Silver Bracelet Making

[@fernewalden805]

Wow! it's amazing when you actually see how much work goes into making something like that, absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing your art.

[@lanehartwell]

I would love (and pay) to watch a soldering course taught by you. You have such interesting techniques.

[@kimthatsallyouneedtoknow5684]

most mesmerizing jewelry making video I've seen. Now to explore your channel and see what else there is!!

[@suzannehofer3867]

I have watched your videos over and over and love them! Your work is gorgeous and you have the steadiest hands ever! Plus your technique is fascinating to watch and learn from. Thank you and I hope you’ll make more videos for us in the future. Bring your jewelry to the Pow Wow here in Quartzsite AZ! People would love it!!!

[@gertthesquirt3924]

Oh wow! It's fascinating to watch all the pick soldering go so smoothly. Beautifully shot videos. Love the shellac on a plate method, too. Never seen that before.

[@truegrit7697]

OK - dude, you are a true artist. I wish I could take classes from a master like you.

[@BrightSparkIdeas]

Absolutely stunning bracelet, beautiful craftsmanship. Really enjoyed watching the video, thank you for sharing your gift.

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

I've wondered how to get lots of beads the same size, and you showed how - thank you

[@swierkupitok7264]

mostly working with copper, butlearned a few things from this video. Thanks a lot, this kind of content is why I love youtube- screw sweet kittens and pranks!

[@cardboardindia1666]

I'm just stunned! Such wonderful craftsmanship. Thank you so much for your videos; I learn so many new things!

[@paulrhodes482]

Thank you for another amazing video! I just came across your channel today and will be working my way through all of your videos. I was recently disabled due to a car accident and five back surgeries unfortuantly I lost my career. I have wanted to take up jewlery making for some time your videos have inspired me! I need to just jump in and start learning I refuse to sit around and do nothing with my life! Thank you again for your inspiration I look forward to goign through all your videos have a wondeful day. -Paul

[@lithohunter]

Thank you Paul, enjoy your new journey!

[@bernardofranco33]

I wonder how is it working for you, Paul, after 1 year! Did you manage to work your way? :)

[@jeanoberholster166]

What a true craftsman Steve is. Respect

[@jenniferw1570]

Looking forward to watching more, makes me miss the shop I worked i where everything was made by hand; alloying the 24K, wire, sheet, findings, etc. You inspired me to get back to the bench. ( I've got a lot of tiny silver balls I saved for granulation work too) Thanks

[@jameswilson3785]

I love the atmosphere music and the tinkering and process of making silver jewelry.

[@latestinfo3794]

Not too much in life impresses me....but one thing that DOES, ..is someone who can make things with their hands. Something from not much of anything......Fantastic work !

[@lmmillette1]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your work! The music is perfect adding such a relaxing tone to the process. Best teaching site! Going to watch more! 🌝

[@lithohunter]

Thank you Lisa

[@BillyBlaze7]

I hqve great respect for your art and talent. Thats some incredible work, I would love to be able to do that, it must be extremely rewarding to have that talent.

[@freejd1]

Absolutely stunning as always! You are truly a master artisan!

[@lithohunter]

Thank you very much Sasha!

[@lauranodrama]

Excellent work! You make it look so easy! Exactly I too wish classes were available- excellent job! thank you

[@anuradhaverma186]

Amazed to see the artician hard work.

[@eleonoraglazkotosunova5667]

Браво мастеру !!! Поистине талантливый человек !!!👍👍💘💘

[@jeanniewinters847]

Hey. Steve!!! 👏👏👏 Bravo!! Thank you for such a detailed vid on Silver Smithing! I can tell from your work bench that you have been doing this for a long time, not to mention your confident hand. Learning from a Master is the only way to go. I have watched a few others whose Bench was too clean..... You have shown the real Silver Smith techniques I've been searching for. Now, I feel like this artform is within reach. I'll be watching for more of your vids. Thanks again!! 😊

[@lithohunter]

Thank you very much Jeannie :)

[@jps99]

Nice video, really enjoyed watching your technique. I think it's time I made a bracelet!

