Wire Links 7, 8, 9, and 10

by Judy Larson

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

Here are 4 more wire links. Use them for bracelets, necklace chains, or earrings.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20D

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

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14 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-14D

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $14.05
Gold Club Price: $10.54

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16 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-16D

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $9.03
Gold Club Price: $6.77

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16 Gauge Square Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-16SQD

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $11.39
Gold Club Price: $8.55

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Sterling Silver Ball Chain 2mm - 10 Feet

C8-112U

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $111.00
Gold Club Price: $83.25

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Sterling Silver Ball Chain 1.5mm - 10 Feet

C8-111U

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $65.40
Gold Club Price: $49.05

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Tools

Wubbers Medium Bail Making Pliers

G2-1302

G2-1302
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $27.95
Gold Club Price: $20.96

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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
Gold Club Price: $26.98

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Wubbers Large Bail Making Pliers

G2-1303

G2-1303
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $27.97
Gold Club Price: $20.98

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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Solderite Soldering Board 6 Inch by 6 Inch Soft

SOL-421.10

SOL-421.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.76
Gold Club Price: $11.07

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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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Single 3rd Hand with Tweezer and Base

HOL-165.00

HOL-165.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.97
Gold Club Price: $14.23

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Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, White

TRCH-8012

TRCH-8012
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

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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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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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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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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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Basic Sawing Kit

G15-7

G15-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $34.95
Gold Club Price: $26.21

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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces

CLN-584.00

CLN-584.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

Thumlers Tumbler Model AR-1 Rock Tumbler Kit

G34-102

G34-102
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $204.18
Gold Club Price: $153.14

Out of Stock

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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Instructions

Step 1:

Link 7 - two versions

Read through directions before starting the project.

Make a coil with 14 (used here) or 16 gauge round wire on the smallest mandrel section of a Large Wrap 'N' Tap pliers. Make a coil with 16 gauge round wire on the larger side of a Wubbers Medium Round Mandrel Pliers.

Judy Larson's Wire Links 7, 8, 9, and 10 - Link 7 - two versions, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, wire links

Step 2

Cut the coils into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings.

Step 3

Close the larger jump rings. Two flat nose pliers or a flat nose and chain nose pliers are usually used to close jump rings. However, it may be easier to use two inexpensive wide flat nose pliers to close the larger jump rings used here. It is important that the cut ends of each jump ring are perfectly flush or the ring seams will not fuse or connect well with solder.

Judy Larson's Wire Links 7, 8, 9, and 10 - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, wire links

Step 4

Space the closed rings out on a Solderite board. Fuse the ring seams or use a small bit of medium paste solder under each seam and heat until the solder flows.

Step 5

Use a round nose pliers to stretch the round links into an oval shape. Try to place the ring seam where the center of the link will be so it will be covered with embellishments. Keep checking the seam during the process. If it looks like the seam is opening, fuse again or resolder the seam.

Step 6

Leaving the oval ring on the round nose pliers, use flat nose pliers to press the wire centers together. Flat nose pliers can leave dents in the oval ring. If not covering the center of the squashed oval ring, round nose or soft jaw round nose pliers would be better to use.

Step 7

Version A
Open three smaller jump rings. One at a time, place a small jump ring on the center of the squashed oval ring and close it. There is no need to solder these rings closed as they are not structural parts.

Step 8

Version B
Cut a 6" length of 20 gauge round wire for each link. Bend in the center. Place the bent wire on the center of the stretched link. Make a messy wrap with the wire, crossing the wires a few times. Stop wrapping when the wire tails are a bit more than 5/8" long on the same side of the link. Trim the wire tails to 5/8" in length from the outside of the wire wrap.

Step 9

Ball the ends of the wire to a point where the wire ends will wrap to the front of the link and be seen. If the balled ends stop on the side, or wrap over to the back side, they will not be as visible.

Step 10

Wrap the balled wire ends to the front of the link. Place a bit of medium paste solder on the wrapped wires that the balled ends touch. Heat until the solder flows and the balled wire ends are connected to the wraps. Use a solder pick to press them into place during soldering, if needed.

Step 11:

Link 8 - two versions

Make a coil with 14 (used here) or 16 gauge round wire on the larger side of a Wubbers Large Round Mandrel Pliers.

Step 12

Cut the coil into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings.

Step 13

Close the jump rings. Two flat nose pliers or a flat nose and chain nose pliers are usually used to close jump rings. However, it may be easier to use two inexpensive wide flat nose pliers to close the large jump rings used here. It is important that the cut ends of each jump ring are perfectly flush or the ring seams will not fuse or connect well with solder.

