I recently received a new book Soldered Alchemy: 24 Jewelry Projects Using New Soft-Solder Techniques
She covers all the essentials in the beginning of the book including the soldering equipment and supplies you need. What she didn't do though was to suggest specific models of soldering irons - she says just to get high quality ones which is not particularly useful for newbies who might not know the difference between a good soldering iron and one that is not.
The important safety tips are also in this section as well as the different patinas she uses. She recommends using a rheostat to help adjust the temperature of the soldering iron especially for decorative work. Many of the 24 projects have drops of solder as decorative balls as shown in this beginner project below.
The soft soldering technique is most often associated with that used for stained glass work. Thus this author covers how to use copper foil to surround a focal and to "tin" (cover with solder) it.
But what makes her book outstanding is how she marries soft soldering with wire work. As you can see from the instruction page for the china shard pendant shown above, she bridges the gaps between the extra wire work with solder. The result resembles a metal work piece without the hassle! Absolutely clever!
As the lead free solder used is silver in color, it can be a stark contrast with copper work. So the author also demonstrates how she uses copper patina to cover the silvery portion to match the rest of the piece as shown in the Copper Waves bracelet below. She also uses black patina.
The following are some of my favorite projects from the book. The author does say that bridging the gaps between the wires with molten solder takes practice. It also helps not to have too wide a gap. However, the Ankh pendant below is testament of how it can indeed be done with wider spaces.
A wonderful book to get started into soft soldering with tons of inspiration, one I recommend. This book now joins my list of favorites (see rightmost sidebar).
Giveaway
If you'd like to win a copy of Soldered Alchemy, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international.
If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Thursday, July 9, 2015 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
Before You Go:
- Book Review - Hot and Cold Jewelry Connections
- Book Review - Soldering Beyond the Basics
- Easy Soldering with a Butane Lighter
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
I'd love to pick up some new soft solder techniques. I've been working with the basics for 13+ years, it's time to learn some new tricks!
ReplyDeleteDear Pearl,
ReplyDeleteI love your persistence with giveaways. I also love giveaways. I want to learn more about soldering and since I finally have a work bench to work at, it is past time to begin. I and learning about cold connections now, but I would be remiss if I didn't move on to soldering also. That being said, please enter me to win this giveaway, and be assured I will give many shout outs about this opportunity.
Beautiful artwork. I would love a copy of Soldered Alchemy.
ReplyDeleteWhat fascinating looking book Pearl! Your review is very detailed and helped explain a lot to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Mona
this looks like an amazing book. I tried soft soldering for the first time this past weekend and it was definitely trial and error . esp the error part. I would love to win this book .
ReplyDeletei am a follower of your blog for a few years now and you constantly inspire me to try new techniques , thank you for a well written and informative blog.
deb 4 tin at g mail dot com
Well isn't this just perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteHaving just turned out those 3 bracelets with this technique I'm really interested in learning more about it. I could probably even learn the right way to do it!! :0)
Chuck my name in there Pearl and I'll give it a whirl.
Your excellent review has given me the look inside of this book that I have been wondering about. Now that I can see what is actually offered by Laura - I know I'll be adding this to my collection either way!
Thanks Pearl!!!!
I need this. My kids won't let me play with a torch (I'm 75 years old) but I've used a soldering iron before and think one will work for me again.
ReplyDeleteI follow Laura beth's work and I find it very interesting but I never thought such filling up was possible with solder and soldering iron before. Thsi opens up many more possibilities. Thanks for the chance to win it
ReplyDeleteI so, so, so need this book. I am learning how to solder and this would help me tremendously. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! I need this book! Being new to metalsmithing, I need all the help I can get to please my friends, family, and potential clients. The work shown in the book review for 'Soldered Alchemy' is awesome… Please, please, please…pick me for this wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI forgot! My contact email is catatac@suddenlink.net.
DeleteThis looks like great fun! Thanks Pearl
ReplyDeleteCarol
Designingit.etsy.com
These are beautiful pieces and I would love to learn more about this kind of jewellery making! I am a subscriber and blog follower, and can be contacted at retro-grrl@hotmail.com should I be lucky enough to win-fingers n toes crossed!
ReplyDeleteThe book seems to be very well written and the pictures are stunning! I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. Thanks so much for the offer of this giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteThis would be great. I already know how to solder, I just didn't think I could use it in jewelry. Would love this book.
ReplyDeleteI'm a blog follower.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted about your post, the book and giveaway.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/kayzkreationz/status/616612721916710912
I love the wire work soldering. Thank you for introducing this book. Follow, tweet, Facebook share, g+ and pinned.
ReplyDeleteAhhh. Soldering is one technique I wish I had learned earlier on. Soft soldering sounds like the best way to start
ReplyDeleteI would l8ve to give this a try....soldering is on my bucket list. Betty Strait
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn how to solder !
ReplyDeleteI am a blog subscriber.
voltzia@gmail.com
Looks like a wonderful book to add to my collection. I'll be tweeting and sharing on facebook.
ReplyDeleteI just took a jewelry soldering class and am very excited to use my knowledge. I picked up the equipment and supplies. This book would be awesome!
