glad you like them.

[NaturalCrafter]

These ear rings remind me of precious sand dollars...So cool

[dorseykm]

Thanks for the compliment.

[ATTILAtheHUNgry]

Very cool. I did some metalworking in college, annealing and rawhide mallets and the whole shebang, and this brought it all back. nicely done earings.

[dorseykm]

Thank you & maybe this will encourage you to try metalworking again.

[kdisom]

Your earrings are beautiful ! !

[dorseykm]

Thank you.