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Cut-Out Stencils

By on August 5, 2016
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by Judy Ellis, Wirejewelry.com

Wire Jewelry Tip for August 5th, 2016

Cut-out Stencils

by Sarah Thompson

Our quick tip comes to us today from Sarah Thompson about using cut-out stencils for consistency in your wire shaping.

Sarah Says:

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I was at a local gem show a couple of years ago and came across a lapidary tool booth.  They had plexiglass stencils to make cabs.  In a bin next to the stencils were the cut-outs from the stencils going for $.10.  I rummaged through and found several shapes that I liked in different sizes.

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These cut outs are great to use to shape wires that would otherwise be difficult to get whether it is symmetrical or adding a unique shape within the design that you need two of.  I leave the protective paper on the plexiglass so I can see the shape easier at a glance

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I hope that you have enjoyed this tip from Sarah. If you’d like to read more of Sarah’s posts – CLICK HERE!

Happy Wrapping!

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6 Comments

  1. avatar

    Richard Canary

    August 5, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Thanks for tip, Sarah. It gives me another use for my forming stencils.

    I use a similar product for patterns, but it has no paper protection on it, which I find helpful. I can see through it to whatever I place it on. I use the stencils to choose various areas of randomly stressed and marked metal sheets that I want to cut out, so that I know exactly what will be included when I cut out the metal.

  2. avatar

    deb

    August 5, 2016 at 10:14 am

    i enjoyed your tip and am interested. do you perhaps know where one can
    obtain these kinds of stencils other than at a booth/fair/show? thanks again for the tip. deb

    • avatar

      Sarah Thompson

      August 25, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      I don’t but I would contact places that sell or make the stencils and see if the sell the inserts. Etsy might be a good place as many sellers their make their own and should have them available.

  3. avatar

    Carol

    August 5, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Good for you, but where do I get the cutouts?

  4. avatar

    Dr JE Bateau

    August 15, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    I find this interesting, it is a subject that comes up repeatedly in almost every art form. We can find these kinds of stencils actually in some very surprising places, for very low to practically no cost, by just looking around us. They may not always be flattering to look at, but neither is my bracelet forming tool, which is really the handles for an axe. and a baseball bat. There was no need to purchase en expensive metal model to mold my bracelets on, when these two items worked just as well, and were readily available. Many things, such as doll rods, and the plastic shapes that I used in school for geometry and trigonometry, I have used as stencils in my art work, and in jewelry making, but also the lids to coffee cans, and other things can also be used, and there are many other things around you house that will have the shapes that you need. Perhaps not all of them, but many of them. So before you spend a great deal of money on expensive stencils, and they can be expensive in the art world, look about you. The world is full of great shapes that can be used.

    • avatar

      Sarah Thompson

      August 25, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Yes I agree, I have many thing from around the house that I use. When I came across this item at the fair I couldn’t pass up. You can’t beat .10 cents a piece.