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Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. The great thing about making your own embellishments is that when inspiration strikes, you probably have pieces on hand that will work.

Just in Case Heart Pendant

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
The great thing about making your own embellishments is that when inspiration strikes, you probably have pieces on hand that will work. AND you don't have to wait for an order to arrive only to find that the parts are too large or small. You can make a Goldilocks piece just the right size. When inspiration strikes, as it did with these hearts, the small flowers in my embellishment stash were a bit too small to fit the void in the heart with smaller hearts already soldered in place. Just in case, I had made a few just a bit larger. In case of what I didn't know but wanted them on hand anyway. Well, here is the JUST IN CASE HEART. My family loves the beach so maybe the next one will be filled with shells, etc.

Materials

16 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-16H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $9.03
  • Gold Club Price: $6.77
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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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WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000
ABR-500.90
  • ABR-500.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.95
  • Gold Club Price: $18.71
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Daddy Dipper Pickle Pot, 24 Ounce Capacity
CLN-585.00
  • CLN-585.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $45.95
  • Gold Club Price: $34.46
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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
Thumlers Tumbler Model T Rock Tumbler Kit
G34-100
  • G34-100
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $172.76
  • Gold Club Price: $129.57
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions for the space you are working in as well as all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies you will be using to complete the project.

Using 16-gauge round wire and following the directions in No Measure Hearts, make the larger heart using two 15.5mm ID jump rings and the smaller hearts with two 6mm ID jump rings each. Note: When making jump rings, the springiness of the wire can change the inside diameter (ID) from the measurement of the mandrel used to a larger size. Experiment making different size hearts to come up with a framework you like and fits the embellishments you will be using.
Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, make a wire heart
Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, place your flower in your pendant
Step 2
Follow the direction in No Measure Hearts to solder smaller hearts inside larger ones. Place the small flower inside the area free of embellishment. There must be multiple contact points or the embellishment may break away from the frame at some point. Use an ultra-fine point retractable Sharpie to mark the contact points on the flower and the frame.
Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, solder the hearts
Step 3
Place medium paste solder on the inside of the frame at the marked contact points. Place the frame on a solder block. Matching the Sharpie marks, press the flower into the frame, making sure the flower petals are pressed firmly against the frame at the contact points. Use a toothpick, not a solder pick, push the paste solder down into the contact point areas as well as to remove excess paste solder. Keep cleaning the tip of the toothpick during this process.

Heat around the heart until the solder flows. Cool the piece before moving on.
Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, solder the flower
Step 4
Attach an 18 gauge twisted square wire 6mm ID jump ring in the desired location on the large heart frame. Use easy paste solder to solder the ring closed. Heat until the solder flows and immediately remove the heat. Be careful as too much heat can cause the medium paste solder to flow, which could cause the flower to fall out of the frame.
Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, attach a jump ring
Step 5
Pickle the heart. Neutralize the piece in baking soda water immediately upon removing it from the pickle. Rinse and dry the piece before continuing.

Step 6
Clean and refine all the solder joins.

Step 7
Tumble the piece for several hours to bring up a nice shine.
Judy Larson's Just in Case Heart Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, tumble and polish

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