Copper Name Bracelet

Very dramatic, huh? Apparently, this is the cover to a book. Conveniently named.

In completing this project, you will:

• Learn how to translate a drawn design into a viable piece of metal jewelry

• Improve your cutting, filing, and finishing skills• Master our daily classroom procedures, such

as finding tools, following written directions, getting help, and cleaning up

Project Description and Requirements

• Create a metal design from a 1x6 inch piece of 20 gauge copper.

• Design will be a stylized name. Letters will make up the design.

• Project will be neatly cut, filed, sanded, and buffed to a high mirrored shine on both front and back.

• Project will be bent into a bracelet.• Project must include both cutting and piercing.

Creating the Design

• Your design will be your name or word/words of your choice.

• The letters will need to overlap in order to have a sturdy finished project.

• You may choose to add designs at the end of a short name so that your project is the full 6” long.

• You may draw the letters out, or you can do them on the computer, then cut and paste them (manually, out of paper), to create your final design.

• You can place the letters either side to side or top to bottom.

Using Computer Lettering

• If you are printing letters on the computer, type out the word in several fonts and sizes on one page. That way you don’t waste 8 pieces of paper trying to print the right size.

• The one in the middle is just about the right height…but way too narrow. I’ll add on a line to make it wide enough for the 6” bracelet.

The letters need to touch to create one stable form.

• Cut the letters apart• Tape the letters

together• Fill in the gaps where

the form would not be sturdy

• Add design elements to ends to make a 6” long bracelet

Hand-Drawing the Lettering

• Draw a 1x6 rectangle on a piece of newsprint, and draw the letters and design elements inside the box.

• Be sure that all your design elements are attached so that your bracelet will be sturdy when cut out.

• Don’t use this technique if you can’t draw really great looking lettering. Use the computer instead!

1” high

6” wide

Have your design approved

• Bring your design to me and have me sign it off. I can usually tell you if there are parts that won’t be stable or show up when you’ve finished.

Trace your design onto vellum• Trace your design onto vellum using Sharpie.• Cut the vellum into a 1x6 rectangle to fit your

copper blank.• You’ll notice I flipped the black and white. In this

example, I’d be cutting off the black and leaving the white. You can color whichever way works for you…just remember which part you’re cutting off!

Attach vellum pattern to copper

• Use rubber cement to attach your vellum pattern to your copper blank.

• Remember to put rubber cement on both parts, let dry, then attach.

Cut out your design

• Cut out as closely as possible to your cut lines, but don’t go over them. If you don’t cut away enough, you can always file to the right spot. But if you cut out too much, there’s nothing you can do.

File• This step is often done too quickly, with

poor results. By the time you’re done filing, your bracelet should look like it was laser-cut by a machine. Plan to spend about a full class period filing to make your project look terrific. Of course, if you cut neatly to start, there will be far less filing.

• Use a block and clamp to hold your project when filing. File straight up and down. The file cuts on the down stroke.

Go in with your table group and buy a set of needle files for $8. You’ll use them on every project and life will be easier.

Use a bench pin for cutting, filing, and sanding.

Buff your

project• You’ll be buffing your project on both sides to a high

mirrored shine. The buffing isn’t hard—it’s holding the project that’s so difficult.

• If you have long, thin, or sharp parts, buff very carefully so you don’t rip your project.

• Hold your project securely against a piece of wood—either flat or rounded—and press firmly into the buffer.

• Use Tripoli to remove minor surface scratches, then red rouge to give a high mirrored finish.

If you don’t feel comfortable or don’t understand how to use the buffer, see me! It is the most dangerous piece of equipment in our classroom. Misuse can cause serious injury to yourself and your classmates.

Clean your project

• Buffing compound is removed by the ultrasonic cleaner.

• Any stubborn compound can be removed with a toothbrush and warm water.

• Rinse and dry well.• Give one final finishing with your Sunshine

cloth.

Bend your bracelet

• Bend around bracelet mandrel secured in vise.• Cover surface with an old folded Sunshine

cloth.• Use a rawhide mallet to round your bracelet

to your desired size.