Easy Concho Bear Pendant Project Download

Description

Create this contemporary Southwestern pendant inspired by traditional Native American Jewelry. This piece expresses the beauty of endless miles of canyons, plains, and desert from the Southwest.

Required Materials:

• Wampum quahog shell Zuni bear
• 20 gauge sterling sheet
• 14 gauge round sterling wire; 2.5 inches
• Medium and easy solder

Tools:
Layout: Sketch or graph paper, fine tipped Sharpie, scissors
Fabrication: Variety of Native American metal stamping tools, jeweler’s saw, #3/0 sawblades, Burlife lubricant, steel bench block, planishing or chasing hammer, brass or heavy mallet, triangle needle file, bail making pliers (Wubbers), #2 and #4 hand files, center punch, large wooden – not metal – dapping block and punches, curved metal burnisher, magnification (CraftOptics)
Soldering: Soldering surface, fire brick, flux, flux brush, torch, pickle, copper tongs, quench water, solder pick, small crumbles of charcoal block
Finishing: Flex shaft or Dremel, #51 drill bit, 15 and 9-micron 3M finishing film, extra fine 3M sanding sponges, brass brush, Dawn detergent
Technique: Soldering, Sawing
Originally Published: Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, March 2015