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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Fine silver fusing

Over the next couple of days I'm going to be blogging about fine silver fusing. You can easily, with minimal equipment learn how to create your own headpins, rings, connectors, and all sorts of other components you dream up to jazz up your beaded jewelry. You don't need pickle, solder, and all of those other nasty chemicals. I've got a photo tutorial coming tomorrow on how to create fancy textured jump rings, and Friday we'll show you how to make a variety of other components.

Here's what you'll need.

Fine silver wire in a variety of gauges (20 to 14)
A set of needle files
A torch (small hardware store torch - $20 to $50)
A heat proof surface (soldering pad - jewelry supply stores)
Flush cutters
A flat head/smooth hammer
a ball pein hammer

Safety considerations - always work in a well ventilated area, wear goggles, and a respirator if you choose. There are fumes from the butane torch - and it's a good idea to never breathe in fumes :-)

More tomorrow, but in the meantime here's a link from beading daily on how to make headpins.

1 comment:

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

I am looking forward to this information on fusing. I've only ever made balled head pins and would love to learn more about using a torch with wire. Especially if you don't need to use solder or nasty chemicals.