The fourth book Chain and Bead Jewelry Soldering Connections (2011), invites the reader to go beyond cold-connected chain patterns and overcome their fear of the flame with a variety of ‘soldering optional’ jewelry designs. This informative book explains all the tools and materials needed for simplified silver soldering with large diameter jump rings that spiral into dimensional patterns.
Step-by-step illustrations are given for using a hand-held butane torch and modern Argentium silver solder paste in a syringe, along with detailed solutions for common soldering problems. These skills will be put into practice with a series of jewelry projects that slowly increase in complexity from the 5-ring Mobius pattern to the 20-ring Spiral Ball designs.
We will then use a hot torch to heat the tip of Argentium silver wire to produce a teardrop-shaped termination, to start a series of Teardrop within Loop jewelry designs. This concept will slowly increase in complexity from the geometric Triad design to the hammer-forged Arch pattern and finally embellished with the US dollar bill for the Money earrings and bracelet.
With this 80-page book, you will learn how to create 20 spine-tingling jewelry projects designed to take your craftsmanship to the next level of silversmithing. Scroll down to view jewelry projects, magazine articles, and customer reviews. Click on any jewelry design image to view a larger photograph within a Lightbox Slideshow application.
In promotion of the upcoming fourth book, I was thrilled to get a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the Beaded Flower Ball Earrings published in the October 2010 issue of Lapidary Journal Magazine.
I was humbled to get a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the Forged Arch Bracelet design published in the January 2012 issue of Easy Metal Jewelry Magazine.
Excellent book
“I knew nothing about soldering in jewelry making. His book explains well and also gives some beautiful projects to try. ;-)” – Cheri F. Dunlap at Amazon
Chain maille and beyond — lots of clever ideas.
“Well, David Plumlee has done it again! Another of his beautiful books landed on my doorstep but this time there’s a twist — he teaches us how to solder! The book covers twenty projects using sterling silver, bronze, copper, and gold jump rings. I love that he shows how to solder rings, many using a simple butane torch.
The beginning of the book covers the basics, which includes a handy and complete demonstration on making ear wires, a magnetic clasp, and a hammered S-clasp. He also covers the finishing process, which I found very informative, particularly when he talked about a second pickling process. I’ve run into the same technical issues he discussed, and when I tried his solution, it cleared my problem right up.
The projects are fantastic, and many of them don’t require you to solder. Earrings can be solder-free, due to their nature, and some of the bracelets are able to be made without firing up a torch. However, David’s explanations and diagrams are so easy to follow, you’ll be able to whip out that torch and become an expert in no time.
The designs are fresh and creative. The Beaded Triad earrings above prepare you for the Beaded Triad bracelet and the Beaded Star key fob and earrings. He also shows you how to make a stunning mobius pair of earrings and a bracelet, and for that tutorial alone, I’d buy the book.
One of the things I love about this particular book is it’s not all chain maille — it goes into forging as well. The other beauty is the projects are accessible and doable for all skill levels. It’s a terrific book with a lot of places for you to jump off and run with your own creative variations. Highly recommended!!!!” – Lori Anderson at Amazon
Great Projects
“Pictures and instructions easy to follow.” – MariposadeOro at Etsy
Spine-tingling Jewelry Designs
“This is Scott’s 4th book and his goal is for you to overcome your fear of the flame with his user-friendly method. Learn to solder silver, bronze, copper, and gold jump rings into stunning beaded chain jewelry designs with a renowned book author and workshop instructor.
This book is a user-friendly approach for soldering metal jump rings and Argentium headpins. It contains essential techniques like making your own jump rings and ball head pins, and a extensive section on soldering tools. He explains the difference between a butane and a propane torch and what each is best suited for. There are excellent step out pictures for common soldering problems and how to fix them.
Once you learn how to make your own ball head pins, there is a great illustrated diagram and instructions on how to make two identical ear wires. If you have never used a torch before, this book will make it seem less scary. Scott tells in detail about the best wire to use for the soldering task. Then the project section is separated into two chapters, spiral and tear-loop and WOW! The spiral projects are all stunning and unique chain maille designs and the tear-loop are done with ball head pins.
There are things in there I have never seen done before by anyone. There is a really cool money bracelet you must see…made with REAL dollar bills! That in itself is worth the purchase of the book. I know all the projects will be comfortable to wear and make the most unique gifts that you will treasure always.
Even if you don’t do your own soldering for these projects you can still make all of them. The projects don’t require that you do your own soldering; this book just encourages you to, and shows you how step-by-step. It’s like have Scott right next to you teaching you himself.” – Jeannie K Dukic at Etsy