Yes, it’s true. I love to solder. Next to hammering it is my favorite jewelry technique.
Of course it was not always so. I have destroyed many a piece of silver during my early days. Life has gotten much easier since I have broken the code on this process though.
Here’s a piece that was one of my first soldering jobs.
Not only did this take about 10 times longer that it would today, but the finished product is one that any fellow jeweler would take apart in seconds.
Why not redo this beautiful dichroic cabochon, then and create something more to my skill level?? Because every time I wear this it reminds me of how far I have come.
Yes the sides are rough. I heated this piece so MANY times that part of the bezel melted! This design has enough solder in it to set at least 4 more gemstones. I just kept adding solder each time when some of the joins did not ‘join’
As with any skill, practice, practice and more practice is required. Now all these years later I am proud of the designs I can offer to my customers. Soldering has become routine. Do I still make mistakes? Absolutely! But they are fewer and fewer as time passes.
I have learned to use soldering as a gauge to my ability to work..
Just started a class and my second piece was a total melt down. My teacher sent me your blog. It has helped me so much.
Thank you,
Barbara
Thanks so much for your comment Barbara! It does get easier with practice. And it IS worth the pain.