A Partridge in a Pear Tree Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Texturing, Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Beginner

Have you ever noticed that half the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas song we are so familiar with are birds?! After the first three bird days were designed, something different was needed so doing a word association chain helped to come up with ideas for the other birds as well as the remaining days. We'll start with the 12th day and work down to #1.

The biggest challenge making these earrings was to use only what was on hand, mostly leftovers from other projects, which is how things were done when this song first became popular. 24 gauge Argentium silver scrap sheet and leftover Argentium wire were used for all the designs except for the jump rings and dots made from gold filled scrap on The Fifth Day of Christmas.

Rolling mill laser cut texture sheets were used for many of the designs, but metal stamps will also work. If the metal is annealed, texture sheets can be hammered onto the metal to be textured to impart designs. Be aware that the textures will usually not be as sharp as when a rolling mill is used. The shapes are what makes each earring, but texture is always fun to add. Play with texture hammers, stamps, etc. to make your own versions of these earrings.

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-24SM6

Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 6 Inches
Price: $258.99
Gold Club Price: $194.24

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20 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20D

Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $4.47
Gold Club Price: $3.35

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Tools

Basic Soldering Kit

G15-4

G15-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $58.95
Gold Club Price: $44.21

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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces

CLN-584.00

CLN-584.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2

G17-9

G17-9
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.97
Gold Club Price: $11.98

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Chasing Hammer - Flat Faced with Polished Wooden Handle - Pack of 1

G3-13

G3-13
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.97
Gold Club Price: $8.98

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Liver of Sulphur Gel, 1 Ounce Bottle

SOL-610.01

SOL-610.01
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

Out of Stock

Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.15

SOL-822.15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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Instructions

Step 1

The partridge that live in the woods on our property feast on the little apples on our ornamental crab apple tree every winter and they are so much fun to watch. When looking through some of my used rolling mill textures, one reminded me a bit of some of the rosemaling featured at Scandinavian festivals in the area where I live. I was off to the races with designs, channeling a little Scandinavian to make these little cuties.

Decide where the texture would work on the bird body and/or wings. Because any texturing will distort the metal design, it is best to texture the 24 gauge Argentium sheet metal before cutting out the design.

Judy Larson's A Partridge in a Pear Tree Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, 1st day of Christmas earrings

Judy Larson's A Partridge in a Pear Tree Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, first day of christmas earrings

Step 2

Glue the templates in place on the metal. Cut the bird bodies and wings out.

Step 3

Use a center punch or small period punch to impress the eye dot.

Step 4

Remove the paper templates from all the metal pieces.

Step 5

Use a small straight design stamp to make tail feathers.

Step 6

Use a small straight design stamp to make feathers on the bottom edge of the wing. If the wing is not textured, a small snowflake or floral design stamp is a nice touch on the center of the wing.

Step 7

Note: All textured pieces should be annealed and flattened before soldering pieces together. Decide where the wings will be placed on the bird bodies. Place the birds face up on a soldering block. Put a small dot of medium paste solder on the bird body where the largest part of the wing will rest. Press the wings into place. Heat until the solder flows. Do not quench. Allow to cool naturally.

Step 8

Pickle, rinse, and dry the pieces, especially if using mixed metals or sterling silver.

Step 9

Optional Branches: Fold a 6" (15.2cm) piece of 20 gauge round Argentium wire in half. Twist the pieces together tightly to avoid Step 11.

Pro Tip: Twist a longer length of wire so it is ready to use in other designs. Make a large ball on one end using a butane torch. Cool the piece and then cut the balled and twisted wire end 7/8" (22mm) long. Repeat the process to make the second branch.

Step 10

Hammer the balled end of each wire flat. File the flat ball into a leaf shape. File and round the cut end of the twisted wire to make it smooth.

Step 11

If the twisted wires are loose, place them on a soldering block. Sterling silver and copper will need to be soldered. Argentium will fuse together with a bit of heat. Be careful to only heat until the wires go from satin to shiny and immediately remove the heat.

Step 12

Use a small straight design stamp to make leaf lines on the leaf shape.

Step 13

Use fingers or a bracelet bending pliers to gently curve each branch.

Judy Larson's A Partridge in a Pear Tree Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, https://rebeccakamen.com/

Step 14

Place the birds face down on a soldering block. Put a bit of medium solder just below the curve in the upper body. Place a closed 20 gauge 4.5mm ID jump ring into the solder. 2/3 of the jump ring should be on the body and 1/3 above the body. Attach Optional Branches: Put a line of medium solder across the bottom of each bird. Press a branch in place in the solder with the leaf facing forward. Do not worry if the branch is not flush with the surface. It can be pressed down and held in place when the solder flows. The leaf can be twisted into place when the piece is cool.

Step 15

Heat the birds with a butane torch until the solder flows. Allow the pieces to cool on the solder brick.

Step 16

Pickle, rinse, and dry the pieces. Tumble the birds for several hours. Patina the birds if desired. The birds shown have a patina added.

Step 17

Add ear wires.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!