Step 14

Space the closed rings out on a Solderite board. Fuse the ring seams or use a small bit of medium paste solder under each seam and heat until the solder flows.

Step 15

Lightly flatten all the fused/soldered rings on a bench block using a Mini TruStrike Designer/Texture Hammer or any flat faced hammer. It does not matter if the hammer face is not smooth because each ring will be textured. The slight flattening helps keep the texturing hammer from sliding off the rounded top of the ring when texturing. Use the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer to texture around the ring.

Step 16

Version A
Ball one 3/8" length and one 7/8" length of 18 gauge wire on a magnesia solder brick for each link. Clean and flatten the backs of each ball on 320 grit sandpaper on a bench block.

Step 17

Place a small amount of medium paste solder the inside edge of the ring. Place the larger ball inside the ring, flat side down, and push into the solder. Hold the ball and ring in place and put a bit more medium paste solder on the ring next to the ball and on the larger ball where the smaller ball will touch. Push the smaller ball into place, flat side down, up against the ring and the larger ball. Heat until the solder flows.

Step 18

Version B
The water cast "flowers" used in this version are from my stash. Watch wirejewelry's Low Tech Casting with Kim St. Jean for directions on how to make them.

Place a small amount of medium paste solder on one section of a ring. Press a small water casting into it. One may look great. If not, decide where the next water casting will go, place more medium paste solder on the ring and press the casting into it. Heat until the solder flows. Keep a solder pick handy to nudge the water castings back into place if they move from the force of the flame. Hint: The backs of the water casting may be a bit too rounded to sit flat so file a small flat area on them if needed.

Step 19:

Link 9

Make a coil with 16 gauge round wire on the smaller side of a Wubbers Extra Large Round Mandrel Pliers. Any size outer ring will work to make this link. The fun smashed bead rings were made with 9.5mm ID 16 gauge jump rings and 2mm ball chain. The tiny ones were made with 7.5mm 16 gauge jump rings and 1.5mm ball chain.

Step 20

Cut the coil into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings.

Step 21

Step 22

Space the closed rings out on a Solderite board. Fuse the ring seams or use a small bit of medium paste solder under each seam and heat until the solder flows.

Step 23

Cut a length of ball chain to fit inside the ring. Don't worry if it is cut a ball too short or long. Because it is ball chain and not wire, the ball chain can easily stretch out or contract to make it fit the space.

Step 24

Spread medium paste solder around the inner edge of the ring.

Step 25

Place the ball chain inside the ring and press into the paste solder, making sure that the balls touch the inner edge of the ring. Heat until the solder flows.

Step 26

If the ball chain ring is to be flattened, place it on a bench block. Use a smooth flat faced hammer to lightly tap the surface of the ring until the desired look is achieved. If the chain becomes dislodged, heat it again until the solder re-flows.

Step 27

Link 10
Twist 12" of 16 gauge square wire. Hint: Twisted square wire to makes nice connector jump rings so twist more wire than needed.

Step 28

Because twisted wire is work hardened, anneal it so that it will be easier to form into coils.

Step 29

Make coils with 16 gauge round wire and the 16 gauge twisted square wire on the smaller side of a Wubbers Extra Large Round Mandrel Pliers.

Step 30

Cut the coils into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings.

Step 31

Close the round wire jump rings. Two flat nose pliers or a flat nose and chain nose pliers are usually used to close jump rings. However, it may be easier to use two inexpensive wide flat nose pliers to close the larger jump rings used here. It is important that the cut ends of each jump ring are perfectly flush or the ring seams will not fuse or connect well with solder.

Step 32

Space the closed rings out on a Solderite board. Fuse the ring seams or use a small bit of medium paste solder under each seam and heat until the solder flows.

Step 33

Open the twisted jump rings. Connect one twisted jump ring to a fused/soldered ring from Step 22. Close the ring. If the square sides of the twisted jump ring do not match up, the ends can be tweaked a bit with two chain nose pliers.

Step 34

Place the unit on the edge of a Solderite board, as shown. Place a small amount of medium paste solder under the seam of the twisted ring. Heat until the solder flows.

Step 35

Now that all the links are made................

Pickle and rinse all the links to remove any fire scale or light discoloration. Rinse and dry. Rinse and dry.

Use 320, 400, and then 600 grit sandpaper or sanding pads to clean and refine the solder joins where needed.

Tumble in shot, water and a drop of dish liquid for several hours.

Remove the links from the tumbler and rinse. If the all the parts of each piece are still attached, the solder joins are likely permanent. If not, the old solder should be filed off and the pieces soldered together again.

Note: Wait to patina until all the links are connected in the desired manner.

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!