Barbell chain tutorial in sterling silver

This detailed tutorial walks you through the entire process on how to make my barbell chain. It is entirely fused, no solder involved, using sterling silver. This is a perfect project for people who are learning how to silversmith, and an excellent exercise to practice torch control. 

[@wendyrunnellsartist]

Thank you for sharing this!!! When you are self-taught, many times you don't even know the right questions to ask. It's like opening a present when you learn something new - thank you!

[@ringgoldnic]

100% agree!

[@robinduffy6690]

You can learn something new every day 'they say'. I did today !!! thanks for sharing , great torch control !

[@tammisloan6043]

Thank you for sharing this. I am so in awe with the control you have over the silver.

[@samanthaedenjohnson7245]

What a blessing to this beginner, thank you for sharing! Your work inspires me ❤️

[@ringgoldnic]

Excellent! Enjoy!

[@JoanneForman-v6u]

Fusing sterling silver is something I've never done, fine silver yes, no problem. Your instruction is perfect and backed up very clearly by your very specific video details

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment!

[@johnhipp604]

​Nicole can I ask you something

[@ringgoldnic]

what would you like to ask?@@johnhipp604

[@uniquelyreal]

I tried this a few minutes ago with success using a butane micro torch and a charcoal block. Just have to be careful not to melt the whole loop into a ball. Have about 4 links completed. Love your instructions.

[@ringgoldnic]

Wonderful to know! Thank you!

[@clare9637]

Loved this and your teaching style. I've never been brave enough to have a go at fusing but this has encouraged me to give it a try. Thank you Nichole

[@ringgoldnic]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes and/or if you have any questions. FYI the silquar soldering platform is the best one to fuse on.

[@clare9637]

@@ringgoldnic I only had thinner wire and a smaller torch but I knew if I didn't have a go now it would be one of those things that would be left, procrastinated over and I would be more afraid to have a go at as time went on so did it and it worked!!! You've opened up a whole new world for me. Thank you Nichole. The idea of kinetic jewelery fascinates me so I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@ringgoldnic]

excellent! Way to go! @@clare9637

[@blksunshine459]

Thanks Nicole, I'm so grateful for your videos, I swear the only videos I can see is Curated Bead Boxes. To each is own, I love all Jewelry, but Metal is my True Love. Thank you for your videos, and I look forward for many more of your videos. Thank you

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank YOU!

[@PennyMoline]

Learned so much! Thank you !

[@ringgoldnic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathybradbury]

When I was first learning soldering-I was given the impression you couldn’t fuse sterling! Now I will try!

[@ringgoldnic]

So many of my students have said the same thing. Let me know how it goes!

[@elizabethwilson976]

Such a fabulous fusing project Nicole, I tend to always solder so it’s been an eye opener watching your very informative video, thank you 🤗

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank YOU!

[@MidastouchJewels]

Really like this design

[@carriesimmons2785]

Such a great video! You make it so easy to understand what and why you are doing something. Been having luck with loops, balls not so much. Get the first end, but the 2nd can't get big enough. Will keep trying. Love your style and you are so kind to share your knowledge. Thank you

[@ringgoldnic]

Is the challenge that you don't have enough material to get the second end large enough?

[@lauramccaslin2876]

You taught this to us in a class in Tucson a few years ago, but it's so helpful to have the refresher. It's the little flame, pick, and corrective technique nuances that make all the difference. Thanks, Nicole!! Love your determined, inventive industry (100 challenges)!! Keep 'em coming!

[@ringgoldnic]

Yes, so true! I have to revisit making chains every now and again to keep my skills well dusted.

[@lauramccaslin2876]

@@ringgoldnic ❤

[@CherylCohen]

You have a wonderful teaching style. Thanks so much!

[@ringgoldnic]

That's so sweet of you to say, thank you!

[@jimbettridge3123]

Thanks Nicole!

[@margocher99]

Thank you so much 🙌

[@ringgoldnic]

Enjoy!

[@talkingcrow]

This is so cool. Thank you.

[@traceytimmons844]

Thank you! I’ve made this style of chain before but I would have never thought to make it this easy. Flux, solder, the whole nine! Hated every minute of it. I think I could enjoy it this way.

