Organic Fused Silver Dust Earrings

by Judy Larson

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

The uses for the organic looking fused silver dust discs used here is endless. Fused silver dust discs don't have to be used only for earrings. Change the size and shape of the base sheet and use as links in a bracelet or focals in a necklace.

Materials

Argentium silver dust from sawing-these particles are larger than those from sanding and filing

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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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Chains no longer being worn

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Variety of gauges and sizes of jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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6.5 Inch Long Flat Nose Pliers - Pack of 1

G2-74

G2-74
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.87
Gold Club Price: $7.40

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Fine Point Stainless Steel Tweezers

TWZ-701.70

TWZ-701.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

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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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Small Disc Cutter, 7 Pieces

DAP-400.10

DAP-400.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $46.95
Gold Club Price: $35.21

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Magnesia Soldering Block

SOL-455.00

SOL-455.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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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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Deluxe Titanium Soldering Pick, Blue Handled, 6-1/2 Inches

SPK-930.00

SPK-930.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.97
Gold Club Price: $4.48

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t pins

Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 3.00 each

Auto Center Punch

PUN-430.00

PUN-430.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.97
Gold Club Price: $6.73

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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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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm

PLR-133.70

PLR-133.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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Liver of Sulfur 4 oz

SOL-600.04

SOL-600.04
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.95
Gold Club Price: $12.71

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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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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.

Note: I was lucky to obtain two sets of matching pairs when making these earrings. That does not always happen. There is no way to determine what shape each finished disc will take. When making these, it is advisable to make more than will be used if slightly matching pairs are desired.

Cut four 24 gauge ¾" Argentium discs. A disc cutter makes this quick and easy, but it is not necessary.

Step 2

Sand both sides of all four discs with a 400 grit sanding pad. Do not worry about the edges.

Judy Larson's Organic Fused Silver Dust Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Organic Fused Silver Dust Earrings

Step 3

Place a disc on a magnesia solder block. Hold it in place with three T-pins.

Step 4

Use a bead holding tweezers grab a pinch of silver dust and place it in the center of the disc. Repeat if more dust is desired or wait and add a bit more in the middle of the next step.

Step 5

Direct the torch flame around the disc, at least a half inch away, for several passes. By that time, the silver dust particles will be much less likely to be blown around with the force of the flame. Continue to heat around the disc until the disc surface becomes shiny. At that point, the dust fuses to the surface. It is important to keep pulling the flame away from the disc so it is not overheated. While heating, a solder pick can move some of the dust around before it melts.

Add more dust if desired, and repeat the fusing process. This will go faster than before because the metal is still hot.

When the silver dust finally fuses, heat a bit more and the disc will start to shrink because the metal is a bit molten. Remove the flame IMMEDIATELY! The disc will still shrink after the heat is removed.

Step 6

When the disc is cool, remove the pins. Heat the disc until the edges curl a bit. As before, it is important to keep pulling the flame away from the disc. Remember, the disc will keep curling in on itself even after the heat is removed. Allow to cool naturally on the soldering block.

Step 7

Repeat Steps 3-6 with the other discs.

Step 8

Use a soft bristle steel brush to remove solder block debris from the back of each disc.

Step 9

Pickle, rinse, and dry the discs. You may wish to tumble the discs, but it is not necessary.

Step 10

If desired, disc edges can be shaped slightly using a flat nose soft jaw pliers.

Step 11

Use a Sharpie marker to mark where to make holes in each finished disc. A center punch will make a divot on the marks, making it easier to drill or use a hole punch to make the holes.

Step 12

Assemble unused chains from your jewelry box or stash as well as any desired components that complement the fused silver dust discs. The size and gauge of the jump rings used to attach the pieces together will be determined by these findings.

Step 13

I twisted 20mm ID 16 gauge and 14 gauge rings into links for another project and did not like how they looked. The 14 gauge links would not untwist, but the 16 gauge ones did. After being re-rounded on a hoop mandrel, they kept an organic look. 18mm or 20mm ID 14 or 16 gauge textured rings would have the same feel. Leave them round, or make them into fat ovals.

Step 14

Connect one end of a small chain to one lower disc. Connect the other end of the chain to the other disc in the same manner. Using the upper disc as a guide, cut the chain to length, making sure that there are an even number of chain links above the ring connecting the chain and disc together. Add a jump ring to the end of each chain that is large enough to fit the jump ring used to connect all the parts together in Step 16.

Step 15

Cut two sets of three different chains. The chains should be different lengths and hang longer than the lower disc. If one or more of the chains will not fit the ring used to connect them together, add a larger jump ring to one end of each. Connect the chains together with a jump ring that is large enough to fit the jump ring used to connect all the parts together in Step 16.

Step 16

Connect each set of earring components in the same order for each set using a jump ring that will fit them.

Step 17

Optional: I chose to solder the opening in the ring connecting all the parts because I wanted it to be an oval.

Step 18

Attach the connected components to earring findings.

Step 19

Patina the earrings with liver of sulfur. Rinse and dry them.

Step 20

Remove excess patina with 0000 steel wool to highlight the design. The satin finish left by the steel wool adds to the rustic, organic look of the earrings.

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!