Silver Wire Fusing

Silver Wire Fusing

Liz Jones

Deceptively Simple Necklace

TO O L S AN D E Q U I PM E NT 5 mm, 10 mm, 17 mm, 27 mm mandrels Wire cutters (I recommend Lindstrom or horse cutters) Stainless-steel work surface Firebrick

You’ll receive endless compliments when you

Butane microtorch

wear this quick and easy necklace. It looks much

Quenching bowl

Hot-pliers

more impressive than the time it took to whip it

Bench block

up. Destined to become a signature piece, it goes

2-hole metal punch

with everything. Pick any bead you want to link the components together.

Chasing hammer Tumbler and stainless-steel shot

YO U ’ LL N E E D : Fused rings: Small: One 5mm, 12 gauge Medium-small: One 10mm, 12 gauge Medium-large: One 17mm, 12 gauge Large: One 27mm, 12 gauge 12" (30.5 cm) of 22-gauge sterling silver wire 1 bead. Pictured: 12mm nugget fire polished glass, chartreuse 36" (91.4 cm) of 2mm waxed cotton cord One 3mm sterling silver cord clasp (there should be 2 components: a hook and an eye-cord end)

Need to Know Making the cut (page 23) Fusing a ring (page 26) Hammering metal (page 27) Tumbling (page 27) Wire wrapping a loop (page 118)

1

2

Step 1:

Close and fuse all 4 rings separately.

Step 2:

Hammer flat and texture.

Step 3:

U  sing the small bit of 2-hole punch, line up in center of flattened wire (Figure 1).

Step 4:

T wist the bit down until it punches through the metal. Gently twist the bit back (don’t ever pull the metal off; this is likely to break the bit!) until the metal falls off.

Step 5:

Tumble all rings for 30 minutes.

Step 6:

J oin all together with 22-gauge sterling large wire wrap (Figure 2).

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Step 7:

Add a bead and create a wire-wrapped loop above the bead.

Step 8:

C  ut cord to length (here: two 18" lengths [45.7 cm]) and insert each end of the cord into a cord clasp. Using the tips of chainnose pliers, crimp the middle of the clasp. Slip on your fused pendant and repeat crimping for the second half of the clasp (Figure 3).

PROJEC T GALLERY

My Mom’s Favorite CZ Earrings

Black Tie Cubic Zirconia Necklace Cha-Cha Earrings

Arm Candy Oval Bracelet

Totally Money Stamped Bracelet

Going Organic Necklace

Livin’ Large Hammered Pendant

SilverWire FuSing Learn to use your fuse and create stunning silver jewelry! Jewelry Studio: Silver Wire Fusing is a step-bystep guide to a no-muss no-fuss version of silversmithing. Since less equipment is required— fine silver is heated with a torch to fuse it without solder—it is a cost-effective way to learn basic metalsmithing skills. Even the most basic beginner will find silver fusing fun, easy to master, and extremely inspiring. Best of all, you can make stunning projects right on your kitchen table! First, get to know the tools needed for fusing, then explore all the basic skills. Along the way learn professional tips and tricks to make your experience fun, safe, and successful. Once you’ve mastered the basics, follow the step-by-step photos to create beautiful bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more in no time!

Liz Jones is a workshop teacher and buyer for Fusion Beads in Seattle and has been designing her own jewelry since 2001. Her designs have been featured in Stringing magazine. She specializes in a variety of techniques including wire wrapping, chain mail, basic beading, Viking knit, and silver fusing. Paperbound, 8½ x 9, 120 pages 90 photographs, 271 illustrations ISBN 978-1-59668-066-1 $22.95 April 2008

CONTENTS: 1

Tools and Materials The Essential Materials Setting Up Your Work Space

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Fusing Fundamentals Wielding Your Torch Filling Your Torch Lighting Your Torch Practice: Ball Head Pins Making the Cut Fusing a Ring Hammering Metal Tumbling and Professional Finishing Basic Chain Fusing Chain Fusing and Assembling Fine Silver Fusing with Cubic Zirconia Beads Working with a Briolette

3

Putting It All Together Cha-Cha Earrings Arm Candy Oval Bracelet Wormhole Earrings Black Tie Cubic Zirconia Necklace

4

Taking It to the Next Level Heart Attack Hammered Bracelet Livin’ Large Hammered Pendant Coiled, Embellished, and Hammered Rings Blingin’ Button Ring Textured Band Coiled Ring Sizing Formula for Rings Angled Dangle Earrings Totally Money Stamped Bracelet Deceptively Simple Necklace Shooting Star Earrings Keys to My Heart Keychain Thai One On Component Necklace My Mom’s Favorite CZ Earrings Bike Chain Bracelet Two-Tone Gold Chain Bracelet In Orbit Earrings Going Organic Necklace

The Gallery Interweave Press LLC is distributed to the book trade in the U.S. and Canada by Independent Publishers Group, in the UK and Europe by Search Press, in New Zealand by David Bateman, Ltd, and in Australia by Keith Ainsworth Pty, Ltd. Interweave Press LLC is also the publisher of 14 craft magazines including Beadwork, Step by Step Beads, Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Jewelry Artist, and Stringing.

Basic Techniques Resources