Little beady eyes in copper foil
 

My current copper foil project has a lot of little birds that are
about 2 1/4 inches long. I had originally planned on creating small
black eyes on the birds by applying a tiny dot of puff paint to the
finished project for each eye. Now I am thinking that this would not
be as permanent as I would like. I need to create six eyes total for
this project.

I thought about drilling a small hole, putting a piece of copper wire
in the hole, and then adding a dot of solder. But how to drill the
hole...

Where could I find a diamond drill bit that is only 1/16" to 3/32"?
Is there such a thing? I thought about using my small engraving bit,
but that didn't seem like it would work.

If anybody has any thoughts, suggestions or ideas on how to handle
this, please share!

Thanks,

Jeff

you could try glass paint. Vitrea has outliners that are in squeezy-tubes that
would give a nice raised effect.

You don't have to bake the finished product if you don't want to (I only bake
it if I've made an item for eating or drinking out of, ornamental things don't
really need it).

Also, they do make small diamond drill bits, let me see....ahhh yes here it is
www.diamond-drill-bit-and-tool.com. The smallest they have is 5/64", which is
pretty small. They are who I get all my drill bits from and they're pretty
reliable and inexpensive (You should be able to get what you need for under
$20).

I'd go the glass paint route if it were me - unless you have experience with
drilling glass there's a very strong possibility you may break one of your
lovely birdies.

Good Luck!

Try http://www.kingsleynorth.com/drillbits.html
or any other lapidary supply. Local rockshops may have them.

Keep the glass under water and 'pulse' the drill rather than using steady
pressure. When nearly through, drill from the backside.

Chunk Kiesling

"Jeff Oakley" wrote in message
om...
My current copper foil project has a lot of little birds that are
about 2 1/4 inches long. I had originally planned on creating small
black eyes on the birds by applying a tiny dot of puff paint to the
finished project for each eye. Now I am thinking that this would not
be as permanent as I would like. I need to create six eyes total for
this project.

I thought about drilling a small hole, putting a piece of copper wire
in the hole, and then adding a dot of solder. But how to drill the
hole...

Where could I find a diamond drill bit that is only 1/16" to 3/32"?
Is there such a thing? I thought about using my small engraving bit,
but that didn't seem like it would work.

If anybody has any thoughts, suggestions or ideas on how to handle
this, please share!

Thanks,

Jeff

you might try gluing a dot of solder i place as opposed to the process you
have outlined which is tedious, time consuming and prone to breakage.
another way is to glue on small rhinestones. Use e-6ooo or similar and it's
pretty permanent. michele

http://www.micromark.com/

This company is terrific! Always fast and dependable. I am a metalsmith and
have bought all of my small tools from them.