Rustic Silver Links

by Judy Larson

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

Short pieces of heavier gauge Argentium wire-14, 16, and 18 gauge-can be formed into circles to make these rustic boho style connector links. Leaving off one of the small rings turns this link into the "O" ring for a toggle. Since these links are so versatile, you may want to make multiples at one time.

Materials

14 Gauge Half Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-14HRD

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $7.25
Gold Club Price: $5.44

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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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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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Tools

Multi-Size Wrap 'N' Tap Pliers, Large Barrels

PLR-746.03

PLR-746.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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Xuron Double Flush Wire Cutters - 4-3/4 Inches

PLR-469.10

PLR-469.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.25
Gold Club Price: $12.94

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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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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1

G17-10

G17-10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

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Nylon Bracelet Bending Plier

PLR-840.00

PLR-840.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $19.97
Gold Club Price: $14.98

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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.

Whenever I have heavier gauge (14, 16, and 18 gauge) short pieces of Argentium wire left at the end of a coil or off cuts from a project, I make them into coils and cut them into rings. I don't bother to get out my calibrated mandrels, drill, and jump ring cutting system. I just use the two sizes of Wrap N Tap pliers on my tool rack and cut the coils into rings using my Xuron Double Flush Cutters. The rings are bagged, labeled, and set aside until I add to them again. Since these bags are on a corner of my worksurface, they are easy to pull out to "play" with.

For this project, the rings used are:

Small Wrap N Tap Pliers-18 gauge wire rings made on the largest barrel; 16 gauge wire rings made on the smallest barrel

Large Wrap N Tap Pliers-18 gauge wire rings made on the smallest barrel; 16 gauge wire rings made on the smallest barrel

Judy Larson's Rustic Silver Links - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, rustic Argentium links

Step 2

Working on a magnesia soldering block, set two small rings made on the smallest barrel of the Small Wrap N Tap Pliers on opposing sides on the edge of a large 16 gauge ring made on the smallest barrel of the Large Wrap N Tap Pliers as shown. Make sure the seam on the large jump ring is not under the small rings. The seams on the small rings should be just inside the inner edge of the large jump ring-shown at the top of the photo. Place another large 16 gauge ring on top of the unit, making sure that the ring opening is opposite the large ring opening below it-shown at the bottom of the photo. Notice I did not go out of my way to close the seams in the rings. Seams can be closed or left open. Either way works.

Step 3

Fuse the rings together using a Butane torch head on a butane canister. Remember, throughout this tutorial, the small side rings will have a tendency to melt when the center ring become thicker, so don't concentrate heat in that area.

Step 4

Place an 18 gauge wire ring made on the smallest barrel or the Large Wrap N Tap Pliers on top of the unit. Heat until the rings are fused. Be careful to not melt everything down.

Step 5

Place an 18 gauge wire ring made on the largest barrel of the Small Wrap N Tap Pliers on each unit. Heat until the rings are fused. Be careful to not melt everything down.

Step 6

Placing the links on a bench block will cool them quickly.

Step 7

Use a soft bristle steel brush to remove bench block residue from the back of each unit.

Step 8

Turn the units over and place them back on the magnesia soldering block. Place an 18 gauge wire ring made on the smallest barrel of the Large Wrap N Tap Pliers on top of each unit. Heat until the rings fuse. Be very careful with those small side rings as by now it takes more heat to fuse the center rings together so the smaller rings can easily melt.

Step 9

Cool the links on a bench block. Clean off the solder block residue from the front side of each unit using a soft bristle steel brush.

Step 10

One at a time, place a link right side up on a bench block and hammer with a slight domed face hammer or a flat faced hammer.

Step 11

Use a Mini TruStrike Large Embossing Hammer or the ball head of the hammer used in Step 10 to texture each link.

Step 12

Texture around each link and the side loops using a Mini TruStrike Sharp designer hammer.

Step 13

Optional if using the link that may be seen from both sides, such as in a necklace or earring: Place a small piece of heavy plastic on a bench block. Hint: A magazine will work for this step, too. The plastic will protect the texture on the front side of the link from distorting. Texture around the back side of each link and the side loops using a Mini TruStrike Sharp designer hammer.

Step 14

Use files and sanding sponges to clean and refine the edges and center of each link where needed.

Step 15

Optional if the link will be used on a bracelet: Anneal and cool each link. Slightly curve the link using a bracelet bending pliers.

Step 16

Tumble for several hours to polish, if desired. This is not necessary as this link is meant to have a more rustic look to it.

Adding patina will enhance the rustic nature of the link.

The photo shows the link in use on a bracelet.

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!