[@ringgoldnic]

That's exactly what happened to me when I first made these. And then I figured I'd try without flux or solder and it worked! Now I only use solder for one chain. All others are fused.

[@traceytimmons844]

I’m excited to try it your way

[@RosaAlice-p9m]

Oh wao! I have learned something new and exciting😊. Thank you so much for this technique, I really like it❤.

[@ringgoldnic]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@weirdlywiredjewelry]

I’ve been using a Little Smith for years and learned a couple of things! BRAVO!!! Wonderful, patient technique and teaching style, and thank you for not editing out the sneeze!

[@ringgoldnic]

Haha! I gave myself a laugh when I realized I hadn't edited it out.

[@DianneCulbertsonJacques]

Loved it...can't wait for the book!

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you! And thank you for being patient until it's finally in our hands!

[@kassemkarim7579]

Thank you for your post very informative

[@delcopeland]

Thank you for this. Your instructions were excellent and very clear. I’ve never tried fusing SS, but I will now!

[@ringgoldnic]

You just wait! It will open up an entirely new world for you to explore!

[@kristibbradshaw]

I love this. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@rochelem3872]

Wonderful! Tysm for this!

[@annjessup1670]

Your torch control is incredible!

[@AnnieLozada]

Thank you for your great videos! I can’t wait to try this

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you! Let me know how it goes.

[@alisongoerner7457]

OMG I had no idea you could do that! Glad I found your channel!

[@ringgoldnic]

Excellent! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@letwendyin]

So happy to see this. Have admired your work for years❤❤❤❤❤

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you!

[@cathybradford5685]

Wow! I was always afraid I’d melt the ball into the loops! I must try this real soon. Thank you so much! Can’t wait for your book to arrive too. ❤

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you!

[@tishsmiddy71]

Nice video ❤ thank you ☺️

[@shihyeong]

oh wow, I will definitely try this one out! beautiful design and it'd be a good practice for me to start using the fusing technique instead of trusting fully on solder. Thank you so much!!!

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MrsLeguyader]

I learn something every time. Thank you so much!

[@ringgoldnic]

Wonderful! I'm so glad!

[@BelleStanley-b5x]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, your work and your tutorials are truly inspiring! So inspiring that I made this today! All my balls are wrinkled 😆 and it's a bit wonky but I'm stoked with it for a first time chain making and a first time fusing!

[@ringgoldnic]

Fantastic! Way to go! I'd love to see it.

[@tishsmiddy71]

Great video ❤❤❤

[@kimkreutzberg4528]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us!…looking forward to seeing you in the future!

[@ringgoldnic]

I look forward to connecting with you, Kim!

[@shellybeals2806]

Great video, very informative. Thank you 🙂

[@lisitaaa]

Thanks for this! You make it look so easy! I can't wait to try it out too.

[@ringgoldnic]

Keep me posted on how it goes!

[@aumi.jewels]

Wow , I just found you… I’m so excited… Yay, Yay, 😁 big hugs 🤗, Michelle

[@ringgoldnic]

Yay! Thank you!

[@lorraine8368]

Recently found you, waiting on your book, love making leaves and lean toward nature pieces but struggle with a good chain… so definitely gonna try this one. Thank you for the great detail in this tutorial!

[@ringgoldnic]

Excellent! Let me know how it goes. And thank you for ordering my book!

[@breedahughes2325]

Thank you so much, what a great video.

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank YOU!

[@emmamacgregor731]

Oh this is great timing!! I've been wanting to learn to make this style and had no idea how..or what it was called! Thanks!!

[@ringgoldnic]

Haha! I have no idea if it's actually called that. It's just what I call it. Have fun!

[@emmamacgregor731]

@@ringgoldnic You bet! :)

[@GumnutLaneJewellery]

I just had to comment! I had the biggest giggle at "Don't worry if you have wrinkly balls" LMAO🤣😂🤣😂

[@ringgoldnic]

Haha! That's a tough one to teach without laughing.

[@rochellebg]

Thank you so much for sharing this technique Nicole! All of your creations are absolutely stunning! I have yet to purchase a smith little torch system (i work in my basement so really uncomfortable with the idea of having oxy/propane systems in the house! 🙄) so i work with a variety of butane torches. Would love to try making your links, so I guess I'll have to do a little experimentation.👩‍🏭

[@ringgoldnic]

Do you have any ventilation in your basement?

