[Jewelry making - Article 00381] - Re: [Orchid] Bolo tie fabrication

[Lee Einer]

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Hi, Marianne-

    I have made a few bolas. The storebought "mechanisms" which you
    solder to the back are junk IMO. Not only do they cheapen the piece
    but they generally chew up the soft leather of the bola cord. A bad
    deal all around. 

    Here is the best way that I have found- 

    Take the bola cord which you wish to use with the piece. lay the
    cord down so the ends are right next to each other, side by side.
    Take a ring mandrel and find the spot on it that is as wide as the
    two ends of cord together. Now take a heavy piece of wire, say 16
    guage for silver, and wrap it around the mandrel at that place twice.
    Cut off the end of the wire so that you will have a piece of wire
    which wraps around the mandrel exactly twice. 

    Now, unfold the two loops of wire and solder the ends together.
    Next, take two ring mandrels, you will put one in each end of the
    long oval of wire you made, and then take a pliers and squeeze the
    loop together in the middle. You are trying to make something that
    looks like a figure eight. When you have done so, and it looks like
    you have planned it that way, bend each loop of the "eight" up enough
    so that you can solder it to the back of your bola with just the
    middle of the eight touching and both loops remaining free. The loops
    will point to the top and bottom of the bola. Solder the thing in
    place on the back. When your bola is finished, you can bend the loops
    so that the cords just fit through with slight friction. 

    This is a really nice way to do a bola backing, both because it is
    handmade and because the round wire will not damage the leather
    cords. 

    Please feel free to e-mail me if these directions are not clear or
    if you have any questions. 

Lee
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