[@Jennyhammond20]

Amazing. Love watching your amazing talent and hard work. Keep the videos coming 😊

[@lithohunter]

Thank you very much Jennifer for the positive review!

[@MoonstoneMamas]

Really enjoyed this video! Amazing !

[@Rosie-wi6xe]

Awesome video. Would love to do this. You are a master. Thank you.

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Beautiful piece.❤😊

[@AdrienneS1970]

Loved watching this video! Just subscribed. Cant wait to see your other videos!

[@lithohunter]

Thank you very much!

[@romabourne9159]

Wow, just lovely! I stumbled on your video and what a treat to see the bracelet take form and become a work of art,. I love the square links and the larger tabs holding them together. I would have loved it, if you could have included reference to the materials that you were using. Thank you for sharing!

[@lithohunter]

Thank you Roma

[@caseyrobbinssf2040]

How cool. I really want to try and make a myself a bracelet now!

[@lithohunter]

Go for it Cacey!

[@snjnbl]

Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing.

[@texasgigi3684]

Beautiful!! Could you share what kind of flux you’re using in that bottle?

[@Rachelmcg1989]

Amazing video! I just tried to make my first silver ring today with beads around the bezel and I must admit, I'm having a bit of trouble! They have seem to have lost their roundness from the sawing and soldering. Do you have any advice for this? What is the name of the rotary tool attachment you used in between the beads, does this tool file off any unwanted silver around the beads? Thank you!

[@jfmcalister9216]

Nice work Steve!

[@RedSpiralHandTV]

And that, kids, is HOW it's done. I'm just getting started with copper and copper solder but love seeing this because silver is next! LOVE seeing someone making all his own components too...hate to see original stuff and then they slap a lobster claw clasp or pre-made bezel on it. Yikes.

[@ivangamer8022]

awesome creation

[@ruthdederich3622]

Very cool. Appreciate you.

[@marthaaleo22]

Outstanding video! Thanks.

[@lithohunter]

Thank you Martha

[@ma1900bi1900]

Wow was für eine tolle Arbeit

[@Who_Am_I_d.i.y.ryanpanana1349]

Great video. 👍

[@sacredsounds4234]

I was using a dropper like you have,but it kept getting plugged up.At first I could use hot water and unplug it.Then that quit working.I would buy more and same thing so I switched to a spray bottle.But as you know you waste a lot of flux, especially on small pieces..Do you just buy a lot of small droppers or do you have a secret to unplugging them?

[@petegayheart8776]

wow ! what an artist.

[@jimbettridge3123]

Steve, WERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? I have watched so many tutorials and subbed to all the good suggested vids but never once did you come up and then BOOM! There you are! Great work, nice pieces, and a great shoot...subbed...peace Jimmy.

[@lithohunter]

Thanks Jimmy!!

[@arriarri3197]

😀😁

[@korneliajewelry]

I was thinking just the same (a year later!) 😄

[@jeanieleonard1731]

Wow. Beautiful.

[@mysteryguy793]

I Love it. I wish I had your patience.

[@ceeceeceecee7753]

Awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 video ! Got it. Perfect and to the point👏🏻 I love The close-up and details of your video. Thanks so very much for Sharing. Liked and Subscribed . 😀😀😀🤗🤗🤗🤗 Hope to see you soon 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@hildamercado5405]

Awesome work! I had an idea for a bracelet for my mom, but you just blew my mind on overdrive. I'll be using a carnelian with two malachites, plus some scattered CZs. Can you please tell me how to get the orange flake? That is a great idea!

[@lithohunter]

Thanks Hilda. Most jewelry supply companies have orange flake shellac. Be careful not to overheat your stones :)

[@Wilderranch-w9k]

What is the bottle and tip you use for fluxing? I really like it!

