My lovely and talented friend, Tina Higgins, graciously taught us how to solder. During our four day stay at a remote cabin at Beaver Island, Michigan, six crafty friends gathered to learn the basics. Tina has plenty of experience in soldering, and has logged many hours on her soldering gun. As none of us had ever tried this craft, we were all eager to learn at the feet of the master!
If you’re new to soldering, you’ll find complete instruction in Pretty Little Things: Collage Jewelry, Trinkets, Keepsakes, by Sally Jean Alexander. All the supplies you’ll need are available at Sally Jean’s site www.sallyjean.com/ sallyjeanshopsupplies.htm.
We began with a table full of photographs and laser copies copies of vintage postcards and books. We also had a generous assortment of broken necklaces, earrings, and pins, as well as a good supply of old watch parts, ribbons, beads and assorted embellishments.
In another area of the crafting room, we learned the basics of cutting glass, soldering and finishing our little creations. Then, we were off and running! We had tremendous fun experimenting with different techniques, such as layering ribbons, beads and embellishments with the soldered pieces. I began by making a charm bracelet/necklace (in retrospect was a bit ambitious for a first project!), which took me two days to complete.
Here’s our fearless instructor, Tina, modeling one of her amazing charm necklaces. She soldered black and white photos of her very beautiful family, which makes a lovely keepsake as well as family photo album!
Here are some more wonderful examples of Tina’s work. She created a series of little framed photos with wire or ribbon loops, to hang from a family tree.
The ever-prolific Dena Fishbein started with some sweet retro images from old children’s books and greeting cards, to create this amazing assortment of dog-lover’s jewelry and bookmarks. She made some darling bracelets, using old watch faces. She placed the paper image inside the back of the watch face, and attached velvet ribbons to create a band. She then finished the bands off with bracelet closures from a bead shop.
Kathleen Francour bravely experimented with an elongated hexagon shaped charm, requiring advanced glass-cutting techniques! She also transformed an old watch face into a sweet photo necklace.
Anne Higgins miraculously whipped up some of her delightful illustrations and then soldered them to create a set of charms to personalize wine glasses.
Sheila Herrin invented a completely original display idea for her 10-year-old portrait. After completing the soldered photo, she then attached it on to a base of a watch face, and added her initial with a clear dome sticker.
Sheila also created several simply magical wall hangings, including a glittered butterfly lady sandwiched between two pieces of clear glass; a precious photo frame pin, made with an old watch face, with pearl drop accent; and a vintage pin with soldered metal embellishment and jewel drop (click on the image to enlarge).
Finally, I made a wall hanging for my sister Tracy’s birthday.
I hope these ideas inspire you to experiment with soldering. The process does require some patience, a few necessary tools and materials, and it also requires a designated work space and awareness of specific precautions that must be taken due to the hazards of glass-cutting and the extreme heat of the soldering gun.
Despite the precautions and the setup time, I find creating art using solder to be completely satisfying and enjoyable. It is a means of shaping gifts that are very substantial, long-lasting and completely personal and unique.
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editor's note: To read other posts in this craft project series, click Craftstravaganza, Something Old, Something New, Love in Every Stitch, and Blooming Buckets.
Click here to purchase "Pretty Little Things: Collage Jewelry, Trinkets, Keepsakes" by Sally Jean Alexander at Amazon.com.
