Riveted Flower Necklace

I have another riveted metal project for you to check out today for layering metals and creating dimension.  I made up this necklace for my daughter – who was totally thrilled with it, by the way!  There are a few techniques I am going to show you, and you can combine them in any way you like to make your own stamped and riveted piece.

The links below go to Goody Beads, and if you make a purchase through them, it helps my blog at no extra cost to you.  So many of you ask “where can I find this stuff?” and Goody Beads has an awesome metal-worked jewelry supply section.

• Bench Block and Hammer
• Design stamp – this 3mm heart is from ImpressArt’s new Juniper font set, but any design you love will do
• Crystal Rivets
• Rivet setter and rubber block
• Large hole punch to make a 1/8″ hole
• 1″ Round aluminum bank
• 15/16″ Flower blank
• Dapping Block
• Optional 3.7mm eyelets and eyelet setter tool for finishing your hole
• Small hole punch for a 3/32″ hole (to accomodate eyelet – otherwise any size unfinished hole is fine)
• Jump rings and 18″ chain

First, I stamped the petals of my floral blank with the 3mm heart.  This was a really nice size design stamp to get a good, clean impression.  If you haven’t done any stamping and you’re looking for more information on getting started, I have an in-depth beginners metal stamping tutorial with supplies, techniques, and even a video you can check out.

Next, I punched a 1/8″ hole in both my flower blank and the round blank.  I also punched a 3/32″ hole at the top of the circle, for stringing it.

Next, I finished the stringing hole with a 3.7mm eyelet.  Eyelets are an easy way to finish raw holes in a professional-looking way – you just set the setter base on your bench block, add an eyelet, and then place your piece.  Position the setter tool on the small end of the eyelet, and tap the top of it with a hammer a few times (it usually takes me 4-5 taps).  You’ll end up with an eyelet curved over both sides of your blank.

Next, I put the flower in the dapping block, and domed it.  This makes the petals stick out and gives the necklace a 3-D effect.  Then, I assembled the two pieces together with a crystal rivet.

Using a crystal rivet here is a little more tricky than a metal rivet, because you need to place the crystal side against a rubber bench block to absorb the strike without cracking.  I achieved this by positioning it face down on the corner of the block, allowing the raised petals to hang over the edge of the block.

I don’t have really good step-by-step photos on this project, but if you want more detail, last week I just posted a bracelet with crystal rivets, so you can look at that in more detail if it’s still not clear from my explanation.

All that’s left now once it’s assembled is to add a rump ring (or two, or a split ring – totally your preference. I like the look of two rings) and then string it on a 18″ chain.  If you’re not using a pre-assembled chain, you will also need to add a jump ring and clasp at the end of your chain.

Then, just enjoy the 3-D effect!  This metal isn’t thick, so the flower can spin a little.  (If you don’t care for that, you can add a second round blank in between to tighten the rivet’s hold.)  I know this is more a spring style, but my daughter just LOVES this all-girly design. :)