Soldered Oval and Rounded Square Links

A Measuring Charts Made Easy Project: Stage 1 & 2

Forming – Soldering – Hammering (optional)

Learn to solder these great silver links with ease!  I’ve shown the two links assembled as a pair of earrings here, but they could be used to make a fabulous necklace as well.  The links are the same length so they can also be stacked on top of each other for even more interest.  They are a versatile component, and there’s a multitude of ways to assemble them to yield wonderfully geometric jewelry.
 
Traditionally speaking it can be difficult to form perfect ovals and rounded squares, but it’s easy when you use my measuring chart system.  I will provide the measuring charts needed to complete these earrings in class, so if you haven’t taken the Measuring Charts Made Easy Classes yet, you can still create this project.  If you have already taken MCME Stages 1 & 2,  you’ll have the know-how to chart various sizes after taking this class, allowing you to have lots of fun scaling the links to create even more variations.
 
We’ll be working with 18ga wire to keep the forming nice and easy, but this light weight wire requires the form to be soldered closed for strength.  Once your links are soldered, you can hammer them a bit to add even more interest.  This is a great class for soldering practice as well as building your forming skills.
 

Where?

Desert Jewel Studio, 26839 N 44th St, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. You will receive directions upon registering for class.

When?

Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 2-5pm (or so…)

How do I sign up?

Class will be $60/person. E-mail jen@jewelryclasseswithjen.com or call Jen at (480)635-2402 to register any time from noon to 10pm.

What will I need to bring to class?

Materials will be available for sale in class if you don’t have your own.  The class is meant to focus on the skill of making these two styles of links, but if you want to make earrings as you see pictured, here’s the list of materials… (if you want to just focus on making links, you need just over 1.5″ for each square one and just under 1.5″ for each oval one)

  • 6″+ length of 18ga dead soft sterling silver wire
  • (1) pair of hand-made ear wires (these are the ones I teach using MCME)
  • (4) 4/32″ID 18ga jump rings

MCME Reference: ( The instructions will include my measurements, but if you want to customize the patterns for your own tools…)

  • Spacer tools: 1/4″, 1/8″, 3/8″, and 3/16″
  • Measuring tool for U Curves – 18ga/ stepped pliers – small step
  • Measuring tool for Diameter Curves – 18ga/ stepped pliers – small step

Tools:

  • Flush cutter
  • File(s) – needle files are fine for this project
  • Stepped pliers (Beadsmith #PL48)
  • Chain-nose pliers
  • Flat pliers
  • Sharpie marker (ultra fine tip)
  • Embossing hammer (optional if you want to hammer them after they are soldered)
  • Steel block/ silencing pad (optional if you want to hammer them after they are soldered)
  • Texture hammer (optional)
  • 3M sanding sponges/ slurry coated polishing cloths
  • Magnifying glasses– most people don’t think they need them until they are faced with seeing the detail of jewelry close-up.
  • Covered water or other refreshing beverage
  • Snacks are always welcome as well. 🙂

 

I will supply the following for your use in class:
  • Basic soldering set-up
  • Medium silver solder

The majority of the above items are available locally at C&D Silver, SJ Jewelry Supply, Lonnie’s Jewelry Supply or other on-line jewelry supply sources. If you have any difficulty or questions about obtaining any of these items, please contact Jen to inquire about your options.