[@rochellebg]

@ringgoldnic currently all I have is a window right above my soldering station and a little hakko fume extractor.

[@flyingcheff]

Hi Nicole! I am so delighted with your great videos. I really appreciate your experience. I am wondering if you would explain why you make sure your soldering pick is cold when you are pick soldering. So many classes teach to heat the pick, explaining that solder goes where the heat is and tje goal is to pick up the solder pallion for pick soldering...etc. I've done both but would love to hear the specifics of "why", one way or the other - from your experience. Thank you so much.

[@ringgoldnic]

Great question. Yes, solder follows heat. However, in my experience, when pick soldering, heating pick generally results in smearing the solder across the soldering block rather than picking it up. A clean and cool pick tends to be more effective for me.

[@flyingcheff]

@@ringgoldnic I've had that experience too. I've also had the solder just fall off when the pick is cold. I guess you just do what works in the moment. Thank you so much for weighing in.

[@ocelote1336]

Great video presentation. Gracias.

[@ringgoldnic]

Absolutely!

[@tinkeringclaws5559]

really enjoyed this video, got my sub and i look forward to seeing more of your work. might make something similar from copper to use as a lanyard on a flask or compass/pocket watch.

[@ringgoldnic]

Excellent. Let me know how it goes with copper!

[@Faithhopelove1702]

Fascinating!

[@sandymclean9630]

Excellent Viewing Thankyou 😊 nz 🌵

[@maineiacts]

Hi!! Nicole, new sub here! Very 'Fab' work, and Inspiring to me for sure! Thank You for sharing your skill set!! 💖🤗🙋‍♀️- Mindi

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you, Mindi!

[@brigittekleynnaert1123]

Thank you so much … good practice… love the chain . Can you please tell me what number nose on the torch you are using . Regards,Brigitte

[@ringgoldnic]

It's a #6 tip

[@jamielawson6800]

Thank you

[@lanehorsey5053]

Added my sub, thank you, to find someone who can help with wrinkly balls is so precious🤣. I've been concerned about them for years.

[@ringgoldnic]

hahahahaha!

[@marjorieoxman3617]

Really really well done video. Thank you so much. Do you think this can be done with a large butane torch, or a bernzomatic propane torch? Or do you need a more pinpoint flame?

[@ringgoldnic]

It would be really hard to be precise with indirect flames. The Little Smith is really the best way to go.

[@AlejandroLleras]

Hi! I love these instructions and was following them perfectly but when I got to the part where the balls are made at the end of the wire, my wire keeps breaking and the balls don't run up the wire like in your video. Is it because I am using argentium maybe? Anyway, thank you so much for sharing this. I am just a beginner and this has been a wonderful exercise otherwise. With great appreciation 🙏🏼

[@ringgoldnic]

It definitely works better if you use sterling silver. What was happening? Were they dropping off?

[@nadyahrisimova5293]

Thank you for sharing this tip. I am using Dremel 2200 butain torch and now I relised that my only success is when the tank is almost empty so the low heat is really low. Very inconvinient because I have to fill it in in small doses. I have dificulties making abaucus with gemstone beads and wire. My stones always become discolorated at the end although I have tryied with fire resistant paste and also adding more third hands between the bead and the end wire which I am trying to make into an end ball :(. Do you have any tips about that?

[@ringgoldnic]

I'm having a tough time picturing the design, but if you're talking about balling the end of a wire with beads already assembled onto it, then you'd need a very hot, direct flame that can get in and out super rapidly before the beads have any chance of heating/discoloring.

[@lindathomas2525]

What is the block you are soldering on?

[@lindagreen8505]

Great video! What size tip do you use on the Smith LT?

[@ringgoldnic]

For the chains I use #6

[@alisongoerner7457]

Yes what kind of torch head are you using? I tried fusing my thick gauge links, and it just wouldn’t work, I think because the flame was too big?

[@ringgoldnic]

I use a Little Smith oxy/propane #6 tip

[@julsack100]

Just wondering if you went thru all these steps without pickling? Thx for this video.

