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Hi Friends,

Been a long time since I last posted... So many changes... So little time....

I'm restarting my art engine again. VROOM!!!!! Click on the pics for details. Enjoy.

Soldering Process, Part 2

In order for solder to adhere to the perimeter of an object, it must be covered with copper foil and burnished.

Copper foil is available in different  widths to accommodate various thicknesses of objects.  The blue foil dispenser on the table below contains several rolls making it easy to dispense. 

Susan's Foiling and Burnishing Area

Copper soldering foil has adhesive on one side allowing it to stick to an object. For the most secure adhesion, clean the object with an alcohol wipe, let it dry and then add the foil.

Foil is placed on an object as if wrapping a present. You miter the corners making it as neat as possible and burnish or rub the foil until smooth to remove air pockets.

Completed copper foiled and burnished pieces

Visit my website to see the completed soldered pieces above and others.

Click to read: Soldering Process, Step 1.

Soldering Process, Part 1

Thought I'd share some of the steps involved in creating my handmade soldered china pendants on my website at http://www.susancalvert.com/solderedpendants.html.

Below is my portable cutting and grinding station.

Portable Cutting and Grinding Station

To create it, I dismantled a lamp shade and draped heavy vinyl over it.  I pull the drape over and work inside the area cutting and grinding pieces to be soldered.  It's not 100% tight but it is pretty good.  I wear a long sleeved shirt, gloves, apron, safety glasses, ear muffs and a dust mask while working.  The system is simple. Clean up is a snap.

Winking Woman

"Winking Woman", 1 x 1-3/4", $28 (includes shipping and a 30" adjustable ball chain) is available for purchase on my website at http://www.susancalvert.com/solderedpendants/ladypendants.html.

Earth Day Soldered Pendant

Every day is Earth Day.  Yippee!  To celebrate, I created some flora soldered pendants.

Single Leaf Soldered Pendant Necklace

There are several way we can make a difference this Earth Day.  Recycling and upcycling come to mind:

Upcycling refers to reusing a product in a new way without degrading the material it is made from as opposed to recycling which generally involves breaking down the original material and making it into something else, using more energy.

My handmade soldered pendants are created using pieces of broken china dinnerware.  I solder and add a jump ring to create a necklace.  I think this is a cool way to reuse.  These flora pendants would also make a nice gift for Mother's Day.  Check out all my designs.

Geometric Design Soldered Pendant

At the request of a few of my male customers, I've soldered up some manly-man looking pendants.
 

Colorful Geometric Pendant

Even though I'm a gal, I'd wear this one too.  It's bright colors and abstract design would coordinate well with many different colored shirts, especially on a solid blue shirt, like the blue color in the pendant.  The pendant would go POP, POP, POP and be noticed instantly.  Heck, you might be the life of the party wearing this pendant.  LOL!

Additional details about this piece and more pendants are available on my website.

SALE - Painted Hearts Soldered Pendants

Due to my paint being discontinued at the local store, I have placed my hearts painted on broken china soldered pendant necklaces on SALE for $20 each.  Price INCLUDES shipping to the 48 United States.
 

There is only one of each piece in stock.  First come, first serve.

Visit my website to see additional designs and purchase your pendant.

Steven Pressfield Online

Here is an interesting blog post regarding artists and creativity written by Steven Pressfield.

I can relate saying "been there, done that".  As I've matured, I've learned to show some teeth like Zelda pictured below, to fight the fight and move forward.

"Zelda", © Susan Calvert, all rights reserved