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Description

Metalwork: Making Cold Connections with Rivets is a one hour DVD produced by Interweave and hosted by metalsmith artist Susan Lenart Kazmer. In this DVD, Kazmer demonstrates three standard riveting techniques and uses these in two jewelry projects. For those who aren't interested in torch work but want to learn how to connect metal to metal, cold connections is a wonderful alternative that can add a lot of character and dimension to your jewelry designs. Techniques The three riveting techniques demonstrated on the DVD include wire riveting, screw riveting, and tube riveting. Susan Lenart Kazmer shows each one and explains the use of specific tools, such as a jeweler's saw, flex shaft, and files, as she works through each method. All of these techniques use standard fabrication practices, but there is no need to use a torch. While I didn't find any of the methods she showed necessarily difficult as far as understanding how to do them, I can see that it would take practice. Kazmer warns about this, but also explains that like anything else in jewelry making, you will become more proficient with enough practice. Holes must be drilled through the metal and match up to each other so that you can insert wire and connect them together. Using the hammer to spread the ends of wire sections to create a kind of nail head is another part of the techniques she illustrated that would take some time to master. Projects While showing the three techniques, Kazmer shows how you can use these two make two different types of pendants. One pendant is primarily put together using the wire riveting technique and includes a colorful scrap of paper covered with mica between the two sections of metal. The other pendent uses screw and tube rivets to create a dimensional pendant and bail. She also shows a number of other pieces she has made using these methods so that you can get an understanding of the possibilities available.