What's your connection...

As jewelry makers we have the option when fabricating metal pieces into jewelry designs to use "hot" or "cold" connections.

Hot connections require a flame...they are fused, brazed or soldered joins...cold connections are then obviously done without using a flame...they are mechanical methods of joining using rivets, tabs, screws/nuts/bolts, hinges, jump rings, staples, etc.

One of the most common cold connections is a rivet...a wire or tube rivet primarily. Wire rivets are fairly easy to fabricate especially with the use of a really cool tool known as a Slot Anvil or Riveting Stake.

A balled headpin is inserted into the closest size stake hole for the wire gauge, place anvil on bench block and tap the balled head with a rivet hammer to form a flat rivet head.

The anvil can also be used to protect a balled head rivet from being flattened while tapping the opposite end of the rivet. Place a piece of leather over the anvil & appropriate hole and place the balled end of the rivet into the hole cradled by the piece of leather. The ball will retain its shape as you tap, tap, tap securing the rivet on the other end.

I have found several examples of SATeam designs using rivets.

Featuring artisan handmade creations by the Etsy Starving Artists Jewelry Team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current Etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.