Tie Clip Money Clip Bender Instructions

I'm always looking for easier ways to make things. This new tool is a Tie Clip Bender, but can also be used to form Money Clips.

There are similar tools, but this tool has an open channel and will allow multiple widths of blanks to be formed into a Tie Clip. Check out this video on how to use our bender. * Patent Pending.

You can find this tool in our ETSY Shop Gottagettadeal: https://www.etsy.com/listing/814351444/tie-clip-or-money-clip-bender

Enjoy creating!
Lizz

Ear in the Envelope Inc / Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Torch Time with Lizz Barnes: Learn to Soften Metal

This is a great video teaching you how to soften metal with a butane torch!

Watch and learn! :D

Visit our ETSY shop for Supplies
at www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Enjoy creating!
Lizz 

Safety Equipment and Metal Stamping Jewelry

 Safety Equipment and Metal Stamping Jewelry, what? why?

Passions, like metal stamping, may ebb and flow, 

but your body will be with you for your entire journey in this life.  

Taking care of it has to be a PRIORITY!

Here's a list of some helpful tips

1 - Safety Glasses - Always protect your eyes.  Jewelry making is close detail work, wearing a shatterproof pair of magnifying glasses is a simple and safe addition.

2 - Work Gloves - A thin pair of grippy gloves will save your hands.

3 - Ear Protection - You may not have thought of this one.  But constant hammering will eventually harm your hearing.  Protect it!

4 - Dust Mask - If you sand, it is best to sand under a trickle of running water.  But.... if you can't, you will want to protect your lungs from floating metal dust.

5 - Rubber Block - Many people don't realize that a RUBBER block under your METAL block deadens the sound of hammering, and relieves the stress on your joints when you hammer.  Be good to yourself add a Rubber Block to your metal stamping routine.

6 - Lighter Hammers or Brass Hammers - Constant hammering will eventually take a toll on your wrist, elbow and shoulder.  An 8 oz hammer has plenty of force for stamping.  Bigger is not better in this situation.
Brass hammers are softer metal than steel and will reduce the stress on your body.  Brass hammers will also reduce the stress on your stamps.

Remember, you've only got one body.  So take care of it!

Happy Stamping!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Create Contrast in Metal Stamped Jewelry

Check out this new video showing you how to CREATE CONTRAST

in your Metal Stamped Jewelry.

Hope this helps!

Enjoy Creating!

Lizz Barnes

Ear in the Envelope Inc

Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Setting Rapid Rivets in Leather Cuffs

Setting Rivets in Leather can be a challenge.  

But with a few tips you can succeed!

You'll need a Leather Cuff and an ID Tag with 2 holes.

The leather cuff I am using is 1/8" thick and the ID Tag is .063" thick.

Step One:  Flip the cuff over so you can make marks on the back.

Find the center of the leather cuff.

Step 2:  Center the Blank on the back of the leather cuff.

Step 3: Use a pen to mark the location of the holes.

Step 4: Use the smallest hole on a leather punch.  

Punch holes in the marked locations.

Step 5: Flip the cuff over to the front.  

Place the blank in the correct position making sure to line up the holes.

Place the post half of the Rapid Rivets through the hole.

***I use Mini Rapid Rivets for this project because the holes 

on the oval tag are about 1.5mm.  Because this is just barely long enough 

for the thickness of the metal, you will not be able to use a setter 

or the regular recommended process.

Step 6: Flip the cuff over and attache the rivet caps.  

Hammer the cap until you are sure that the two pieces are attached.

Make sure to use a hard steel hammer.

Step 7: At this time you can flip your cuff and over so the ID tag shows.

Use the large curved end of a chasing hammer to smooth the shape

of your rivet.  

****You will notice that the rivet will be flat or

may dome inward.  The is because we are not able to use the domed setter.

Since the rivet we are using is so short, we're trying to

squeeze every bit of length out of the post.

******You will notice that your blank is very flat.  

You can add a cure to the ID tag by using a curving block.

Step 8:  Flip the bracelet face down into the curve of the block.

Place the block on top of the cuff and hammer.

Double check to make sure that your rivets are still secure.

Voila!!!!  You have a beautiful ID Cuff!!!

All of these supplies are available in our ETSY Shop

gottagettadeal

click above to go to our shop

Enjoy creating!

Lizz Barnes 

Ear in the Envelope Inc