Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsMaking the Pendant:Cut the handle loop of the heart charm and file smooth.Mark hole locations with a Sharpie®, and use the hole punch to make two 1/16th-inch hanging holes in the upper corners of the state charm.Prepare the blanks by cleaning with a 3M™ sanding sponge.Apply flux and then heat with a torch to melt a thin layer of solder to the backside of the heart blank.Apply flux again, and position the heart (solder-side down) on the state charm.With a to …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsUnspool approximately 20" of copper wire. Pull it smooth with flat nylon-jaw pliers.Trim the end neatly (flush) with flush cutters.Make 6 equal sized coils using ring bending pliers.Using good flush cutters, snip each coil apart so you have 6 identically-sized links. Carefully trim ends so the ends of the links line up flush. If you have any gaps, your solder join will not look good and will not be secure. (See copper soldering blog part 2 for tips.) Ass …

Created by: Cindy MorrisDesigner TipsClean the glass pieces.Cut images, phrases and paper to fit the glass slide. Glue images and words to the paper.Sandwich paper between the glass pieces and carefully wrap the glass with copper-foil tape. To create a tight seal, burnish the foil to the glass (a Sharpie pen handle makes a great burnishing tool).Use soft solder to seal and finish your pendant. Helpful techniques can be found in our blog post (linked below) and in Lisa Bluhm's book Simple Soldere …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsClip the loop off both moon charms, file smooth, and sand with a 600 grit polishing cloth.Use a dapping block to gently dome the moon charms.Soft solder each moon charm to a round filigree. Clean with dish soap and water, and dry. (You can also substitute two-part epoxy for solder. Patina parts before gluing.)Patina each moon and polish to desired finish.Use rubbing alcohol to clean parts to be assembled and adhere with adhesive dots or two-part epoxy.Free …

Created by: Mollie ValenteDesigner TipsCut the copper strip to about 2" in length. Use a texture hammer or pattern stamp to apply a random pattern. File the corners and sides until smooth.Soft solder the crown and rhinestone chain to the textured blank. Clean the piece with dish soap and water to remove the flux.Oxidize the piece with Win-Ox™, rinse piece, dry, and polish with the polishing cloth to desired appearance.Clean tie bar and decorative blank with rubbing alcohol.Cut a rectangle piece …