Can we see your leaf keyrings?

[ausfire]

I had a commission for 20 leaf keyrings. This is the way I do mine, but I would be interested to see how others make them.
I find 12mm round stock to be good for long skinny gumleaves, but I prefer 12mm square for leaves with a bit more body.
I chisel in the veins but I might try getting a stronger midrib by folding. Sometimes I thicken the stem and punch a small hole for the ring, but these are just drawn out and curled.
So how do you do yours?

[jeremy k]

Leaves made from 3/8" round stock

[dablacksmith]

here is mine i use a die i made..

[01tundra]

Some of my early attempts.....I'd like to think my later ones look a little better.

 

Made from 5/16" round stock, colored with Gilder's Paste.

 

 

[BOB T]

Here mine with the rack too

[ausfire]

Wow, some nice work there. I like the idea of the curl on the end of the loop - gives a nice finish. never heard of Gilder's paste, but the colours are great. And well done with the rack - mounting screws included!

[Joel OF]

I make mine from 10mm square stock. I try to make mine with a positive raised vein instead of the more common chiseled vein. Leaves don't really interest me, I just do them cos people expect them.

[ausfire]

Joel, your leaves have great shape. A lot of drawing out in those curled loops. Now, what is your method for raising the vein? Doesn't look folded.

[Joel OF]

Thanks. Since taking that pic I now do the loops slightly different but I still need about 5 inches of drawn out stem to make the loops. I've also started softening the tip of the leaf slightly.
To get the shape/raise the vein I squish the leaf down slightly (as normal) with a couple blows to start the general shape, then I hammer diagonally in from both sides to flatten out the leaf whilst creating a centred vein. I'm right handed so it's much easier hammering the right side of the leaf than it is the left.