Learn How to Cold Connect Metals – Bee Cuff Tutorial

Learn how to cold connect metals with some basic jewelry making skills.  Cold connecting is a term used to describe joining pieces together without a heat source, such as a soldering torch.  In this tutorial, you will learn how to use bending pliers, hole punch pliers and flush cutters to join together metals with micro screws.  Once you have the basic tools, and understanding of how to use these tools, the scariness of not knowing will dissolve and you will be well on your way to cold connecting.  Enjoy!

Instructions For Cold Connecting Metal Bee Cuff

What you will need:

• 1 Cuff Bracelet Leather 1-1/2” (cbl1.25-b)
• 2 Brass Stamping Birch Leaves (mebl-bb)
• 1 Brass Stamping Grande Bumblebee (megbb-b)
• 8 Micro Screw & Nut Set (msns-cb)
• G-S Hypo Cement (gs-hypo)

Tools Needed:

• Hole Punch Pliers 1.8mm (plhp18)
• Bending Pliers (pl574)
• Flush Cutters Pliers (plfc)
• File or Emery Board (yep as in doing your nails)

Step 1:
Using a pair of Nylon Jaw Bending Pliers, carefully bend the 2 pieces of Nunn Design Brass Stamping Birch Leaves. I like to start on one end and crimp down from one end to the other until they are smoothly curved.

Step 2:
Using Hole Punch Pliers, punch three holes into the Brass Stamping Birch Leaves  – one hole on three separate leaves. Once both of the Leaves are punched, place them on the Leather Cuff Bracelet and determine where you would like your center point to be.

Step 3:
While holding one of the Leaves in position; use the Hole Punch Pliers to create a small indentation onto the Leather Cuff Bracelet. This indentation will indicate where to punch the leather. Remove the Leaves and punch through the Leather Cuff Bracelet with the Hole Punch Pliers.

Step 4:
Thread the Micro Screws through the Leaves and Leather Cuff Bracelet. Attach the nut onto the back. To make sure that the bolts don’t come undone with wear and tear, I use a dab of G-S Hypo Cement Glue. I place a couple drops right at the base of the leather/screw shank and tighten the nut down into it.

Step 5:
Using a pair of Flush Cutters, trim the excess shank of the screw. Make sure to hold the shank in your fingers when cutting. I almost put my photographer’s eye out with this cutting job! Sorry Melissa!

Step 6:
Using a file, or in my case, an emery board from my purse, file down the cut end of the screw until smooth.

Step 7:
Repeat steps 3-6 to attach the other Brass Stamping Birch Leaves onto the other side.

Step 8:
Using the Hole Punch Pliers, punch two holes into the Brass Stamping Grande Bumblebees. It may indent the bee a wee bit, and in all honestly, I had my husband drill me a couple holes on mine. You may need to trim away any spurs on the underside of the bee with your Flush Cutters, making it easier for your screw to pass through the hole.

Step 9:
Hold your punched Brass Stamping Grande Bumblebees (that sounds funny to me) in position and thread your Micro Screw into the punched hole. You are again putting an indentation onto the leather so you know just where to punch your hole with the Hole Punch Pliers.

Step 10:
Thread your remaining 2 Micro Screw through the Brass Stamping Grande Bumblebees and through the leather. Repeat Steps 4-6. And there you have it! Awesome huh? I love it!

PDF Download: Leather Bee Cuff
See it in our Gallery: Ashtoreth

Shop Supplies:

Shop Supplies WHOLESALE:

• 1 Cuff Bracelet Leather 1-1/2” (cbl1.25-b)
• 2 Brass Stamping Birch Leaves (mebl-bb)
• 1 Brass Stamping Grande Bumblebee (megbb-b)
• 8 Micro Screw & Nut Set (msns-cb)
• G-S Hypo Cement (gs-hypo)
• Hole Punch Pliers 1.8mm (plhp18)

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