Sunday, December 05, 2010

ArtBeadScene Holiday Ornament Blog Hop






Good Morning.  Here is my picture of my ornament for the ArtBeadScene Ornament Blog Hop. I have had a great time doing this and thank ArtBeadScene for making it happen.  I hope you will enjoy all of the other ornaments that are on display today.   Below I have included a tutorial for making my  ornament, in case you are wondering or want to try it out.  I don't seem to be able to get the links I copied to be live so please click on the banner at the right which will take you back to the Art Bead Scene where all the participants links are live.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
Participants
Creative Impressions in Clay

Diva Designs
Elysian Studios
Fab Fibers
For the Love of Beads
Humblebeads
Island Girl's Insights
Jangles
Jeannie's Blog
Lampwork Diva/Cindy Gimbrone
Mary Harding
Michelle Mach
Spirit Rattles
Wondrous Strange Designs

Holiday Ornament Tutorial

Materials
2  5/16 inch copper washers
1 7/16 inch copper washer
2 copper or brass jump rings about 8mm
4 inches of antiqued copper chain ( links should be able to be opened up, not soldered)
Design Stamps
2 inches 16 gauge copper wire
Sharpie Marker
000 Steel Wool
1 Christmas Tree Charm/Pendant  MaryHarding Jewelry.com

Tools
Drill
Metal stamps (decorative,or letter or both)
Vise
Chain nose pliers
Flush cutters
Tumbler or Polishing cloth
Ball peen hammer

Directions
1. Use decorative or letter stamps or both to decorate the surface of the three  copper washers.  I used a leaf pattern but you could also use letters to stamp seasonal words like Joy, Noel, etc.
2.Use the Sharpie marker to blacken your stamped impressions by going over them and pushing down on the marker to make sure all the impressions are colored.  (This is a quick and simple way to get the look of Liver of Sulphur.)  Let the marker dry thoroughly 10-15 min.  It will smear if not really dry.  You could use a hair dryer to speed it up a bit.

3.  Use the 000 Steel Wool to polish off the extra marker.  Then go over it with a polishing cloth.
4.  Make 1/16 inch holes in the 3 washers with your drill.  Put your holes at the 10AM and 2PM point on the 7/16 inch washer.  Drill one hole anywhere you want on each of the 5/16" washers.
5.  Cut a short piece of the 16 gauge wire, put it in your vise and make a nail head rivet.  Repeat 1 time.
6. Assemble the washers by putting the first rivet, nail head on the front of the 5/16 inch washer, and attaching the 7/16 inch washer behind it.  You will need an additional washer to support this uneven surface when you hammer the back of the rivet assembly.
7. Repeat step 6 for the second rivet washer assembly.
8. Tumble assembled washers for 30 minutes with a drop or 2 of Dawn Dish Detergent to polish it.

Assembly of Ornament
1.  Attach the Fir Tree ornament to the center ring  of the three ring washer assembly with a jump ring.
2. Attach each end of your chain to the smaller washers by opening up the chain links.
3. Find the center of the chain and attach a jump ring./ ( I had to put 2 links of the chain together on the jump ring to make it balance evenly.)
4.  Attach a Christmas Tree hook.
5.  Hang it on your tree or wreath and ENJOY

Thank you so much for stopping by. 
I wish you all very happy holidays.

23 comments:

  1. Ahh I look forward to see what people have made esp yours since your whetting the taste buds lol!
    Seasons Greetings Mary! ox

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  2. Can't wait to see it - I wimped out and couldn't come up with anything. But I'll be glad to visit all your blogs for some creative inspiration!

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  3. NOT FAIR NOT FAIR>>>>>
    :_D But can't wait to see it!!!!

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  4. Looks yummy already Mary!

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  5. Looking forward to seeing more, Mary! :-)
    Cindy

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  6. I love the idea of using copper washers in an ornament. Very clever!

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  7. I had a hard time chosing an art bead to make an ornament with. There are so many great beads. It was fun and I loved thinking about something other than a jewelry design. Your ornament is just beautiful. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  8. Anonymous7/12/10 09:49

    Thanks for the tutorial. Ah,Copper and ceramic, just a few of my favorite things. My ornaments on my tree are ALL handmade, nothing store bought. This would look great on my tree.
    Happy Holidays to you and yours, jeannie

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  9. This one really appeals to me, I love the little tree so much!

    Lynda

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  10. What a cute little tree! Really like the copper washers... mmm think I need some of those ... I'm sure I have a flat space somewhere that I could hide them!

    Wishing you a happy and safe Holiday Season!

    Islandgirl aka Lynne

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  11. Mary, your ornament turned out great. Love the washers. Question of the day~ where can you find copper washers? I went to my local hardware store and he looked at me like I had 3 heads.
    Merry Christmas!
    Tari

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  12. I love it Mary! So creative and beautiful. I'm so glad you joined in the fun today.

    Tari - you can find copper washers at Harbor Freight.

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  13. Just love this ornament Mary! Could I ask where on your website I can find the Fir Tree Pendant? I looked around and found lots of other tempting goodies but couldn't find one of those. Thanks too for the wonderful directions.

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  14. Love this Mary! Your tree is beautiful. And I love the way you constructed this so that it was more than just a simple wire hanger.
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  15. great idea using the three washers as a bar..love this little tree.

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  16. Mary, this ornament is so beautiful. I love everything about it from your own ceramic tree to the riveted washers. Thank you for the detailed instructions - I can appreciate how long this must have taken to write up for us. Now I'm going to go see....are there more trees available in your shop?? :-)

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  17. I love how you made your ornament! I have never riveted anything...but it sounds fun! Thanks for sharing your technique with us!

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  18. So Cool. I love your riveted copper washers!!

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  19. I love your ornament! Thanks for the tutorial, too!

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  20. Thank you all for your visits to my blog and your kind comments. This was fun. Happy Holidays to all.

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  21. Your ornament is beautiful! I love the stamped rings with the tree...awesome!

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  22. Love the ornament, Mary! I love all of your beads, pendants and toggles - makes me want to be a woodland fairy!

    :-) Cindy

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