A couple of years ago I really wanted to learn to solder my own jewelry pieces. I’d been seeing some beautiful pieces, mostly made with microscope slides, in books and magazines and wanted to make some myself. I hunted around and found the supplies at the hardware store and just started playing with them and taught myself how to solder. I’ve since upgraded to a nicer “gun”, better solder and supplies. I’m still not really good at it, it really takes alot of practice but it’s alot of fun and I love being able to wear my art!
I first make a collage that is 1″x3″, usually using an old book page for a base. I try to keep everything thin and the layers flat so it will sandwich nicely between the two glass pieces. I then clean the microscope slides and lay the collage in between and wrap copper tape around, being sure to make nice “hospital corners” on each corner. I then burnish the tape with a bone folder. One thing I’ve learned is that the better your tape looks the better the soldering will look in the end! I then flux and solder around all sides and edges, using lead free solder. Then I clean the piece and attach some type of jewelry finding. I love these little “pin bales” from Junkits, it makes it so you can wear it as a pin or a necklace but I’m having trouble finding them anymore and I’m worried they stopped making them.
Here’s one of my very first pieces using pages from an old Asian book, an image of a Geisha, with some wings added, a quote and a rubber stamp chop.
My Love Has Wing:
Here’s another using some scrapbook papers and old book pages. I cut a crown out for my Beauty Queen and added some glitter glue to have some sparkle.
Beauty Queen:
Here’s one where I added some beads and a charm on the end. I think this would be a sweet gift for a new bride.
The Wedding:
The last two pieces, The Beauty Queen and The Wedding are for sale, $12 each, contact me if you’re interested.