This pressing is called “Cowgirl Rustic“ because it has design elements that mimic rustic hand tooled leather designs commonly found on Western saddlery and other items like Western belts and boots.
 
The pressing provides you with a cuff bracelet pattern that is 1-3/4" wide and 5-13/16" long, two sets of large pendants or earrings that are 1/2" wide and 7/8" long, and two sets of small earrings or pendants that are 3/8" wide and 5/8" long. There is a laced border around all of the patterns. There is also a set of star conchos that can be cutout in a strip and used to make rings, hoop earrings, or dangles for earrings. The strips of star conchos are 1/4" wide and 2-1/8" long. All pendants and earrings have optional hanging loops.
 
PROCESS FOR MAKING A CUFF AND COMPONENTS:
We recommend adding patina to the whole pressing before you saw out the pieces because it’s much easier to buff as one piece instead of multiple small pieces.
 
First scrub the surface of the metal using Dawn detergent and a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Then apply patina following the manufacturer’s instructions. Midas Gel Liver of Sulfur works great for copper and Gosiba or Jax Silver Blackener work well for silver.
 
After applying patina, use a 240 grit nail salon buffing block or 1000 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the raised areas to highlight the details.
 
Once you’ve finished buffing the raised areas, polish the whole surface of the pressing using an electric polishing machine or hand polish with a Sunshine polishing cloth.
 
Next, simply cut around the outside of the patterns with a jeweler’s saw. Use a file to smooth the edges and round the corners. If you have a small bench top belt sander or JoolTool, both work great in place of using a file and take less time and energy.
 
Next, drill holes in the pendant and earring loops, and use a small round needle file to smooth the inside edges of the holes. Then form the cuff bracelet on a bracelet forming mandrel or a Joni’s Bracelet Bender available from Daniel Urrea at urreascreations.com.
Finish your pieces by adding ear wires, jump rings, and chains!
 
With Metal Maven’s patterned metals in your metalsmithing tool kit, your jewelry pieces will be transformed with added interest, detail, character, and charm!