ReplyDeletecarleeo@cableone.net
This could very well be the way I get into soldering....have been very hesitant to start.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to learn to solder. This might be a good way to start.
ReplyDeletelangerfeld@twc.com
Would love to win this book and expand my wire sculpture techniques. Thanks for the opportunity, Pearl.
ReplyDeleteI'm a blog subscriber.
donnacorn@juno.com
I'm a blog subscriber and follower and still have my stained glass supplies - I can do this - with help from the book.
ReplyDeletePearl, I am eager to want to try this to expand my jewelry making, giving and selling abilities! I shared publicly on my google+, Facebook, Julia Reagan and Trujewel, and Twitter, AUJEWEL
ReplyDeleteThanks for your hard work for your followers and subscribers!!
via Google+
Beautiful use of the solder. I thought I had seen everything!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I need to get me started in soldering!
ReplyDeleteHey Pearl,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win this book - the technique looks really interesting.
Cheers
victoria_farrell at hotmail dot com
Oh, I have always wanted to learn soldering. Sounds like a fantastic book. Thansk for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI am also a blog follower
ReplyDeleteI love to solder and this book looks like it has so many great ideas and unusual techniques. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome looking book.
ReplyDeleteI am also a blog subscriber.
Hi Pearl, I'm a blog follower and your blog is one of my most favorite. I would love to win this book. I have always wanted to learn to solder! Thank you for always hosting such wonderful giveaways!
ReplyDeleteDebra Schwartz msd.katz@hotmail.com
Shared on FB!
ReplyDeleteDebra Schwartz :)
Looks like a great book!
ReplyDeleteThanks
Alikat2004 on Ravelry.com
I have been very curious about this technique for a long time! This sounds like the book I need! Pick me! Pick me!
ReplyDeleteGail
Gspeers@sympatico.ca
I would love to win this book! I bought a soldering iron and lead free solder a few years ago fully intending to learn how to make jewelry with it. What a great opportunity to finally learn!
ReplyDeleteI'm always interested in learning new techniques. This looks like a very handy book, and tons of inspiration is always helpful.
ReplyDeletekaysuet@hotmail.com
I am a blog subscriber.
ReplyDeletekaysuet@hotmail.com
I am so excited to see this and would love to win this book. I have had a desire to try this for sometime and this win would spur me on to do it. Have been collecting broken potter and China just for this purpose but I need great instructions to master it. Thanks for the chance to win. My email is peggywhiz@cableone.net
ReplyDeleteI've been practicing my soldering techniques but I could always use some new and improved help!
ReplyDeleteAngi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com
I am a blog follower
ReplyDeleteAngi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com
Wow, looks great! If I'm lucky enough to win, My blog is http:/artfuldreamer dot blogspot dot com
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to learn how to solder, and this offers so many creative ideas! Thank you. creations@collyar.net
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this! I have been trying soldering with varying degrees of success, and this book sounds like the solution! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHi Pearl,
ReplyDeleteThis is another fabulous post about a book that I have been trying to get my hands on a copy of. Thank you for the honest review of it and for the giveaway of this book.
I have spread the love on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest.
Here is the link to my Pinterest post. Thought you might like to see it.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/239113061442951019/
I am a newbie to jewellery making and need all the help I can get! ;)
ReplyDeleteemail@decoratenow.com.au
Great description on your book review! Thanks for all of the information. I do some soldering with inconsistent results and would love to win this book to help build my skills.
ReplyDeleteI am a blog subscriber.
Shout outs to pinterest, twitter and facebook
I have a soldering iron but have never used it. I've been waiting for the right book to come along, that will explain it's uses to me. This giveaway is perfect for me!
ReplyDeleteI' m sure that if my husband can solder with a soldering iron then I can too. This book looks a brilliant way to prove my theory - or not!!!
ReplyDeleteshw_samuel@sky.com
I have been thinking about going to my next level as jewelry maker and what could be my call when I read this blog today I knew that soft soldering was what i needed to learn ! I am a fan of your blog and I look forward to winning this book ... Thank You michele_valensi@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy.Ican do shout outs too. Sharilynn67@msn.com
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this...thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it's right up my alley,I already have the tools from doing stained glass.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book! I'm a blog subscriber (through Bloglovin) and a facebook follower.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book! I'm a blog subscriber (through Bloglovin) and a facebook follower.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. I did soldering years ago but not with jewelry.
ReplyDeleteAlso shared on FBk, Nanamet2010@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! I would love to enter for a chance to win it
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog on Bloglovin' as Shaiha
ReplyDeleteI follow your FB page as Shaiha Williams
ReplyDeleteI shared on FB
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/sShaiha/posts/10206977209138197
I am also a blog follower. I really would love to win this wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a marvelous book. I want to add soldering to my knowledge. Thank you for a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI posted on my facebook page.
ReplyDeleteGah -- I don't have time to read my Feedly feeds for a week and I almost miss a giveaway for a book on my wishlist?! Hope I'm not too late (too tired to try and figure out the time in North America right now) as I'd love a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteYou just made it by about 1.5 hours!!
DeleteLooks fantastic! Would love to win! =)
ReplyDelete