Silver and Gold Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Intermediate

Christmas memories of childhood started me thinking of snow, Children's Movies, Burl Ives singing "Silver and Gold" and how I could use the left over gold filled sheet I used to make Guardian Angel Ornaments for my grandchildren. These simple Artisan style earrings will be going to lots of friends this Christmas.

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-24SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $48.95
Gold Club Price: $36.71

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24 Gauge Half Hard Double Clad Gold Filled Sheet - 4 Inches

H4-24DCS4

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $71.78
Gold Club Price: $53.83

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Gold Filled Earwire Semi-Circle w/Bead End 14mm - Pack of 2

J19-56

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.06
Gold Club Price: $2.30

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Sterling Silver Earwires 29mm - Pack of 2

K19-55

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $30.64
Gold Club Price: $22.98

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Tools

Silver Solder Paste Soft SS65- 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.10

SOL-822.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.95
Gold Club Price: $12.71

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Aqui Flux, 1/2 Pint Spray Bottle

SOL-932.03

SOL-932.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.95
Gold Club Price: $5.21

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Black Max

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Liver of Sulphur Gel, 2 Ounce Bottle

SOL-610.02

SOL-610.02
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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Large Disc Cutter

DAP-410.10

DAP-410.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $55.95
Gold Club Price: $41.96

Out of Stock

Xuron Sheer - Non Serrated

SHR-691.81

SHR-691.81
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Euro Punch Plier 1.50mm

PLR-133.70

PLR-133.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2

G17-9

G17-9
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.97
Gold Club Price: $11.98

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GROBET FILE - BARRETTE CUT 2, 6"

FIL-31.030

FIL-31.030
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.20
Gold Club Price: $23.40

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Solderite Soldering Board 6 Inch by 6 Inch Soft

SOL-421.10

SOL-421.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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Wood Dapping Block with 2 Punches

DAP-128.00

DAP-128.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.97
Gold Club Price: $5.23

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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces

CLN-584.00

CLN-584.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

TRCH-8010
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

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Instructions

Step 1

Decide on the shape, size, and orientation of the silver background pieces. This is my notebook sketch after I decided on the size, which is smaller than I usually make. It was time to work a bit outside my comfort zone. Once the sizes and shapes are determined, transfer the designs to the sheet metal using stickers, a Sharpie marker, etc.

Judy Larson's Silver and Gold Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, silver and gold earrings

Step 2

It is faster and easier to use metal shears instead of a saw to cut out all the shapes. Don't worry about the bent edges from shears. A disc cutter makes quick work of cutting circles, but it also leaves an edge ridge. Edging texture in Step 10 takes care of that. Use a file to round the corners on the square and rectangular shapes.

Step 3

Use a Sharpie to mark where to place the hole to hang each earring shape from ear wires. Punch the hole with a 1.25mm or 1.5mm hole punch. The backs of each shape can be metal content stamped at this time, if desired.

Step 4

Place the pieces on a piece of scrap paper on a bench block. Give both sides of the pieces a light sanding with a 280 grit sanding sponge.

Step 5

Cut small pieces of gold filled sheet in a variety of sizes. As each piece is cut, use the flat side of the Mini TruStrike Planishing Hammer to hammer it flat on a bench block.

Pro Tip: Make tiny shapes in wire and flatten to use as elements.

Step 6

Place the tiny gold pieces on the silver background in a pleasing arrangement. Leave space on each silver piece for background texturing.

Pro Tip: Work with only a few shapes at a time. Just a small jostling of the work surface and all the pieces will move out of place.

Step 7

Remove one piece of gold at a time. Place a SMALL amount of easy paste solder on that spot. Press the gold piece into the solder. If globs of solder squish out from under the gold, too much paste solder was used.

Step 8

Space the pieces out on a Solderite board. Warm the pieces with the torch. Mist the pieces with flux. Warm and flux again, and then heat until the solder flows. The flux protects the gold surface metal of the gold filled pieces. Easy paste solder flows at a low temperature, so the gold will not as easily get fire scale, which the flux also protects against.

Step 9

Pickle, rinse, and dry all the pieces. At this point, the silver background has a frosty appearance and the gold is not quite as shiny as it was originally.

Step 10

Hammering around the edges of each piece with the larger side of the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer (large) give the edge a slight diamond cut appearance.

Step 11

Add "snow" to the pieces with the smaller side of the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer (small). Use it more heavily in the more open areas on each piece. Avoid the attached gold pieces.

Step 12

Use a small dot metal stamp to add dots in areas where the Mini TruStrike Embossing Hammer could not be used.

Step 13

Use the rounded side of the Mini TruStrike Planishing Hammer to "facet" the attached gold pieces.

Step 14

Run a 240 grit sanding pad around the edges of each piece. Tumble the pieces for several hours to finish softening the edges a bit.

Step 15

Patina the pieces. Gold does not take a liver of sulfur patina. The pieces could be called done right as they are quite striking, but over time, unless it is sealed, the dark patina will start to flake off.

Step 16

Use steel wool or a 400 grit sanding pad to remove patina to highlight the texture on each piece.

Step 17

Using a wooden dapping block and nylon punch will protect the texture on each piece. Place a piece right side down inside a dapping well. Use a nylon punch to shape the piece. Move down in well size until the desired dome is achieved.

Step 18

Use a 400 grit sanding pad to remove a bit more patina from some of the silver areas, if desired.

Step 19

Tumble 15 or 20 minutes to bring up a shine. If they are tumbled too long, a lot of patina will be removed, although some will still be left. When done, rinse and dry the pieces.

Step 20

Attach ear wires.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!