Making Hollow Silver Beads

Andrea makes hollow sterling silver beads.
/ amuckdesign
/ amuckjewelry

[@skyreiter3770]

Oh my gosh takes so long to make. I never knew this. You have a great talent.

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much! I really have to psyche myself up in order to make a batch for sure.😄

[@tywhitmire860]

I just found your channel and I love hearing the sound of the tools instead of music in the background. The beads are lovely and you make it look easy even though it's quite time consuming. Well done! Thank you for sharing your talent! Now I must binge watch the rest! lol....subscribed

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much!! I do like the tool sounds as well, especially sped up.😀

[@Local_custard]

I love how this video is utilizing techniques I have learned in my goldsmith class! good work

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you!😊

[@BriarthornAJ]

Thanks for sharing!!! I like really large beads and now will try to make them!!!

[@amuckdesign]

You’re very welcome, I think you’ll really enjoy making them.😃

[@jeffreyschulz6096]

Enjoyed watching this, thank you!

[@kariclark7627]

very cool - thanks for showing this. I am inspired.

[@amuckdesign]

Kari Clark that’s wonderful!! It’s a fun project for sure.

[@jeanmenden5105]

Thank you so much

[@amuckdesign]

You’re very welcome, thank you so much for watching.😀

[@silversmithclasses]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@lencline]

Your voice would greatly help convey your lessons. I'm thankful there is no noise (music) in the background.

[@lenastiward8657]

Beautiful! I have yet to be successful to solder hollow core beads. I shall give it another try after watching you! Thank you - just beautiful!❤

[@amuckdesign]

Definitely keep trying, you will be so happy when you get a few finished ones in your hand.

[@lauraburnett6937]

Didn't expect a reply on the holiday. Thanks so much!

[@magicman9486]

I have just taken up this hobby. so much to learn

[@amuckdesign]

Oh my gosh, there certainly is!! I continue to learn everyday.

[@magicman9486]

@@amuckdesign I thought i had bought all the tools i needed. I am at $3000+ and still finding things i need

[@amuckdesign]

@@magicman9486 there are so many fun tools. You’ll be adding items yearly.

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

That rotating soldering platform is clever. What was the stuff you were spraying on the stack of beads? Thanks for showing how to do this. I recently tried making oblong beads, and made a mess of it. You make round beads seem almost possible for me, the amateur. Edit - Never mind - I read answers to my questions in the comments. Thanks!

[@amuckdesign]

@@beowoofthemoviestar thank you, I love being able to rotate my pieces. It’s flux in a spray bottle.

[@davidedmiston9420]

I love your dabbing block I made mine flat Loving your block step up for larger radii

[@sugarplumdr]

I use paste solder, my hand shakes to much. I will heat the one half and lightly touch the edge with needle on the paste solder and the solder will sort of melt into the edge, it will not flow, just sort of melt into it, place the second half and then apply the heat.

[@amuckdesign]

I just tried using paste solder on the last batch of beads, I did like using it. That will probably be my method now too.😀

[@narendrakhona1168]

NICE INFORMATION. NEED CAPTIONS FOR BEGINNERS, & NAMES OF CHEMICALS USED.

[@patredden4557]

Great video, thanks so much for sharing. What was the metal pin you put the beads on to solder?

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you!! It is stainless steel wire that you can buy at any hardware store. It’s usually coiled in small packages.

[@MacherlaPrabhakar]

Lovely video, thank you 🙏

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much!!!☺️

[@sugarplumdr]

I use a cratex wheel for the initial sanding with the bead in a wire and allow the createx wheel to smooth the bead then use the polishing wheel, triopoly, to do the primary polishing. If I need I can return to the cratex wheel for any more correcting.

[@amuckdesign]

That’s a great idea. I’m sure I’ve got some of those wheels in the studio, I’ll try it.

[@JohnDoe-cy8fw]

Great tutorial. I feel some opportunity to learn more was lost without you voicing what you are doing and using. I really enjoy your videos! Please consider a remake of this video or a new one to include stamping each bead. Thanks

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you! I’ve been playing around with different soldering techniques on the beads so I could definitely do a remake of this one.

[@JohnDoe-cy8fw]

I look forward to seeing what you share. Thanks again! Enjoy your weekend!

[@arturolimon3229]

This has been so helpful. I only have a question though, can you make the beads spherical with the dapping block? I bought one a few days ago and I can't seem to get a dome close to half a sphere without absolutely destroying the surfaces finish and making many slits into it.

[@amuckdesign]

Hi Arturo, It is pretty rare that I’ve been able to get a good sphere with the dapping block, they usually all end up a bit flat.

