You can also snip those tiny pieces off while the die and the hand with the cutters are in a clear plastic bag (like a gallon ziplock bag). This way, if the pieces go flying, they are confined to the bag.
If you put the index finger (of the hand you're holding the die with) on or as close as possible to the tip of the wire you're cutting off, it will greatly help stop the flying of wire. I've been a professional wire jeweler for years and find this tip really helpful. I hope it helps out some of you too. Happy New Year!
another tip for your viewers...I learned this in jewelry making classes. Have the piece that will be cut off, point towards your desk top, you can then cover your hand over a bit in case it goes sideways. Another thing, have a low nap hand towel on your desk that you point toward when you cut. :>
When cutting and separating the dies, place your die between a dampened paper towel while snipping the dies apart. This will help contain those tiny metal pieces in the paper towel of any pieces that fly upon cutting.
Thanks for your tips, Amy. I really have a beef with these companies who leave their dies connected, so I try to avoid them and usually only purchase Sizzix. I do have some MFT ones that are connected, and they are aggravating. However, when I do trim the little die tabs off, I do it over a magnetic sheet on my table, with my other hand cupped over what I am cutting, if possible, to keep the nips from flying hither and yon. The magnetic sheet attracts the little bits and pieces, and then I take them all and put them into the same medical needle collection container that I put my bent and broken sewing needles and pins in. Helps a lot. Thanks for your ideas. Appreciate it!
+Elizabeth Hansen I would assume that if companies sold them all separated the price would skyrocket - so it's a cost vs convenience thing. I honestly don't mind them being connected as it takes only a couple of minutes to separate them and then I'm done :)
I imagine you are right about the cost vs. convenience aspect!! I have RA, and snipping the dies apart is difficult for me because my hands don't work so well sometimes. However, my DBH (dearly beloved husband) picked up a pair of wire cutters for me at Harbor Freight that have extra large cushioned handles, and these cutters are making it easier for me. OR, I just have HIM cut them apart for me! Your cards are beautiful! Keep up the great work!
+Elizabeth Hansen LOL just have him do it for you ;) - and I know what you're saying - a lot of people have RA and other issues that make certain tasks with this hobby difficult-to-impossible - so the more options and easy of ability the better - and it generally does mean at a higher cost but if it means we can do what we love then we'll figure it out! :)
I was just going to say the same as jppeggy2 as far as the Dremel is concerned. That's my OCD to the next level ;) I just LOVE my Dremel, and use it all the time to grind any remaining burs. As far as the little bits that may fly away......heck, I'll find them months later scattered here and there ;) what~ev....I don't have little ones anymore (well, even though they're 25 & 21 they do still act 'little') so it's not a concern for me, the vacuum will end up getting it at some point! Thanks for another great video Amy, and Happy New Year!!!
I've been using the trash can method to trin the little sharp nibs, which seems to work best but every once in a while they have a mind of their oen & fly off to who knows where.
one more safety issue, I noticed that you had a cup of coffee sitting very close to where you are working...if you have no place handy to move the cup out of the way of flying bits then cover it with a piece of paper...I got my files from Simon Says however I use my Dremel to sand off the metal burs, it only takes a second to get rid of them...tfs...~Peggy
Amy, I am new to card making and I was wondering if you could recommend a die cutting machine? i am subscribed to you channel and i watch your videos all the time. Thank you.
+Geri Payne I am not Amy but I have several different machines...no worries, you don't need to buy several, as technology gets better I just wanted the new and better. That said...I like the cuddle bug for the small footprint, the evolution by we r memory keepers because they have and adjustable dial for different die depths...BUT my new favorite is the spellbinders sapphire is a small one only a 2.5 cutting plate, but with stamping and all the small dies, I LOVE it. It is small enough to sit on my desk. Amy uses the sizzix bigshot that has a larger footprint but is great for all the MFT dies that are larger than 2.5 inches.
Don’t buy this brand often because of how they’re set together. Never smooth when done snipping and takes too much time. Need a sharp clipper like one in the video too.
You can also snip those tiny pieces off while the die and the hand with the cutters are in a clear plastic bag (like a gallon ziplock bag). This way, if the pieces go flying, they are confined to the bag.
If you put the index finger (of the hand you're holding the die with) on or as close as possible to the tip of the wire you're cutting off, it will greatly help stop the flying of wire. I've been a professional wire jeweler for years and find this tip really helpful. I hope it helps out some of you too. Happy New Year!
another tip for your viewers...I learned this in jewelry making classes. Have the piece that will be cut off, point towards your desk top, you can then cover your hand over a bit in case it goes sideways. Another thing, have a low nap hand towel on your desk that you point toward when you cut. :>
Great tips, helps me feel more confident in this necessary task for anyone who loves die cutting.