[@jasond181]

Any idea where/what mine that turquoise is from? I have some very old material matching that exactly and would like to know value if possible... thanks

[@rubyrosemurraylee8177]

Wow 🤩 it’s so Beautiful 😍

[@chanceofmeatballs9837]

Would like to know what buffing / Polishing wheel you are using. I'm talking about the one you are using to apply compound.

[@annh3599]

Nice Steve! Thanks!

[@serkisshakenians1026]

Thank you so much.

[@elsietamburelli8780]

Love it

[@luisjaramillo1580]

Fine silver tendant

[@dolsen1959do]

So amazing

[@luisherrera8628]

Excelente trabajo,felicidades

[@lithohunter]

Thank you Luis

[@sushilsanadi4881]

Good Video. Can you please tell me the type of soldering gun and all the equipment instruments useful for making all silver items?

[@kbaxterpackwood]

what type of cutting plier are you using at the two minute mark?

[@designsdoovers]

Beautiful 😻

[@sulakshyrastogi3445]

Gud work bro

[@Dharlanna]

One more question if you don't mind? Is there a purpose to balling up the solder like you did at 4:02 in the video? Maybe just what you're used to, or does it help in some way? Thank you in advance for your kind reply. :)

[@lithohunter]

Balling the solder helps a little in placing the solder. You can that when I placed the second two they rolled up to the contact between the bezel and the plate when I tossed them gently in that direction. Also when I add the flux after placing them the surface tension of the flux pulls them against the bezel and the plate and holds them there. If I was little more patient in heating the piece they all would have stayed in place.

[@dimitrapapagianni9907]

awesome video thank you so much for sharing!

[@MikeEagle429]

Steve, I have a 15 gram 925 ring with turquoise and coral stones. I want to resize the ring from a 9.5 to size 8 without cutting the shank. I wanted to pour 925 onto the bottom of the shank to thicken the shank and to resize? Is this possible without damaging the stones? I enjoy your interesting vids. Thank you.

[@lithohunter]

To add metal to the ring shank would require heating the metal to red hot and soldering. The stones would have to be removed.

[@efctoyscollectibles2911]

Nice

[@wendyannh]

Another beauty, Steve! How did you square the jump rings? I couldn't see how that happened. I've got a jig I can use, but you apparently did it without one. Did I actually see you ball up the solder at one point? Why is that? When you attached the granulation balls, how did that happen? Am I seeing wire solder touched to each spot, or are you working with fine silver and just fusing them?

[@lithohunter]

For the square jump rings, I hard soldered round ones together and then squeezed the four sides with flat nosed pliers. I fused some solder into balls so they would be pulled into place by the surface tension of the liquid flux. I switched to the wire feed soldering method to finish soldering the shot to the base.

[@t0rb1naalborg44]

hocus pocus video editing :-) or use a square mandrel

[@kimpetri6750]

♥️

[@jackiedavies3751]

As we cannot get "Sterlium Plus" in the UK is Argentium acceptable?

[@lithohunter]

I haven't used it but I am sure it would be fine.

[@FatKidBrody]

Jackie they are the same .

[@christinakusi-appiah1180]

wow! amazing!

[@tonistuart9991]

Wow

[@simonenz3889]

😍

[@Vatsek]

Nice work.

[@lithohunter]

Thank you

[@dominicdelprincipe2583]

this music has me waiting for Bill S Burroughs to start with the spoken word rap

[@chandrakantbaste2135]

सुंदर कला कुसर काम

[@Overstrax]

what kind of liquid is that？how did it bond silver together？

[@lithohunter]

The liquid is flux that helps the solder to flow.

[@sclogse1]

Wonderful pro video. I decided to use another audio track. This kind of video needs 3/4 time. So, Shelly Manne's live version of Just Squeeze Me. It's on youtube.

[@sarahs.9340]

Would love to work as an apprentice for him!!