[@LapidaryLady]

Thank you for making this video! What is the tool you used to quickly punch out the round shapes from the silver sheeting? So much quicker and more precise than using a saw!

[@amuckdesign]

Your very welcome! It’s a disk cutter from Pepe tools but I’ve discovered that you can also buy disks in these smaller sizes from Santa Fe jewelers supply already punched. 😀

[@sugarplumdr]

One thing about cleanliness, I always clean the material that I am soldering with isophril alcohol, not available in California so when I went to Arizona bought a gallon of it and it will last me until next century. When the items are sprayed with the alcohol add a light flame so that the material will dry.

[@jaccalynkorv4920]

hi there, i really enjoyed your video. Can you tell me what the tool is called that you first punched the holes with before using the drill bit?

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much! That tool is called a spring loaded center punch. It leaves a nice divot so that the drill bit has a guide and won’t slide as you begin to drill. It also is fun for making a bumpy texture on metal. 😀

[@farahtaheri8711]

❤❤❤

[@terry1086]

What gauge sheet do u like to use? I have to anneal 24g along the way.

[@amuckdesign]

I like 24 or 22 gauge.

[@andregranum7896]

Hi, I have two questions: what did you spray on the beads before and while soldering? And exactly what torch is that (and which type of gas?) I use Sievert LPG torches and some older torches that need an air supply. Thanks, I enjoyed the video.

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you for watching it!! I use the Smith acetylene/air torch and absolutely love it. I was spraying flux onto the beads.

[@chriscarr4577]

I am looking for an acrylic disk cutter that I can see. Where did you find this? Thank you for this video!

[@amuckdesign]

I found this at Harbor Freight, I’ve really liked it!

[@jadedsunn]

Awesome video, quick question… what is the yellow liquid you had your solder pieces in?

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much. The yellow liquid was my flux. I can’t remember what brand that one was, lately I’ve been using the liquid flux from Pepe tools.

[@paulacorte3912]

Wow, that is a tedious process but the beads are beautiful. I miss hearing you describe what you are doing though.

[@terry1086]

Well done! Thank you. I have subscribed.

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much!😀

[@rachelwisemon5082]

What do you use to make the first holes on the sheet?

[@amuckdesign]

Hi Rachel, I’m using a center punch to make a small dent where I will drill the holes.

[@TheEricrya]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sharonquast3600]

Thanks! Would you share two things with us please-the thickness of the silver sheet and what did you use the stack the discs on while soldering? Thanks!

[@amuckdesign]

Sharon Quast hi Sharon, I like to use 22 gauge so that when I sand the domes I’m left with a pretty nice ledge, makes it easier for the parts to set on top of each other. I also really enjoy the weight of sterling beads with this gauge. I stacked them on a piece of steel wire that I bought at the hardware store. Thank you for the questions!!!

[@sharonquast3600]

Amuck Design thank you very much, I can’t wait to try your techniques!

[@amuckdesign]

@@sharonquast3600 Awesome, I'd love to see what you make!!

[@lisakrasnow4597]

What did you put the beads in before putting them into the tumbler? It was a crock pot with a very dark liquid. I thought it was a patina type chemical, but then you sanded the beads and then tumbled them. I would think if it was a patina, the tumbler would have removed that.

[@amuckdesign]

It was my patina bath. The tumbler gives the patinated surface a nice gunmetal color.

[@p.e.zaccardo5578]

beautiful

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much!

[@kevinyazzie17]

Very Nice!!! What type of soder? Easy, or extra easy? And what number plate of silver?

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much. I like using 24 gauge silver. I’ll use medium or easy solder.

[@mahtabfamili7930]

What is the liquid you spray while heating up the pieces and why do you apply it? Thanks 🙏🏼

[@amuckdesign]

It’s just flux in a spray bottle.

[@alexandrawynn2446]

This is wonderful, thank you for making this! Did you use any solder, or did those beads just simply melt together?

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you! Yes, I did use use solder on these.

[@metang6270]

🙏🙏🙏

[@Yoko.Kurama]

So if a silver bead is used in a bracelet or necklace it's hollow?

[@amuckdesign]

It is hollow, I like to use 24 gauge silver so that they are nice and strong.

[@shay1330]

I’m confused, did just heating the metal make it fuse to itself? It seemed like you just shaped the beads, stacked them, and heated. What causes them to stick together? What are those tiny pieces of metal or something you put in to some of the bead halves?

[@amuckdesign]

Those were solder chips that I placed in to the bead halves.

