Metalwork Jewelry Making - Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools at Michael's

As a jewelry maker, you may have considered metalwork a bit beyond your creative abilities? That's understandable, but Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools is trying to change that. They've created a jewelry making line that puts simple no-solder, metalwork techniques within your reach.

Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools are materials, tools and findings similar to those you would order from a jewelry and tools catalog, except you find them in your Local Michael's store. It's an exciting line of products to help aspiring jewelry artists master simple metalwork jewelry making techniques with a little bit of effort.

A Metalwork System

As a seasoned jewelry making instructor, I rarely talk about metalwork projects unless I'm in a hands-on workshop. It's difficult to convey in writing the proper technique, form and rhythm necessary to wield the jeweler's saw with confidence.

A dedicated self starter can always muddle through, but most jewelry making students need in-person coaching for a good beginning. Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools take that into account. The line offers cutting shears that are easier to use than a jeweler's saw and also decoratively shaped, pre-cut metal blanks in case you really don't want to cut metal at all.

To help ease your way into metalwork, Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools publishes a free work sheet also available at Michael's. The instructions will help sell their jewelry making line, of course; but they also provide some great ideas to jump start your creativity.

Jewelry designer, Mary Hettsmansperger, created 7 easy projects that will change your ideas about making jewelry. Her projects, along with Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools products, are a creative system that will allow you to make metal artisan design choices without spending years learning the how-to.

The Basic Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools

Metal Shears - Shears are easier than using a jeweler's saw for cutting metal. You use them just like scissors to cut the designs of your choice. You can't do the intricate work of a jeweler's saw, but most people don't want that any way..

Steel Hole Punch - These are like the manual punches mentioned in a recent article on metal stamping. This device has two sides that allow you to drill two different sized holes in metal. It's as easy as turning a screw.

Wood or Rubber Dapping Block - These cubes have several sizes of curved indentations. They come with 2 punches. You use the two together to dome a metal piece.

Ball Peen Hammer - One side of this hammer is curved for shaping metal. Use the other side for flattening wire.

Chasing Hammer - The Chasing hammer may be used for shaping and adding texture to your metal pieces.

Punches - Punches have designs on the bottom. Place the punch on your metal. Strike them with an even hammer blow, and transfer the design to your sheet metal.

Alphabet Stamps - This is a set of individual letters you use to add words to your metal work. It's like the one mentioned in Metal Stamping - Create Personalized Jewelry.

Anvil - This anvil is small enough to carry in a tool bag but big enough to use for most projects that require a metal block working surface.

The Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools line also includes basic pliers, a ring mandrel and a number of other jewelry tools.

The Basic Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools Materials

The line has a number of materials to create unique metal pieces:

Metal Grommets and eyelets

Brass finished, Silver finished and Copper finished metal blanks, pre-cut into decorative shapes for pendants, earrings and bracelets.

Jump rings

Aluminum and Copper Wire

Sheet Metal - 3 - 3X6 inch sheets of metal in 24 gauge Brass finished, Silver finished and Copper finished.

The original Jewelry Essentials line in Michael's (pale blue packages) offers a of variety of findings to finish your
metalwork projects.

Pricing

Years ago when I bought my first metalwork tools, I spent hundreds of dollars on just the basics. Imagine how excited I was to find the most expensive Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools items were 19.99. They did not have all the items in stock so it's possible there may be a few items priced a bit higher.

Still, you usually order similar metalwork products from a catalog. You pay shipping and wait days to receive them. With no shipping charges and instant availability, 19.99 is a pretty good price for a quantum leap in jewelry making creativity.

Source:
Visit to Michael's store
Jewelry Essentials Dapping Tools project guide