InspirationFX: Celtic Line

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InspirationFX

Get your creative juices flowing

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Celtic Line

by: Dwyn Tomlinson

I'm really taken with this new line of leather and findings - from Tierracast. I love coordinated findings, like the celtic decorative elements (rivetables) and the matching ends.

This was also a good opportunity to play around a little bit and see what works - and you can see from some of the photos I have highlighted the difference between the 4 mm and the 6 mm compression rivets - you can see that the 6 mm makes a bolder statement.

I have also noted where some rivets were just tapped into place with an ordinary hammer, and some were placed using the rivet setting tool. The tool is not necessary, but makes a much nicer, more rounded dome.

This project goes very quickly, and it is very hard to stop at just making one! You can choose different design elements and colours to mix it up, the rivets can contrast or match the other metal elements - all kinds of ways to customize this and make it your own!

1. Mark where you want your rivets to go with a pen or sharpie. Then punch holes with the leather tool. I used the 2 mm setting to make the holes.
2. You need a sturdy surface to work on  - a sandbag and metal block are perfect. Line up the base of the compression rivet on the block, position the leather over it, with the base sticking through the hole. Add the decorative rivetable, and finally the cap of the rivet. Fine tweezers make this process MUCH easier.
3. Using the setting tool, position it over the cap, and strike with a hammer until it settles down nicely into place, probably 2-3 taps with the hammer. I'm tempted to say just whack it, but it actually doesn't need a whole lot of force, and you can just keep at it until you get there, rather than trying to get it done in one hit.
4. Use jumprings to attach the clasp (hook) and the charm. The ring for the charm doubles as the ring to hook the clasp into.
5. And that's it! 

I've also included a photo showing using an eyelet instead of a compression rivet. I do find that these are easier to use with the eyelet setter!
Have fun and experiment!

Components

Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
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