Lacy Washers

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Intermediate

Bali style components and twisted wire rings turned plain washers into a stunning and unique jewelry set. And the best part, all the embellishments could be made with scrap wire!

Materials

22 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-22H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $2.01
Gold Club Price: $1.51

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18 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-18H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $5.35
Gold Club Price: $4.01

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20 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $3.68
Gold Club Price: $2.76

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24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-24SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $42.72
Gold Club Price: $32.04

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Tools

Steel and Rubber Bench Block 4x4 Inches

G17-44

G17-44
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400

ABR-600.90

ABR-600.90
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

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10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm

G14-8

G14-8
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.57
Gold Club Price: $10.18

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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1

G3-26

G3-26
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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steel round bezel mandrel

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Xuron Sheer - Non Serrated

SHR-691.81

SHR-691.81
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

G2-503

G2-503
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

TRCH-8010
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

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Fire Brick

SOL-485.00

SOL-485.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.95
Gold Club Price: $11.96

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

For this project I used scrap twisted wire ends-20 gauge for the pendant and 22 gauge for the earrings. If scrap twisted wire is not available, tightly twist two pieces of 20 gauge wire together to make a 2" long usable piece. Tightly twist two pieces of 22 gauge wire together to make a 3" long usable piece, cut into two 1½"pieces.

Flush cut and file both ends of each twisted wire. The finished 20 gauge twisted wire piece should be 2" long. The finished 22 gauge twisted wire pieces should be 1-3/8" long.

Bring the ends of each ring together, matching the wire twists as well as possible. Place each ring on a soldering surface and put a small amount of medium paste solder under each seam. Heat with a micro torch until the solder flows. Let the pieces cool naturally before continuing to the next step.

Judy Larson's Lacy Washers - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Lacy washers

Step 2

Pickle, rinse and dry the rings.

Step 3

The two shorter pieces of twisted scrap wire are not the same length. After soldering the ends together, the smaller ring was stretched out to match the larger of the two rings.

Step 4

Cut two earring washers and one pendant washer from 24 or 26 gauge sheet metal:

Size Inner Diameter Outer Diameter

Pendant 3/8 1"

Earrings 1/4" 3/4"

Step 5

Use a rubber or nylon mallet to flatten each washer on a bench block. Refine the outer edges of each washer using files and sanding sponges.

Step 6

Place small amounts of medium paste solder around the bottom edge of each twisted wire ring. Center each ring on the appropriate washer, solder side down. Check from all angles to make sure the rings are centered.

Place the washers with the rings on a soldering surface. Heat with a butane torch head on a butane canister until the solder flows. Let the pieces cool naturally before continuing to the next step.

Step 7

Pickle, rinse, and dry the pieces.

Step 8

For the pendant, fourteen ½" pieces of 22 gauge wire with both ends flush cut are needed.

For the earrings, twenty ½" pieces of 22 gauge wire with both ends flush cut are needed.

Cut a few extra because they sometimes go flying and are hard to find.

Step 9

Using the small tips of the round nose pliers, make a loop on both ends of each half inch wire. The loops for the pendant wire hearts are very tiny. The loops are a hair larger on the wire hearts for the earrings.

Grasp the wire between the loops with the tips of the round nose pliers. Use your fingers to bend the loops together as shown.

If needed, use a rubber or nylon mallet to flatten the hearts on a bench block.

Step 10

Cut and ball 18 gauge wire as follows:

Pendant: Fourteen pieces 3/16" long

Earrings: Twenty pieces 1/8" long

Step 11

Make sure that the hearts will fit around the washer outside the twisted wire ring. Make adjustments in the number and/or the size of the hearts and as needed.

Step 12

Smear a layer of medium paste solder on each washer outside the twisted wire ring. Press the hearts in place on each piece as shown.

Step 13

It may be necessary to put a small bit of medium past solder on the outer edge of each washer between the hearts for the balls to solder securely in place. Optional: Leave one ball off each washer in the area where there is the largest space between the hearts. Holes can be drilled or punched in those spots to add a jump ring for a necklace chain or attach ear wires.

Step 14

Place the embellished washers on a soldering surface. Heat with a butane torch head on a butane canister until the solder flows. Let the pieces cool naturally.

Step 15

Pickle, rinse, and dry the pieces.

Step 16

Use easy paste solder to attach 20 gauge 3.5mm jump rings to the back of each earring, centering the rings between two balls on the front of the washer. Heat with a butane torch head on a butane canister until the solder flows. Allow the pieces to cool naturally.

Step 17

There are always scraps of sheet metal in my scrap box large enough to make a hidden bail. Cut a 3/16" wide scrap and curve it using 6 step barrel pliers. Keep cutting, sanding, and curving and shaping the bail until it fits the back of the pendant washer and will accommodate the desired chain.

Use easy paste solder to secure the hidden bail in place on the back of the pendant. Heat with a butane torch head on a butane canister until the solder flows. Allow the piece to cool naturally

Step 18

Pickle, rinse, and dry the pieces.

Tumble the pieces for several hours to bring up a shine. Rinse and dry the pieces before continuing.

Step 19

Patina adds a richness and depth to the after buffing with 0000 steel wool to remove patina from the raised areas. Since buffing with the steel wool leaves a satin finish on metal, tumble again for 20 to 30 minutes if more of a shine is desired.

Step 20

Attach 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!