Great tips! Love how you keep them when you are working on a project!
When cutting and separating the dies, place your die between a dampened paper towel while snipping the dies apart. This will help contain those tiny metal pieces in the paper towel of any pieces that fly upon cutting.
I've cut these for years and just recently stepped on one of those little suckers-I had to pull it out of my heel with tweezers-owie!!
Thanks for your tips, Amy. I really have a beef with these companies who leave their dies connected, so I try to avoid them and usually only purchase Sizzix. I do have some MFT ones that are connected, and they are aggravating. However, when I do trim the little die tabs off, I do it over a magnetic sheet on my table, with my other hand cupped over what I am cutting, if possible, to keep the nips from flying hither and yon. The magnetic sheet attracts the little bits and pieces, and then I take them all and put them into the same medical needle collection container that I put my bent and broken sewing needles and pins in. Helps a lot. Thanks for your ideas. Appreciate it!
+Elizabeth Hansen I would assume that if companies sold them all separated the price would skyrocket - so it's a cost vs convenience thing. I honestly don't mind them being connected as it takes only a couple of minutes to separate them and then I'm done :)
I imagine you are right about the cost vs. convenience aspect!! I have RA, and snipping the dies apart is difficult for me because my hands don't work so well sometimes. However, my DBH (dearly beloved husband) picked up a pair of wire cutters for me at Harbor Freight that have extra large cushioned handles, and these cutters are making it easier for me. OR, I just have HIM cut them apart for me! Your cards are beautiful! Keep up the great work!
+Elizabeth Hansen LOL just have him do it for you ;) - and I know what you're saying - a lot of people have RA and other issues that make certain tasks with this hobby difficult-to-impossible - so the more options and easy of ability the better - and it generally does mean at a higher cost but if it means we can do what we love then we'll figure it out! :)
Right-O!
I was just going to say the same as jppeggy2 as far as the Dremel is concerned. That's my OCD to the next level ;) I just LOVE my Dremel, and use it all the time to grind any remaining burs. As far as the little bits that may fly away......heck, I'll find them months later scattered here and there ;) what~ev....I don't have little ones anymore (well, even though they're 25 & 21 they do still act 'little') so it's not a concern for me, the vacuum will end up getting it at some point! Thanks for another great video Amy, and Happy New Year!!!
Thank you so much for making this video I needed it!!
I've been using the trash can method to trin the little sharp nibs, which seems to work best but every once in a while they have a mind of their oen & fly off to who knows where.
one more safety issue, I noticed that you had a cup of coffee sitting very close to where you are working...if you have no place handy to move the cup out of the way of flying bits then cover it with a piece of paper...I got my files from Simon Says however I use my Dremel to sand off the metal burs, it only takes a second to get rid of them...tfs...~Peggy
+jppeggy2 there weren't any flying bits I was just showing how to prevent them - my coffee was safe :)
you can also get a cheap set of files (jewelers files?) at Harbor Freight.
Thanks Amy and Happy New Year....
pat
Thanks for the tips! 😊
Amy, I am new to card making and I was wondering if you could recommend a die cutting machine? i am subscribed to you channel and i watch your videos all the time. Thank you.
+Geri Payne I am not Amy but I have several different machines...no worries, you don't need to buy several, as technology gets better I just wanted the new and better. That said...I like the cuddle bug for the small footprint, the evolution by we r memory keepers because they have and adjustable dial for different die depths...BUT my new favorite is the spellbinders sapphire is a small one only a 2.5 cutting plate, but with stamping and all the small dies, I LOVE it. It is small enough to sit on my desk. Amy uses the sizzix bigshot that has a larger footprint but is great for all the MFT dies that are larger than 2.5 inches.
Where did you get the soda bottle die that you have in your tim Holtz tray ?
+A Howell I just edited the links in the description and added links to those dies as several people have asked now! :)
Great tips!
Thanks for the tips!!!😻
Can you show how you die cut paper without cutting dies apart
I've shown how in a bunch of videos - with dies that are still connected (you have to cut out the ones inside others no matter what tho)
Amy missing your voice overs for the new MFT product video's
+Firey367 awww - well thank you. Change should be a good thing though - once everyone gets used to it LOL! ;) :)
Don’t buy this brand often because of how they’re set together. Never smooth when done snipping and takes too much time. Need a sharp clipper like one in the video too.