When Things Go Awry

by Judy Larson

Jewelry making can be erratic. Sometimes things don't go smoothly, or as planned. Here's how Judy Larson deals with that issue.

Instructions

Things started to go wrong during soldering all the parts of the Emerald Flower Pendant to the backplate, which is how the Bali Headdress came to be. I was not paying close enough attention to the torch flame and solder. The solder bubbled, which moved three of the leaves/petals in one direction and the bezel in another. I know myself well enough that I would have melted something if I kept going, so I did a quick nudge of a few pieces and then left it alone.

The bezel for the flower was a bit off center which was not very noticeable until after the piece was cut out. Trying to visually re-balance things, I soldered silver balls in descending sizes to the side of the bezel. I was not happy with the result and at the same time, I realized that I did not like the design as much as I thought I would. Thinking back, an oval stone probably would have worked better in the design.

When something like this happens, I just set the project aside for a while and hope inspiration strikes. Nothing came to mind until a friend came over and we started talking Asian and Bali design. I ran to my workbench, turned the piece around, and the Bali Headdress was born! Taking away some of the petals made an Emerald Pendant I liked much better.

Judy Larson's When Things Go Awry - , General Education, , soldering mishap

Moral of the story: Our aggravation at our mistake makes it difficult to clearly see a path toward a solution. Set things aside when you aren't happy with them. It may take a while, but the solution will come. The ideas will flow, just not right away. Go on to something else.

Remind yourself that every mistake is a learning experience, and mistakes often turn into something unexpected and beautiful.

Materials

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Tools

Deluxe Soldering Kit

G15-5

G15-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $116.97
Gold Club Price: $87.73

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): General Education

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!

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