Sweat Soldered Planished Copper Leaf Earrings

[@seasea4170]

Lovely project - love the 3D element makes it more interesting

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@AlwaysMetaling]

Cooool!!! I’m really ready to begin. Such a great and thorough explanation of all the steps. Thanks, Mr. Professor!! 🧑🏼‍🎨🌵🔨

[@Tami8161]

Wow, I REALLY appreciate this video and will watch it several times. I’m working on a totally different project, but this video has made it possible for me to do what Incouldnt do, so thank yiu VERY much. I can’t wait to actually make this project too!!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I'm so glad that you found the video tutorial helpful. Good luck with your creative projects. : )

[@Channel-ke7vh]

Clear and detailed, and with great cinematography. Thank you!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Wow! What a nice compliment. Thanks for your support! : )

[@gillwright651]

OnlineJewelryAcademy w

[@gillwright651]

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[@AnabellFereira]

Good as all your tutorials are...can I do this with a disposable propane torch?

[@cathyellington7599]

Hi John, I love these earrings. I bought the copper and silver wire needed. The 22 gauge copper seems thick and it may just seem thick to me because I am new at this. Would annealing the copper help make it easier to cut? Thank you

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

No. Annealing the metal will make it flex while you saw it. Have fun making jewelry. And, thanks for watching! 😀

[@dharleeminter2838]

Thank you!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Dharlee Minter You're very welcome. Thanks for being a loyal viewer! : )

[@therenaissancewoman2080]

Could I use a scroll saw? What product / brand are you using for pickling? What does pickling do exactly? Is the other clear liquid bowl just water?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I don’t think a scroll saw is the best approach to cutting the copper sheet. But you can try it. I’m using Ph down from Home Depot in my pickle pot. We have several videos on setting up a pickle pot and how to use it included in the OJA playlist. 😀

[@camillemcdaniel1148]

Great video. Thank you. I was surprised that you did not apply flux to the copper. I always have so much trouble with oxidation on copper when soldering. Can you help me understand?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Camille, I applied the flux to the silver wire (with silver solder melted on it) before placing it on the copper leaf. You always need to use flux in any soldering operation. Copper by nature is a very quick to oxidize. And, heating (most) metals with a torch will cause it to immediately begin to oxidize. Flux helps to control the oxidation process during soldering. But, to produce a clean sweat solder joint, you want to apply flux only to the areas that are to receive the solder. I hope this answers your questions. Thanks for your support! : )

[@joannefn2024]

Thanks for the great instruction! After creating my own leaf I have a few questions. What kind of flux are you using? Boric acid and alcohol? Also how did you get the wire straight enough so it makes good contact with the leaf. My wire was a bit bent , even after straightening it. Thanks!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Joanne Forman Glad you enjoyed the video. I used a white flux paste to solder the wire to the leaf. Alcohol and Boric Acid are really only good for coating silver to prevent fire scale. I straightened the wire by hitting it with a mallet on a bench block while I turned the wire between my fingers. You can also make adjustments with your fingers or pliers if you need to. Good luck with your project. And, thanks for watching! : )

[@joannefn2024]

Thanks! I'm not familuar with white paste flux but I'll look into it. I used MY T FLUX which isn't bad. I'll try straightening the wire as you mentioned . Will let you know how it works in my next leaf project. I'm able to get some contact of the wire to the leaf but still have some gaps when soldering is done. Practice makes perfect! Have been using Nu Gold (jewelers brass) for my leaf with some very interesting results. Have been raising the copper to the surface with repeated heating (depletion guilding ?) so when I emery paper the leaf in finishing, some brass shows through the copper skin. Really looks lovely! Thanks for the great tips. Your videos are very clear and helpful :)

[@janearcher3834]

What are you using for ventilation? I'm guessing there is a fan on the floor, but what kind? Is there a filter? I have seen some crazy expensive fume extraction units. And also very inexpensive tabletop fans with charcoal filters. Thanks.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

+Jane Archer We have a video on making the venting system we used called "Venting in the Jewelry Lab." You can watch it at kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqTHhpiHZ8ieiZY . Thanks for watching.

[@crystalfabulous]

Can you use borax to solder copper. Will that keep it cleaner. Thanks

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Most flux for soldering contains a bit of borax. I generally use a white paste flux to solder on copper. The paste flux will do a better job of keeping your copper clean than just using straight borax. Thanks for your support! : )

[@ARCSTREAMS]

using a saw to cut that is alot of time and work

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

That's one of the reasons why handmade jewelry can be expensive. : )

[@ARCSTREAMS]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy indeed,,very tedious work at times

[@beatricekunnert2433]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Where can i buy handmade embellishments