It is official, the problem is the solder. I used lead solder to make the pendants for the butterfly pieces and they turned out great - smooth, shiny, no burnt bits. Then tonight I made this one with the lead free solder and the pendant is the opposite. OK, it is not that bad, but just not satisfactory to me.
Note to self - work on getting Silvergleam solder, I believe that it will make all the difference.
Thank you to all of you who left such nice comments on my butterfly piece. It encourages me, and makes me think that I am on the right road for now. Thank you again. I am honored that you would visit me and take the time to let me know.
It is all give and take. Through blogging I have found so many neat artists who have their own little art worlds that I can slip into and visit and enjoy and learn from. What did we all do before blogging? Waited longingly for the next issue of Somerset Studio... Okay I still do that, but now we can find out easily what other artists are doing online right now. I have a list of blogs I check out daily and weekly, you know who you are! It's fun, it's free, it's colorful. It's inspiring.
Beautiful.
ReplyDeletelove this!! you truly make me want to start dabbling in a new artistic area....shhhh! don't tell my mark! he thinks i have enough art supplies.
ReplyDeletewhere's the order form? love it!!
ReplyDeleteYou're going to have make more of these! I'm next in line to Shannon R. I love it. Being your accountability partner, I think we'll have to change your chart to 3 pieces of jewelry per week... 2 for friends to purchase & 1 for you :)
ReplyDeleteMarcus came home today telling how cool your necklace was. Were you wearing this one?
ReplyDeleteyes, she wore it today! i didn't point it out when we chatted, as i was hoping to well...use my advanced pick-pocket training to skillfully remove it during service. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it!! Want it!! Did I say that 'out loud'?! ;-)
ReplyDeleteDear Shona,
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting your link from Lisa Guerin's blog. I just made some soldered charms too and I have a trick for you. Photos on my blog. After you do the soldering, brush solder with warm soapy water and a steel bristle brush you can find at a hardware store. They look a lot like toothbrushes, only slightly bigger. It leaves an awesome gleeming satin finish. I haven't used the silver gleem yet, although I have some. I know what you mean about the burn spots. Use the brush. It works.