Sprinkles Link

by Judy Larson

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

Coming up with new ways to use Argentium scrap wire and sheet is a constant challenge with the amount of scrap I produce. Rustic and organic pieces are always fun to make with scrap.

When experimenting, this link was the result. It sat all alone for several years until I decided to take another look at it. Of course, enough time had passed that I forgot how I made it and the notes I left with it seemed like gibberish. Recreating it was a challenge I could not resist!

These fun links are a bit reminiscent of shaped spritz cookies with sprinkles. Imagine coloring the "sprinkles" or ridges with gel nail polish for a festive holiday look!

Materials

Argentium scrap

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

18 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-18H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $5.08
Gold Club Price: $3.81

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Tools

Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.15

SOL-822.15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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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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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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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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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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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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Lindstrom Multi-Purpose Shear, 5-3/4 Inches

G2-6000

G2-6000
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $39.95
Gold Club Price: $29.96

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Chasing Hammer - Flat Faced with Polished Wooden Handle - Pack of 1

G3-13

G3-13
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.97
Gold Club Price: $8.98

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Wubbers X-Large Round Mandrel Pliers

G2-1304

G2-1304
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $35.97
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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.

Not everyone has a pile of scrap on hand so 18 gauge wire was used to make these links. Written in my notes was the following link size information.

Since wire has a spring back quality and does not wind tightly on the plier barrel, and I was not sure which size I originally made, I decided to make the medium link for this tutorial.

Small link: 5 rings using the large side of Large Wubbers Round Mandrel Pliers

Medium link: 6 rings using the small side of Extra-Large Wubbers Round Mandrel Pliers

Large link: 6 rings using the large side of Extra-Large Wubbers Round Mandrel Pliers

Since the rings will be cut and fused together, it is not necessary to be precise in coiling the wire. Using 18 gauge round wire, make a long enough coil to make up to 10 links for a bracelet, depending wrist size.

If Argentium scrap is available, follow the directions in "Argentium Silver Scrap Chain" to make the base part of the links. Then continue to Step 5.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, make wire rings

Step 2

Use a Lindstrom Multi-Purpose Shear to cut the coil into links.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, cut the wire links

Step 3

Interconnect the rings as for a Mobius link, making sure to offset all the ring seams. Place the ring assembly on a soldering surface.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, connect the wire rings

Step 4

Heat the mobius stacked rings until the rings fuse. Keep heating until the link rings no longer can be easily seen.

They do not need to be perfectly round or smooth. Be careful not to heat the link so much that it starts to melt and pull in on itself. Leave the piece on the soldering surface.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, fuse the rings all together

Step 5

For the "sprinkles," cut three or four 18 gauge 3mm or 3.5mm ID jump rings in half and thirds.

The size jump rings used in this step depends on how wide the link ring sides are. Arrange the pieces haphazardly around the link as shown.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, cut tiny pieces of wire

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, place wire sprinkiles onto the fused links

Step 6

Heat the link until the "sprinkles" and "cookie" start to melt into each other. IMMEDIATELY remove the heat.

If the "sprinkles" have melted too far into the "cookie," just add a few more sprinkles and fuse into place. Allow the link to cool on the soldering surface.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, heat up the links

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, fuse the wire bits to the rings

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, bracelet links

Step 7

Remove solder board residue from the back of the link. File and refine the surface of the link to remove any sharp edges.

Step 8

Pickle the link. Since I use Sparex pickle, I neutralize the link in baking soda water, then rinse it and allow it to dry.

Step 9

Straighten the sides of two 18 gauge 5mm ID Argentium jump rings to make the connecting loops. Adjust the straight ends to make sure that each adjusted jump ring sits flat against a bench block. Use a flat faced hammer to flatten the straight ends.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, flatten the sides of a jump ring

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, hammer the ends flat

Step 10

Set the connected loops on a soldering surface as shown.

Pro Tip: Setting a finished link ring on top of them will help with the positioning.

Place a small amount of medium paste solder as shown on each connection loop.

Position the finished link ring on the loops, looking at it from all directions to make sure the connecting loops are positions exactly where you want them.

Make any adjustments needed.

Pro Tip: Attach just one loop to a link to make an earring drop, pendant, or a toggle O-Ring.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, add solder to the rings

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, place a link onto the solder

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, one loop will make an earring

Step 11

Heat the link until the solder flows. Allow the link to cool before moving it.

Pro Tip: Longer connecting loops would allow for an embellishment to be added to the center of the link.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, heat the link until the solder flows

Step 12

Use a flush cutter to cut away the excess wire tails of the connecting loops.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, snip any extra wire

Step 13

Follow the directions in "Argentium Silver Scrap Chain" to make a toggle T-Bar, adding "sprinkles" to it.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, make a toggle t-bar

Step 14

Connect all the links as desired. If the jump rings connecting the links are soldered, clean the joins.

Step 15

Pickle the connected link chain. Since I use Sparex pickle, neutralized the chain in baking soda water. Rinse and dry the piece.

Step 16

Tumble the piece for several hours to bring up a nice shine.

Judy Larson's Sprinkles Link - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, tumble the bracelet to make it shine

Step 17:

NOTES

Notice that the O-Ring is connected to the bracelet chain with two jump rings. To my eye, it fits the heavier look of the links better than single jump rings used to connect the bracelet links.

I am just not sure exactly how I want to finish this piece. In fact, I had so much fun making the links, I kept forgetting to take process photos.

So...I had to make more links. This happened several times, so I now have enough links for a necklace, several pairs of earrings, and possibly a bracelet.

I have to keep reminding myself that there is nothing wrong with setting something aside while I think on it a bit more. I might even have to make more!

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!