Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant, Metalwork. Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. I'm using copper pipe for the body of this pendant.
Birdhouse Pendant
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Cutting, Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Making Loops, Making Spirals, Texturing, Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
I'm using copper pipe for the body of this pendant. You can find pipe in your local hardware store. Soldering experience is necessary to make this pendant.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-705.24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.43
  • Gold Club Price: $6.32
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20 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-20D
  • Lesson Quantity: 22.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $2.06
  • Gold Club Price: $1.54
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Bead Cap Copper 8mm
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
3/4 inch copper pipe 1/2 inch inside diameter
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15
G7-2
  • G7-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Jewlery Polishing Kit
G24-3-KIT
  • G24-3-KIT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $129.82
  • Gold Club Price: $97.37
Out of Stock
6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle
G14-7
  • G14-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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Marker -extra fine
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Deluxe Soldering Kit
G15-5
  • G15-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $116.97
  • Gold Club Price: $87.73
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24 Piece Dapping Punch Set
DAP-705.00
  • DAP-705.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $85.97
  • Gold Club Price: $64.48
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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand
HAM-520.70
  • HAM-520.70
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $140.54
  • Gold Club Price: $105.40
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Liver of Sulphur Gel, 2 Ounce Bottle
SOL-610.02
  • SOL-610.02
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Instructions
Step 1
Use a pipe cutter to cut one 3/4" long piece of 1/2" ID pipe for the pendant.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Copper pipe
Step 2
Hint: You may find it easier to texture the pipe tube if you anneal it first. Use an ultra fine point permanent to divide the 5/8" length of the pipe into thirds.
Step 3
Slide the pipe onto a ring mandrel.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Using a ring mandrel.
Step 4
Keep pushing the tube down the mandrel as you use the narrower side of the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture both ends of the pipe. There are many ways to hold the tube on the mandrel. Find one that is comfortable for you. Make sure that you turn the pipe tube around frequently on the ring mandrel. You will notice that the tube ends will flare out a bit, which is what you are aiming for. Texture until each end is a size 4 on the ring mandrel.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Copper pipe
Step 5
Use the larger side of the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer to texture the center of the pipe, keeping in mind that you still want both ends to flare out a bit.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Textured copper pipe.
Step 6
Remove the tube from the ring mandrel and anneal it.
Step 7
Slide the tube back on the ring mandrel. Use the narrower side of the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture both ends of the tube again. Make sure that you turn the tube around frequently on the ring mandrel. Texture until each end is between a size 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 on the mandrel.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Using a Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture
Step 8
Drag each tube end over a file to flatten the ends. After you do this, you can then file the ends and a slight angle to fit into the cupped ends. The fit does not need to be perfect.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Using a file to flatten copper pipe.
Step 9
Pickle the piece to remove the fire scale.
Step 10
Copy the one bail and two large circle templates.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Template for copper sheet.
Step 11
Transfer the designs to your sheet metal.
Step 12
Cut the circles out.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Copper discs.
Step 13
File any sharp edges.
Step 14
Use a 1.25mm hole punch to make holes in the center of each piece
Step 15
Use an ultra fine point permanent marker to draw a circle on each piece as shown.
Step 16
Place each circle on a bench block. Use the narrower side of the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture the outer edge on each circle. Use the larger side of the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer to texture the center area on each circle.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Using Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer
Step 17
Use an ultra fine point permanent marker to draw a wavy line around the edge of each circle. Use your metal shears to cut around the circle on the wavy line.
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Step 18
Use the Dapping Punch Set to dome each circle, textured side facing down. To preserve the texture, consider placing a piece of felt between the circle and the dapping block well. Start with the largest well and work your way down to a size that fits the textured pipe section to your liking. Note: Use a dap several sizes smaller than the block well so that the edges of the circles will be slightly rippled when you are finished.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Using Dapping Punch Set
Step 19
If too much of the dimple texture is no longer visible, place the domed circle on a dap and lightly add a bit of texture with the larger side of the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer.
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Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Using Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer to texture.
Step 20
Remove any remaining marker lines from the tube and end caps with an alcohol soaked pad.
Step 21
Once you have the fit you desire, connect the end caps to the pipe where the few points touch using your preferred soldering method. Note: You could glue the end caps on, if desired, but they may not hold as well.
Step 22
Ball the end of the 5" piece of 20 gauge wire to make a long headpin.
Step 23
Pickle and tumble the soldered "birdhouse" section and the headpin.
Step 24
Thread the components onto the balled headpin in this order: bead cap, soldered piece, bead cap. Make a wire wrapped loop at the top. Trim the wire end off. You could leave the wrap wire end long and make it into a tendril on the roof.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Attaching balled headpin and bead cap,
Step 25
Use the remaining 20 gauge wire to construct a rosette ring around the center of the pipe. There are many tutorials online showing how to do this. Place the center of the wire in the center front of the pipe. Wrap each wire end around the back of the pipe and then back to the front. Make your rosette to the size you desire. Note: You have enough wire to make 3 wraps, 2 are shown
Step 26
Cut the wire ends to a length of 1 1/4" beyond the edge of the rosette. Ball the wire ends. You could leave the wire ends long and wrap as tendrils up over the roof and/or down over the bottom.
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Finishing with copper wire.
Step 27
Use a round nose pliers to tweak and bend the "ring shank" wires on the back to tighten the rosette. Bend the balled wire ends in a pleasing manner.
Step 28
Pickle the piece to remove fire scale.
Step 29
Tumble the piece in steel shot to shine it up or use 0000 steel wool to polish it.
Step 30
Attach the bail to the pendant.
Step 31
You can leave your pendant bright and shiny or use liver of sulfur to patina it. Buff with 0000 steel wool to bring out the dimension of your texturing. Below, left to right, birdhouses from: Kathi Nelson, Carol Ericslon, Deb Carlson, Judy Larson.
Congratulations! Your pendant is ready to wear!
Judy Larson's Birdhouse Pendant - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Finished birdhouse pendants.