Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings, Metalwork. Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill. My daughter designed a taco shaped purse which she teaches in her sewing class.
Taco Earrings
by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Lashing, Drilling
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
My daughter designed a taco shaped purse which she teaches in her sewing class. It has been quite popular and I wondered how I might piggy-back on her idea for jewelry. I hope you like and will enjoy making some Taco Earrings.

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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24 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-24D
  • Lesson Quantity: 18.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $1.11
  • Gold Club Price: $0.83
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16-gauge 6mm ID round Copper jump rings
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Sterling Silver Earwires 23mm w/Coil - Pack of 2
K19-53
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.28
  • Gold Club Price: $1.71
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Seed Beads size 11
  • Lesson Quantity: 20.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

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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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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Small Disc Cutter, 7 Pieces
DAP-400.10
  • DAP-400.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $46.95
  • Gold Club Price: $35.21
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1 1/2 Inch Mini Fixed Table Vise
G10-20
  • G10-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.27
  • Gold Club Price: $6.95
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Brass Hammer, 9-1/8 Inches, 3 Ounces
G3-20
  • G3-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.23
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Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters
PLR-133.50
  • PLR-133.50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.98
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Instructions
Step 1
Cut two discs from either 24g or 26g metal sheet using a circle disc cutter or pattern and sheet cutters.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, cut two discs
Step 2
Use a circle template to make three marks that are equal distance apart on the edge of each disc. Add additional holes between the top and middle and the middle and the bottom marks. Repeat for the second disc. Note: if you do not have a template, make a paper circle the same size as the discs. Fold the paper in half two times. Open it up and you will have folds that will show you placement for your marks.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, mark the discs
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, mark the discs
Step 3
Punch holes on one half of each disc where you will add embellishment. Use the marks made in Step 2 for the hole placement.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, punch holes at the marks
Step 4
Place the disc in the vise aligning it for bending exactly in half. Two of the opposing marks made in Step 2 will indicate placement. Repeat for the second disc. Note: (If you do not have a vise, bend the metal on the edge of a table.)
Use your finger to press the exposed part of a disc over until it touches the vise.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, insert the disc in the vise
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, bend the disk
Step 5
Hammer the crease and remove the disc from the vise. Repeat for the second disc.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, hammer the crease
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, hammered creases
Step 6
Insert a jump ring through the top hole of each disc. Remember you are making mirror images.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, insert  jump ring
Step 7
Cut a piece of 24g round wire about 4 ½ times the diameter of the discs. Create a large enough swirl on the end of the wire that it will not pass through the top hole of the disc. Repeat for the second disc.
Insert a swirled wire through the hole at the top of each disc with the swirl on the inside of the taco. Make sure you are making mirror images.


Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, make a loop
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, insert the wire
Step 8
Start embellishing your taco by putting two or three beads on the wire. Push the wire through the next hole from the inside to the outside of the taco. Push the beads to the inside of the taco. Continue this procedure until you have added beads and gone through all the holes.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, add beads
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, add beads
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, add beads
Step 9
Secure the end of the wire by wrapping it through the last circle two more times and then flush cutting it. Repeat for the second disc making sure you are creating a mirror image of the first disc.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, secure the wire
Step 10
Fold the taco and add ear wires. Patina the earrings if desired.

Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, fold the metal
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s Taco Earrings - , Metalwork, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Drilling, Drill, finished taco earrings