“Artemis and Apollo” embossed-brass earrings made with the Vintaj BIGkick machine and Vintaj patina.
The Vintaj BIGkick embossing machine makes it easy and affordable to add detailed patterns to metal. With dozens of DECOemboss and DECOetch dies to choose from the pattern possibilities seem endless, plus you can finish the embossed blanks with color using Vintaj patina kits. Follow this free step-by-step jewelry-making tutorial to learn more.
Step 1: Gather together the supplies you will need to make Vintaj brass arrow earrings.
You will need the following supplies:
- Bead, Metal, Rondelle, 3.2mm (use 4 each)
- Blank, Arrow (use 1 pair)
- Chain, Footage, Flattened Cable, 1.9mm (use 12 inches; cut into two equal pieces)
- French Hook Ear Wire, Ball & Coil (use 1 red pair)
- Jump Ring, Round, 4mm (use 4 each)
- Patina Kit, Vintaj
- DecoEmboss™ Die, Filigree Garden
- BIGkick™, Vintaj® Edition by Sizzix® – Replaced by the Sizzix Big Shot Jewelry Studio Machine
- Tool, Lindstrom® Four-Piece Set
- Tool, Rubber Block
- Vintaj® Metal Reliefing Block
- Craft paint brush
Step 2: Place the Vintaj arrow blank in the embossing die; carefully position the blank to create your patterned design of choice. Close the DecoEmboss folder, being careful to hold the blank in its preferred position.
Step 3: Layer the DecoEmboss folder in the BIGkick tool in this order: platform, clear acrylic sheet, folder (this side down), and clear acrylic sheet. Turn the handle to feed the layers through the BIGkick tool.
Step 4: Once the DecoEmboss die has run though the BIGkick tool, remove the top acrylic sheet and folder. To remove the embossed blank, open the folder and flex it gently.
Emboss the second arrow blank by repeating steps 2, 3, and 4.
Step 5: Use a paint brush to apply Vintaj patina to the arrow blanks, mixing colors to obtain desired appearance. Set blanks aside and allow patina to dry.
Step 6: Place the embossed blanks on a rubber block with the patina side up. Use the coarser side of the Vintaj reliefing block to remove patina from the high points of the embossed blank.
Step 7: Once the patina is removed from the high points, use the finer sides of the reliefing block to polish the brass to a high shine.
Step 8: Turn the ear wire loop 90 degrees, open the loop and add the arrow blank. Cut the chain into two pieces staggering the length slightly. Add each piece to the ear wire loop and close the loop. Use jump rings to attach a bead to the end of each chain length. Repeat with the second ear wire.
Try making a variety of earrings; just follow these steps using the many shapes of blanks, styles of embossing folders, and colors of patina. And don’t forget to visit the Rings & Things Design Gallery for further inspiration:
Under my Umbrella Earring Tutorial
Into the Forest Earrings Tutorial
Fern Dangle Earrings Tutorial
Make things!
Mollie
1 Comment
Love the —-> arrow earrings!