Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant, Metalwork. Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing. .
Clamshell Earrings and Pendant
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Dapping, Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Making Loops, Oxidizing / Antiquing, Texturing
  • Skill Level: Intermediate

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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Dumorterite 8mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-160
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.40
  • Gold Club Price: $6.30
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Dumortierite 6mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-158
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.35
  • Gold Club Price: $5.51
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10mm wavy disks Copper
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
6mm wavy disks Copper
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
20 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-20D
  • Lesson Quantity: 12.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.49
  • Gold Club Price: $0.37
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Ear Wires Copper
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Pro Shear
SHR-544.00
  • SHR-544.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Marker -extra fine
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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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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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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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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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Nylon Bracelet Bending Plier
PLR-840.00
  • PLR-840.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.98
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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm
PLR-133.70
  • PLR-133.70
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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2 Ounce Rubber Head Hammer
G3-19
  • G3-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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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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Dimple Pliers - Hooked Jaw, 1mm (Black Handle)
PLR-726.15
  • PLR-726.15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Dimple Pliers - 3mm (Green Handle)
PLR-726.30
  • PLR-726.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
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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
Judy uses her Jewelry Component Templates for this project.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Templates
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Templates
Step 2
Transfer the designs to your sheet metal.
Step 3
Cut the shells out using your preferred method for cutting sheet metal.
Step 4
File any sharp edges.
Step 5
Use a 1.5mm hole punch to make holes in the center top of each piece.
Step 6
Decide on the position of the design elements you want for your pieces. Use an ultra fine point permanent marker to draw these lines on the front of each piece. Mark the center line on the front and back of each piece.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Copper sheet blanks.
Step 7
Place each shell shape on a bench block. Use the narrower side of the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture the outer edge on each shell.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Using Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture
Step 8
Use the larger side of the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer to texture the center area on each shell.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Using Mini TruStrike Embossing hammer to texture.
Step 9
The metal pieces will no longer be flat after texturing. Place each piece on a bench block and use a rubber or plastic mallet to flatten them.
Your shell pieces should look like these.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Using rubber or plastic mallat to flatten sheet.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Textured copper sheet.
Step 10
The first decorative dimple should be formed right on the center line above the last textured section. You may want to draw lines above the textured section to help with placement. Place the indented cup side of the dimpling pliers on the FRONT side of the metal piece. When you close the jaws of the pliers, the hook portion should be on the center line on the BACK side of the piece.
IMPORTANT: Use the 1mm dimpling pliers for the earrings and the 3mm dimpling pliers for the pendant.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Texturing copper sheet
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Texturing copper sheet with dimple pliers
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Texturing copper sheet
Step 11
To make each succeeding dimple out from center, place the edge of the indented side of the dimpling pliers jaw against the previous dimple. Your shell pieces will now look like those to the left.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Textured copper shapes
Step 12
Remove the marker lines from the pieces with an alcohol soaked pad.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Using nylon jaw bracelet bending pliers
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Using nylon jaw bracelet bending pliers
Step 13
Use a nylon bracelet bending pliers to shape each shell. Your shell pieces will now look like these.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Use a nylon bracelet bending pliers to shape
Step 14
Cut three 4" long pieces of 20 gauge wire. 1/2" in from one end, make a loop on each wire large enough that the shell component will move and freely swing. Slide the component onto the wire so it hangs in the loop. Finish the wire wrapped loop on each piece.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Making a loop with 20 gauge copper wire
Step 15
6mm beads and 6mm wavy disks were used for the earrings and an 8mm bead and 10mm wavy disks were used for the pendant. Slide two wavy disks, one bead and two wavy disks onto the wire. Finish with a small wire wrapped loop at the top.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, using 6mm beads.
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, 6mm beads and wavy disks
Step 16
Attach ear wires to the earrings and the bail to the pendant.
Step 17
You can leave your pieces bright and shiny or use liver of sulfur to patina your pieces. Buff with 0000 steel wool to bring out the dimension of your texturing.
Congratulations! You've made your first Clamshell Earrings and Pendant Set!
Judy Larson's Clamshell Earrings and Pendant - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Texturing, Using liver of sulfur.