Whee! I soldered tonight!!!

Whee!!!

After reading SBS Jewelry Workshop the other night, I had decided I really HAD to try out some of the techniques...and why not try something that involves toxic chemicals, fire, and sterling silver (currently hovering over $16/oz yeeks) for starters???

So after working out, spending an hour finishing up the book Sybil at the dojo, and cleaning up the house after I got home, I decided to make a ring.

The results weren't perfect, but I'm pleased. I purposely made it big, for my pointer finger or thumb, and I love it.

I used 12g sterling silver wire, silver solder (purchased from my Local Rock Shop today), and hammered the wire for a nice texture. Before the flux (also purchased from the LRS) was painted on the ring and solder chip, I made sure I had my jeweler's tweezers, a small container of cold water (for quenching the ring) and pickle (made from a bit of vinegar and salt and heated in the microwave), and a wooden popsicle stick to pull the ring out of the pickle.

After three tries (I had to work at where to place the solder, what point of the flame to use, and how long to leave it on the solder before I did get it to work), I had a very good solder...there is a slight line where the ends of the ring meet, but the ring is solid and it's not going anywhere!

If you haven't guessed, I had fun doing this, and I plan to do more soldering in the near future. I'm really excited that I have finally tried it out!!!

Labels: ring, solder, sterling silver, torch, wire working

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 8:42 PM |