Project by Linnea Lockwood from Clayton, N.C.
Linnea makes a pendant by framing a piece of artwork in a soldered frame between a piece of glass and a mirror. She completes the piece with a deerskin neck strap and handmade precious metal clay (PMC) charm that will dangle from the bottom.
Materials:
small piece of clear glass
small mirror tile
clear nail polish
copper foil tape
burnisher
9-11 sterling silver 5.5 mm jump rings
soldering iron
flux
solder
glossy paper
assorted rubber stamps
Marvy markers
deerskin necklace strap
large 8mm holed spacer bead
2 sterling silver crimp ends
handmade precious metal clay (PMC) charm
helping hand tool
Steps:
1. Create artwork using rubber stamps with Marvy markers. To achieve shades of color, use different markers applied directly to the stamp. When coloring is completed, stamp on glossy paper. Your design should be approximately 2 inches tall and 1 inch wide.
2. Cut two pieces of glass and mirror half the size of the total design. Note: This is a "continuing design" piece--each piece of glass and mirror will encase one half of the total design. The design should be approximately 1" x 2", so each glass and mirror piece will be 1" x 1" (keep in mind that the design closest to the edge will be covered by the copper foil).
3. Cut the artwork to fit into each mirror piece and position it inside the glass and mirror.
4. Use clear nail polish around the edges of the mirrors and let dry. This is to prevent deterioration of mirror that flux can cause over time.
5. Put the mirror down first with actual mirror backing facing you. Put down artwork right side up and proceed to put down clear glass on top, making sure that the glass is clean. Foil each section (or sandwich) with copper foil. Center each section on the tape evenly so that the overlap will be approximately the same.
6. Once each section is foiled, complete by burnishing. Burnishing is just pressing the foil with a blunt object to secure the foil onto the glass, making sure there are no ridges or air bubbles.
7. Using solder and soldering iron, begin by placing solder on all foiled areas so that the copper foil disappears and all you see is the solder--just a light coat to cover at this point.
8. Decide where to solder the jump rings. Using a helping hands tool to hold the piece, solder jump rings at top, middle and bottom of piece, remembering that in the center the two sections will be attached using jump rings, so it is important that they are lined up. Use a marker to make sure they are placed correctly. Solder all rings at this time, including the jump ring at the very bottom that will eventually hold the charm.
9. Using a moderately heated soldering iron, decorate each piece using decorative solder techniques. Drop hot solder balls onto the framework in different areas to give the frame a three-dimensional look. (Do the front first and then flip the piece and also decorate the back of each piece.)
10. After all soldering is complete, use a damp paper towel with a little mild soap to carefully clean each piece. NEVER immerse in water--the frames are not waterproof and water can seep in and ruin a piece if you are not careful. Wipe with a clean damp towel and then dry.
11. Apply patina at this point or finish with a finishing wax. If using a patina: Wipe a small amount of patina on frame using a cotton swab. When complete, use finishing wax. Apply the wax and then use a clean towel to polish by rubbing in a quick motion against the dry clean towel.
12. Assemble the two pieces together with two jump rings for each joint in the center.
13. Attach crimp ends to deerskin (two 18-inch lengths). This can be adjusted based on each individual taste. Attach each deerskin piece by crimp end to jump rings at the top of each piece using two jump rings to connect on each side.
14. Use a large spacer bead with a hole large enough to accommodate both pieces of deerskin. Slide bead over both ends. After sliding the bead down, tie knots in each end of deerskin so that the slider bead will not slide off.
15. To make charm: Roll out a piece of PMC to a thickness of about 1 mm. Stamp a design onto the clay with a rubber stamp. Use a knife or cutter to cut out the shape charm you desire--round, heart, square etc.
16. Follow manufacturer's label instructions for drying and firing clay.
17. Once piece is fired, clean with wire brush and tumble in tumbler if desired. Patina using liver of sulphur and, finally, use a very fine piece of sanding paper to take off patina in areas, leaving it in the recesses to give the charm depth
18. Attach charm at the bottom of the two-piece pendant using jump rings.
Website: www.linnayyah.com
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