[@cynthiaboot7902]

Hi I was just wondering how much a 30 inch diver beaded necklace would cost . I think it’s not hollow because it’s heavy . 20 years ago 500 . 00 - coolants Indian necklace

[@akhileshkuthuparamba]

Very nice

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much.😀

[@LittleCherryHill]

So much work for something so small, but they feel really good in the hand don't they!

[@amuckdesign]

Little Cherry Hill they certainly do!! I used to have a strand for myself that I loved wearing. I need to have a bead making day again and do enough for a strand, was my fav piece of jewelry.

[@LittleCherryHill]

@@amuckdesign yes, it would be lovely. They look great stamped too!

[@lauraburnett6937]

Wish you would explain what you're doing! What is the spray that you are using? Why do you heat the halves before you ever put any solder on? I assume that those are solder chips that you're tinning to one half? What hardness of solder do you use? What gauge silver is best for making beads? What is the post that you stack your beads on made of? Trying to make beads for my first big squash blossom. Answers to these questions would really be appreciated!

[@amuckdesign]

Hi Laura, I’m warming up the halves and then spraying my flux on. Yes, those are solder chips that I’m melting to the half. I like using medium solder but some folks will use hard. The gauge of metal is totally up to you and how weighty you want your beads to be, I like using 22 gauge because I like a heavier bead. I stack the beads on a piece of stainless steel wire(buy in rolls at the hardware store) good luck with your bead making journey!!!!

[@lauraburnett6937]

Thank you! I've never had a spray flux, so didn't think of that. A friend suggested getting a bead mandrel to stack on. Researched those and found something that is used for making glass beads. Do you know anything about those? They're steel, so I would think that they would work with making silver beads as well as glass.... ? Steel wire that one buys in rolls sounds like an easy option, I'd just have to keep it STRAIGHT. :) I would have chosen 22 gauge, good to know that that works well for you.

[@amuckdesign]

@@lauraburnett6937 I would think those glass bead mandrels would work too. Yeah the spool from hardware store is inexpensive and you can just cut off short lengths that will hold a few beads. I would recommend the spray bottle for flux from Pepe tools although I did notice my hairdresser using the same type of bottle so possibly a beauty supply would also have it.

[@lauraburnett6937]

Again, many thanks!@@amuckdesign

[@chandrisasi3799]

Super 👍👍👍

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much!!!😀

[@jackmiller9212]

What are you using to hold the beads in place well you solder ???!

[@amuckdesign]

Hi Jack, I’m using a piece of stainless steel wire that I bought in a roll at the hardware store.

[@jackmiller9212]

Thanks so much! I wasn’t sure if it would react or not let your solder flow or something well soldering!! Thabks so much for sharing!

[@jackmiller9212]

@@amuckdesign I’ll be practicing a few beads myself later this weekend!

[@amuckdesign]

@@jackmiller9212 excellent!!! I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Have fun!!

[@gurgenartsruni827]

Little clean up though;)

[@terry1086]

What kind of Flux?

[@amuckdesign]

I like using PepeTools Smart Flux and putting it it in their spray mist bottle.

[@raghuwarnarayanjha6851]

I want 70 beads .from where and how can i take these balls

[@amuckdesign]

I don’t sell just the beads that I make but I believe you can buy silver beads from Santa Fe Jewelers Supply.

[@lauraburnett6937]

Hope you don't mind more questions. Really appreciate the help! #1. What is that little punch tool called that initially punches your center holes? #2. I've ordered a dura-BULL tumbler. How long do you tumble the beads? And, probably a really stupid question, but... If I stamp my beads, do they polish well in the tumbler? #3. What grit sanding sponges are you using, and, do you use them wet or dry? They're yet another new tool to me. Thank you again!

[@amuckdesign]

I don’t mind at all. That was a center punch( can pick up at hardware store). I usually just tumble for 30-60 minutes ( I’m impatient with that part and I really am not after a super high polish)😂. The tumbler won’t affect your stamping. I like to use a fine grit sanding sponge.

[@amuckdesign]

Oh I just use the sanding sponge dry and they are also an item that I just pick up at the hardware store.

[@gregoryjames5175]

I found a silver bead at my school it's really where I think someone dropped it and was never found again and it and dead

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

I looked up the cost of buying prepunched discs,very expensive! easier to buy premade beads!

[@amuckdesign]

Definitely easier to buy premade if you can find some you like.😃

[@olemiss644]

For an entertaining video, it's good. For an informative or tutorial video...not so much. Beautiful work though.

[@MrMo7emad]

bravooooooo