[@ringgoldnic]

Correct. No pickling is needed until the end.

[@wendyshaw6985]

Hey Nicole, I use the Smith Little with oxygen and acetylene. Would there be any differences if using that combination of gasses?

[@ringgoldnic]

No difference!

[@laurenyoungs]

Thank you so much for sharing. So do I have to have a Smith little torch to do this or can I use a handheld torch?

[@ringgoldnic]

Unfortunately, a handheld torch is not precise enough.

[@laurenyoungs]

@@ringgoldnic thank you for your reply. That's what I was afraid of and I don't have one but I need to get one, but I think I'm going to think about an oxygen concentrator and propane. But I'm going to have to wait until the fall season to do it. Thanks again.

[@JSGilbert]

Is it about the same to fuse silver with MAPP gas, or is it trickier? Thanks.

[@ringgoldnic]

it's about the same

[@HereWeAre__01]

For all of you with air/acetylene, do NOT attempt this. Nicole can get a very hot TINY flame to make the balls get very close to the links, and you cannot do this with air/acetylene because we cannot adjust the flame/intensity with a knob. We use torch tip sizes to adjust our fire. The 00 is way too small and not hot enough, and the 0 flame is hot enough, but the flame itself is too big. In order to do this, you need an oxy (fill in the blank for gas) setup in order to get a really hot TINY flame. Save yourself a full day and a bunch of lost metal. Ask me how I know this, and why I am writing this. You are better off with the paddle chain! It's funny, in the beginning of the video, I noted her torch setup and something said 'there is a reason why this is being mentioned', and then I found out. I also think that the oxy/gas setup makes for less wrinkly balls and links in general when fusing. That was a caveat in school, that sterling wrinkles when trying to fuse. We used air/acetylene in school, and I'm wondering now if that was the reason, and if you get a much better fuse (less wrinkles) when using an oxy/gas setup

[@artistcg]

Can this be done with an acetylene/air torch?

[@ringgoldnic]

The challenge would be how to target the tight spot without melting the rest of the silver. I haven't tried it with acetylene/air but I'm not someone who will say it can't be done...

[@JaneThomas58]

Lovely tutorial. Would a Bernzomatic propane torch get hot enough to fuse these? I avoid soldering because I am uncertain which solders to use w different metals.

[@ringgoldnic]

Can you speak more about not knowing which solders to use? Are you referring to easy/medium/hard or silver versus gold, etc? Also, I'm not sure if a Bernzomatic propane torch would be precise enough, but it never hurts to try.

[@JaneThomas58]

@@ringgoldnic for example, if soldering copper or sterling. Can you solder brass or what can’t you solder?

[@ringgoldnic]

You can solder brass, copper, gold, silver...@@JaneThomas58

[@dogdaddy2380]

why does no one on you tube use boric acid and denatured alcohol, to cut down on extra work? thanks, not a critique just an observation.

[@ringgoldnic]

Please elaborate. What do you mean?

[@thedogdaddychannel507]

If you use that combination it cuts down on the fire scale that soldering using a torch produces. That way you don't spend as much time, polishing the piece. It's pretty simple that denature to alcohol burns away leaving our coating a boric acid and then you use flux as usual. I haven't seen anybody so far on KZbin that does this I thought it was a European thing but I'm seeing it more and more I was just curious. I was a professional jeweler for 35 plus years and that was something that we used all the time and it saved tons of time and the solder flowed perfectly with flux and that treatment that I discussed. If you have any questions please reach out I did enjoy your tutorial

[@ringgoldnic]

Sorry, I should have clarified. I know what boric acid and denatured alcohol does. Current flux options include those ingredients. I use My-T-Flux which does cut down on fire scale. However, in this tutorial there is no flux needed. When fusing sterling silver, the way the torch is used actually doesn't cause fire scale. So, I was curious what you were referring to in this particular scenario.@@thedogdaddychannel507

[@debraberg1763]

Good job describing the techniques. Thanks. Nice studio. Can you give us a tour? I like your leaf rings, too.

[@ringgoldnic]

Thank you! Sure, I can throw a tour into my next demo.

[@Mockingjay-e1t]

Hello, what number tip do you use for this? Thank you :)

[@ringgoldnic]

I use a #6 tip