Silver Scrap Wire Focals to Embellish

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Making Findings, Butane Torch Techniques, Design
Skill Level: Intermediate

Keep your wire scrap separated in small clear resealable bags and label by wire size. Who knows when you may need a short piece for a jump ring or bail....Or to make a fabulous focal to embellish! Argentium wire scrap is used here.

Because everyone has different scrap wire gauges and lengths, the directions here are general steps for creating the focal pieces.

Fusing: The thicker a wire is, the longer it takes to get to melting temperature. That means that using a 20 gauge with a 16 gauge wire is not a good idea when fusing because the 20 gauge wire will melt and slump before the 16 gauge is at fusing temperature and you could end up with a mess. Try to use wires that are only one gauge in difference- such as 16 and 18, 18 and 20, or 20 and 22. The wires used here are 18 gauge with a few bits of 20 gauge thrown in. When first trying this, it is best to stick with the same gauge wires.

Soldering: When attaching pieces together, it may be easier to solder. Unless you are very good at pick soldering, it will be easier to place paste solder where it is needed as it will stay in place.

Materials

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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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

C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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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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Solderite Soldering Board, Hard, 12 Inch by 12 Inch

SOL-420.30

SOL-420.30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $34.95
Gold Club Price: $26.21

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Blazer GB4001 Stingray Torch, Blue

TRCH-4002

TRCH-4002
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $49.95
Gold Club Price: $37.46

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Instructions

Step 1

Directions: Read through the directions before starting the project.

Cut wire to various lengths. Ball both ends of each wire. A small butane torch can be used for this step if the wire is 18 gauge or smaller. A butane torch head and a canister of butane (used for camping stoves) should be used if the wire is 16 gauge or larger. Fire scale can be removed from the wires by buffing them with steel wool or pickling them.

Step 2

Stagger the wires so the balled ends are not right next to each other. Twist the wires together by hand (no tools). This will be the base. Other single wires and twisted wires can be wrapped over this. Shorter wires can be set next to the assembly.

Step 3

This assembly is made by marrying two mirrored sections together. A chain can be later added to the end loops.

A 6 Step Barrel Plier is very useful for creating loops and curves in the wires. Shown here is how two different wires were formed and then connected together. A mirror image was created and then those two were combined.

Two mirror image looped ends

Second wire to add to the first

Step 4

Continue to add wires to the assemblies until achieving the desired look.

Step 5

After the wires are assembled to your liking, place them on a soldering surface. Carefully heat them until the wire surface goes from dull to very shiny and slightly molten. Hint: Practice on two small wires so you can see the stages progress. Immediately remove the heat.

Let the assemblies cool, especially if they are made with Argentium wire, 30 seconds or so before quenching. Argentium can become brittle and break if quenched immediately.

A butane torch head and a canister of butane (used for camping stoves) should be used here. A small butane torch will not provide enough heat.

Pro Tip: If not comfortable with the fusing technique, solder the wires together in several places where they connect.

Step 6

Keep a variety of cast pieces handy in small storage containers so they are ready to use when the creative design bug hits. In the Low Tech Casting class with Kim St. Jean, you will learn how to use scrap metals to make straw, water, and salt cast pieces that make your designs truly one-of-a-kind.

Embellish the assemblies using Low Tech Casting pieces and other embellishments that may be in your stash. Depending upon where the assemblies will be used, they may need to be shaped

How the assemblies will be used will determine how they need to be shaped. Adding jump rings can make them links. They can be soldered to a piece of sheet metal.

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!