Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes

by Judy Larson

Like many jewelry makers, I use a LOT of tape and store it in one of the deep drawers of my work desk. This is the only drawer in the work desk that is regularly cleaned and not over-stuffed. Because tape is "sticky", dust and other contaminants introduced to the drawer could attach to the tapes and interfere with the adhesive qualities. The only other things stored in the drawer are my dust masks.

Instructions

Painter's tape is a staple in every jewelry maker's toolkit. While we may use it for different reasons, none of us want to be without it.

It would be great if painter's tape came in various widths, but a craft knife with a retractable blade can easily cut through the roll to create the widths you need.

Here, a 1" wide roll is cut into ¾" and ¼" widths.

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , tool tip indispensable tapes

Tape dispensers are a must-have for me. I gift all the jewelry I make, so I create a lot of gift packaging using clear double-sided tape.

Recently, I received a broken labradorite cabochon in an order. The flash was too pretty to lose, so double-sided tape held it together on a card until the glue set.

I plan to design something to cover the seam, but I won't gift this piece since it's not in pristine condition.

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , Vintage maps and script with floral

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , vintage or scrapbook aesthetic

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , stabilize the stones on the paper

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , gemstone resting on a pink surface.

Clear tape is used as a bead stop at the end of bead stringing wire as well as on the ends of bracelet elastic while designing.

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , bracelet

Clear packing tape adhered to both sides of a design on a piece of paper can make the paper stiff enough to turn into a template or stencil when cut out.

It will not last forever, but if a design will only be used a few times, it will be fine.

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , crafting process

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , exquisite bracelet

With the backing still on, cut a piece of opaque double-sided carpet tape to the desired size.

Stick it to your work surface before removing the backing trying to peel the backing off first is very frustrating!

This tape offers just enough grip to gently hold a piece in place while you work.

Because it's opaque, it's easy to see and find a corner to lift when removing it from the surface.

Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes - , General Education, , backing paper from a sticker adhered

Finger-protecting tape is sticky but not too sticky. Wrapping it around your fingers helps you grip small parts more easily.

When using a flex shaft to file or polish, pieces can get very warm. The tape cushions your fingers against the heat and protects your skin if you get too aggressive while filing or sanding.

The tape ends disappear when wrapped around fingers, so I use scissors to remove them. Finding the tape's end on the roll is often hard, so I fold it over three times to make it easier to find.

Another great idea from Carol, my proofreader, is to use a large paper clip or the plastic tab from a loaf of bread stuck under the tape's end to locate it quickly.

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

Finger Pro Tape - 1

POL-255.00

POL-255.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.95
Gold Club Price: $2.21

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Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together

G13-5

G13-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.97
Gold Club Price: $4.48

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Beading Scissors

SCI-105.00

SCI-105.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $10.95
Gold Club Price: $8.21

Add to Bag

Clear packing tape

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Double-sided foam thick tape

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Opaque double-sided carpet tape

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): General Education

Reviews

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes

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