Cut Out + Keep

Jacques Hot Air Balloon Brooch

The Big Book of Jewelry Making

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/jacques-hot-air-balloon-brooch • Posted by GMC Group

Give a lift to any outfit with this bright leather hot-air balloon. The movable basket gently swings with your every step, making you feel as though you could simply float away.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

1 h 00

Difficulty

Nice & Simple
Medium 2017 11 20 125405  dsc3493 Medium 2017 11 20 130543 jacques 0009 Medium 2017 11 20 130548 jacques 0010

Description

Give a lift to any outfit with this bright leather hot-air balloon. The movable basket gently swings with your every step, making you feel as though you could simply float away.

Instructions

  1. Small 2017 11 20 125939 jacques 0001

    Cut out leather pieces using the balloon template.

  2. Small 2017 11 20 125945 jacques 0002

    Glue the smaller, decorative balloon elements into place on the larger balloon-shaped piece.

  3. Small 2017 11 20 130138 jacques 0003

    Sew from the triangle peaks of each piece to the peaks of the one below using a loose running stitch, finishing in a straight line at the base (see page 344). Don’t worry if the back looks messy; you will be covering it up later.

  4. Small 2017 11 20 130213 jacques 0004

    Loop lengths of the thin ribbon around the bottom row of stitches and tie into a series of tight double knots. Trim so that only 3⁄8in (10mm) hangs on either side of the stitch. Paint the ribbon ends with clear nail varnish to stop them fraying.

  5. Small 2017 11 20 130233 jacques 0005

    Use the template to cut out two “baskets” from balsa wood. Cover one side of each piece with glue and lay face down on the “wrong side” of patterned ribbon.

  6. Small 2017 11 20 130308 jacques 0006 1

    Leave the baskets to dry before trimming around the edges to remove excess ribbon. Glue the other sides of basket pieces and sandwich both 5⁄8in (15mm) lengths of chain between them. Make sure the chains are parallel with 3⁄16 in (5mm) exposed at the top.

  7. Small 2017 11 20 130338 jacques 0007

    Make two small holes at the base of the balloon 3⁄16 in (5mm) apart. Use pliers to open the jumprings (see page 332) before looping them through. Thread the exposed ends of the chain through the jumprings and snap them closed with pliers.

  8. Small 2017 11 20 130410 jacques 0008

    Glue the final leather piece to the balloon back and secure the pin back.