In Another Life...

[DawninCal]

...this Autumn pendant was a pin. It was a thrift store find in the $1 bin. I thought it was cute and with Fall coming, I decided I could do something with it.

I removed the pin on the back, cleaned it up and soldered a bezel around the ceramic pin. I was concerned that the heat from the soldering iron would crack the ceramics, but it held up fine. Whew!

It took me quite some time to decide what to do with it. I considered putting it on a plain chain or cord, but I really wanted a few beads with it. However, none of the beads in my stash were quite right but then I remembered that I had some beautiful glass beads made by Deronda ONeill that Cat sent to me quite a while ago. I had put them away to save for the right project and now the right project had come along. I got them out and sure enough - they were perfect!





When it came time to make a clasp, I decided to attempt making one even though I was short on time. It's an idea that I've been mulling around lately and it seem like as good a time as any. I am really pleased with how this turned out especially since it was a first try.



Special thanks to Cat for saving the day!



Dawn

[michelle]

I love it, Dawn! So festive! And what a wonderful upcycle. Your soldering skills are improving quickly. What is the metal you are using?

[DawninCal]

Thank you, Michelle!

I do love giving new life to little things that have been discarded by others.

I am using copper tape, which is amazingly sticky, and covering it with solder that is approximately 95% tin and 5% silver. There is also a very small percentage of copper in the solder.



Dawn

[caeterle]

Such a perfect design. It really is as if the beads were made for the pin

Great job on the toggle as well, I can hardly believe it's a first attempt. Well done, you! It's fun to watch your soldering journey, I can't wait to see where it will be taking you.

[DawninCal]

Thank you, Cat! They really do work with that pin - it's amazing.

I truly am having so much fun with the solder. If only I'd known, I would have started a long time ago. Wait til you see what I'm working on now - I think I'll post a photo of him at the WIP forum later on today. He's so cute!



Dawn

[DawninCal]

I was able to get a better photo of the clasp today. For some reason, I'm having a difficult time getting a really clear picture of it.





Dawn

[Irith-Rita]

I love the cheerful colors. Very pretty.

[DawninCal]

Thank you, Irith!



Dawn