[@barbaraleblanc9147]

Love your work and am anxious to try something like this. What gauge bezel are you making? I know the back plate is 22 gauge.

[@lithohunter]

The bezel is 26 gauge, fine silver.

[@Lightness108]

😉👍🏼

[@wendyshaw6985]

Wow Steve, thank you for sharing. That was very informative!. What pitch were you using to hold the link down and was that a GRS plate that you had melted the pitch to? So many questions. The pliers that you used to close the link - ring closing pliers???

[@lithohunter]

I used shellac to hold the bezel setting down and yes that was a GRS plate. The pliers with the red handles are stone setting pliers, also referred to as "parrot beak pliers" These pliers have one jaw that is shorter so they they don't slip when used this way. Thanks for watching :)

[@kylehhotwork]

How much does a bracelet like that cost?

[@joshuapotter7372]

Thee pliers used at 8:39 what are they called? Also what liquid flux ate you using?

[@lithohunter]

The pliers are stone setting pliers and the liquid flux is Batterns.

[@joshuapotter7372]

Steve Howard - Thank you!

[@joshuapotter7372]

Steve Howard - just wanted to ad that I really appreciate your videos! I've learned a number things from your videos. I was disabled by an autoimmune disease around 6 years ago and lost my career in the medical field. I've been bored, miserable, and was feeling like my time on Earth is waste. I had the urge to want to create something other could enjoy and appreciate. I bought some items to resell and sort of by luck it lead me to where I started to buy, sell, and trade turquoise as well as silver jewelry locally. In short time realized it was keeping my mind busy and I enjoyed it. Using a friend's cabking I recently started making cabs instead of trading 2:1 of my raw to have it cabbed for me. After watching videos like yours I've been able to make a few pieces of my own. As a child and teen my parents would hang out in Quartzite AZ every year during the events and I was often around such stones and creativity. Something I've never done till recently for my son who's now a teenager. We'll be going back in a week to look and shop some more. I probably wouldn't of ever gone again or started to create such as my own if wasn't for the inspiration of folks like you so I just wanted to thank you.

[@paulrhodes482]

Joshua Potter Hello I was just reading your comment and want to say thank you for sharping your story! I to am disabled and lost my career and I’m going nuts and feel like I no long have a purpose in life! I am currently looking at getting into jewelry making and your story has inspired me even more just as these videos have. Wishing you all the best thanks again. -Paul

[@billygagne2139]

I just subbed you!!. you're awesome dude I want to be just like you. I want to learn I'm 35 I live in Connecticut I love jewelry. but I would love making it more than anything

[@lauranodrama]

I live in CT too and amazingly there are not too much in the way of silversmithing...

[@junkpunx82]

Hi Steve, I noticed in the beginning of the video you make your own bezel wire from silver sheet.what gauge do you use for that?

[@lithohunter]

The strip that I cut was for the links, 20 gauge I think. I used 26 gauge fine silver for the bezels. I do cut bezel strip from fine silver sheet sometimes, usually for heavier bezels up to 18 gauge. Stone setting with heavy bezels is done with a hammer and punch.

[@BarbaraAViaud-pp7cj]

A true artisan. You take great pride in your work, and make it look so simple. I didn't realize how tedious the process is in making jewelry. Apart from the design element, getting the theme you desire aligned. Have you made any pieces off the fly without a sketch in mind, or do you see in inside your head and work from there? I do flower arrangements off the cuff once I see the finished piece in my mind. But it always seems to deviate and take on a life of it's own. Is it the same for you?

[@lithohunter]

Thank you very much Barbara. It is the same for me! With this piece I knew which stones I wanted to use and that I wanted make a link style bracelet. The making process was an improvisation. That is how I prefer to work.

[@BarbaraAViaud-pp7cj]

Ahhhh! That's what's known as TALENT!

[@wendyannh]

Beautiful piece, Steve! What gauge silver sheet did you use, and what gauge wire? Did you solder the links closed before or after pinching them, or is that the only way they were finished? I somehow couldn't see if you did or not.

