[how it's made] Octopus Shadowbox Ring - Metalsmithing process + sweat soldering tip

In this video, I make a ring with one of my favorite animals - the octopus! I also share a sweat soldering tip that may be helpful when soldering thin/detailed pieces. I was really sick when filming this so I don't talk much! Apologies.
My website: saltyboatstudio.com
Instagram: saltyboatstudio
Materials used:
- 5mm garnet
- 3/32 28ga fine silver bezel
- Double half-round sterling wire (5.18mm wide)
- Rectangle sterling wire (approx 4x1mm)
- 22gauge and 24gauge sterling sheet
- Hard & medium solder
Some of my fav tools featured in this video (will link in the future):
- Number 2 cut German hand file (half-round)
- Ring bending pliers with nylon jaws
- Flat & Half-round pliers
- National Geographic Rock Tumbler
- Hone & Highlight Tumbling Media
- Renaissance Wax

[@josephmcfaul725]

Very well done. The sweat solder before cutting the octopus is genius. Thank you for adding all of the measurements, gauges of sheet and the types of solder.

[@marciasandberg4513]

Putting solder before sawing is something I hadn’t seen before, very smart! Thank you for sharing your work

[@SaltyBoatStudio]

You are welcome!

[@annjessup1670]

I agree! Great tip.

[@andreaurelius45]

I really liked some of the techniques you used! Thanks for sharing!

[@robinduffy6690]

Nice job , very good lesson, A couple of excellent tips / sweat soldering the blank and flattening the band in the block ! nice little octopus too!

[@trutexas34]

Omg. Why did i never think to solder before cutting!?!?! Thank you!!!!!❤

[@stellau3028]

I love all your pieces, beautiful design and craft women ship 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@eljay0110]

What measurements for the rectangle wire? Is it from rio and do you have a link?

[@michellerichmond6971]

I am wondering what Gauge wire rectangle wire is?

[@charneduplessis1656]

This video was SO helpful!!! What polishing wheels do you recommend?

[@azayakanna]

I’m new to metalsmithing - what is the yellow liquid you spray? Is that your flux? I’ve only ever used paste flux before

[@michellerichmond6971]

Lovely! What gauge is the rectangle wire?

[@poetrik1]

Wondering about your octopus image, do you print it on the label sticker paper ?

[@papercuts500]

i liked when you prepped the metal for sweat solder. i learned something new

[@HawaiianTemple]

What kind of pickle do you use? I have heard that there is a type of pickle that users ‘refresh’ and will use for long periods of time before disposing of it.

[@annasimons389]

Thanks.. can i ask how you get your patina to look so black? Mine always looks gray.

[@flyingcheff]

I'm enjoying your channel. I am wondering something about your mitre jig use. Isn't the point of a mitre jig to use a file flush to the jig surface for precise angles?

[@SaltyBoatStudio]

Yes you are correct! You can make perfectly flush ends or angled edges. I use mine most often to file flat spots on ring bands and to make ends flush for thicker wire/strip.

[@flyingcheff]

@@SaltyBoatStudio ok, great. That's exactly what I use that mitre vise for. I file all the way down to the metal of the vise. Isn't it just simply an amazing tool? 😍

[@joyjohnson5355]

This ring is beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing these clever tips. I love your idea of using wax to seal the patina :)

[@frankmons4889]

Very nice I enjoyed watching your techniques and like the design. I’ll be looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@donnasmith9939]

Thank you so much for this video! What a great ring! I’m a huge fan of octopus!

[@kassemkarim7579]

Another wonderful video thank you

[@PawSativeVibez]

That was awesome thank you for the tutorial!

[@AbdulHamid-vt7gr]

Nice work in think octopus eyes with stones will make it more interesting

[@LryuzakiLN]

Dang Cute😮, the ring too!

[@kristibbradshaw]

Very niiiice!!!!

[@catherinemartina6469]

nicely done

[@MaicolPerezMeran]

Nice 👍🏾

[@dmitrij2686]

Отличная работа 👏👏👏

[@CherylAnn2222]

Beautiful!, I love your videos.

[@SaltyBoatStudio]

Thank you so much!

[@maurschmidtz]

Just wondering what kinda flux/firescale protectant you put on the silver?

[@SaltyBoatStudio]

Hi! I use Migh-T flux (neon yellow in color) for most projects. If I’m working on something larger or with gold/gold-fill I use Firescoff.

[@kathleendobsonpiasecki9703]

Can I use the same tumbler for the wash, then the hone and highlight?

[@SaltyBoatStudio]

@@kathleendobsonpiasecki9703yes! I use the same tumbler. Just rinse well when swapping between different tumbling media.