[@lithohunter]

I think the sheet was 22 gauge and the wire was 18 gauge. I soldered the links made from sheet after assembling all of the parts. 9:14

[@wendyannh]

Steve Howard Thanks for the clarifications!

[@Brisbane_Balki]

Hi Steve, excellent . i am a beginner and from australia. please tell what you use in the bottle and how to make pearl drops. if you can recommand some youtube video, it would be nice. thanks bk

[@lithohunter]

The small bottle has Batterns liquid flux in it. When you say "pearl drops" are you referring to the small silver balls that make up the border around the stones? We call them "shot" in this part of the world.

[@fernandadewes4766]

lindo demais

[@fiijjj9004]

where do u get the silver sheets from

[@lithohunter]

I get most of my supplies from www.stuller.com/

[@huskyfluffy]

Beautiful! I saw that you were burning off the denatured alcohol and borax to prevent fire scale when the bracelet was laid out and you were soldering the final links. But I didn't see you using the denatured alcohol and borax coating on all the other soldering steps. Did you only do it at the end, or did you do it all the time, and just didn't show it? I haven't done this step yet.....instead i use the flux in a spray bottle, and coat it when the piece is hot. I know this isn't the best, but I guess I'm fearful of a bottle of flammable stuff on my table top! Any advice??

[@lithohunter]

Thank you so much :) I do use the alcohol borax mix for all of the soldering steps, just didn't show them. I have a lid on the mix and I close it after stirring and dipping. A beaker with a rubber lid works fine. I use the 935 silver alloy "Sterlium Plus" from Stuller for casting and fabricating. As long as the metal isn't overheated there is zero fire scale. My only advice is, don't tip the beaker over :) Oh, also my beaker of alcohol and my pickle pot are setting in a pyrex baking dish.

[@huskyfluffy]

Steve Howard thank you for the advice! May I ask why you prefer this type of silver? And how do you mark it? Is it higher than sterling, but less than fine?

[@lithohunter]

It does have a slightly higher silver content than standard sterling and I mark it as .925

[@lithohunter]

Here is a link that describes this allow: Note that in the technical sheet it is mentioned that it cannot be reticulated and that if quenched at too high a temperature it can crack. www.stuller.com/benchjeweler/resources/bencharticles/view/sterlium-plus/

[@dangay5725]

@@lithohunteroo

[@jlhi808]

How do you secure the stone to the bezel ?

[@lithohunter]

The bezel is pushed down over the edge of the stone to hold the stone in.

[@muffman4477]

Where did you get the lil silver balls? @5:29

[@soulfuljewels8059]

What are you using for the stick soldering

[@lithohunter]

I used medium when I soldered the shot on.

[@Puchaina_89]

thank you howard do you mind making a video for school ring in wax I just don't know making letters on it thank you

[@lithohunter]

Try the search terms, making class rings Juan.

[@charlieaponte2658]

Do you use solder that"s soft or medium

[@lithohunter]

I used hard for the bezel, medium for the bead borders and links.

[@tattoofthesun]

What mine is that from?

[@Dharlanna]

I just found you and what a find! I love your videos! Would you share what rubber wheel you're using? The dark blue one. Thank you!

[@lithohunter]

Thank you Debbie! Here is a link to the blue wheels I use: www.stuller.com/products/11-6060/?groupId=1910&fromRAC=true

[@JPETTUS191]

Hello I have some old mined turquoise that is as good as it gets and if you see this you wont believe the quality your self

[@senkster1851]

Yeah he is

[@katyb415]

What is the goo you melt to hold your piece when closing the bezel? Great idea!!! And thanks, this is a great video.

[@lithohunter]

Thanks Katy. It is orange flake shellac. Most jewelry supply companies have it. Has been used for centuries :) The residue left on the piece can be dissolved in a container of alcohol. It takes time to dissolve it. I also use a modern material, Thermo-Loc®