candle holder

[Anne]

Ok Gwen, this is for you- thought you might use it for the wedding! It's easy to make. I made this about 10 years ago.  It's oxidized a bit, could use a good clean and polish (polish with a soft toothbrush, that will get the polish out of the grooves).

In case you haven't seen this before the decorative solder is done by drawing a bead along your seam, letting it cool, then with a damp sponge in hand touch your iron tip to the solder then immediately touch the hot solder with the sponge. How much solder you use dictates how much 'splash' you get.

When I made this I put 'globs' of solder on the bottom for feet.  If I were doing it again I'd use rubber bumpers - I got mine at a framing shop.  They're those little things they put on the bottom of the frame in the back so the picture stays straight on the wall.

Ok, now I'm looking to see pics of what you have made!!!!

[Kev]

Nice solder effect Anne!

[ct4mom]

Very nice Anne. I used that solder method on a business card holder I made and it is so easy and looks awesome.

[Bleedy Pokes]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing! Neat solder trick!
I hadn't even thought of the rubber bumpers to use as feet for the bottoms. Actually, I hadn't thought to put anything on the bottom!
Okay, I'm going to have to post some photos. Give me a little while, though, I can't seem to do anything quickly.

[PiscesGlass]

Aren't rubber bumpers just the best thing...I also use them for the bottoms of boxes!  I like this method of making solder more texturized also. 

Years ago someone brought me a picture frame that the entire outside edge had been done this way...some of it was missing and she wondered if I could repair it.  I played around until I discovered the sponge trick!  Surprise of surprises, that's exactly how it had been created.  You couldn't tell where it had been repaired.  Shucks I only wish I'd taken a picture of it. 

De

[Bleedy Pokes]

Okay, Anne, I've got a couple of photos to share! These were some of my first attempts at doing anything 3D, so they're a little sloppy, but cute, none the less!

I think that your spongey solder technique would look especially cool on the glass glob votive holders!

Boy, glass is hard to photograph, especially when you're not hanging it in a window on a bright day!

[Kev]

Those are really cool Gwen!

 I like them!

[Anne]

I like them too Gwen.  Yup, I agree about the solder.  I think it adds a cool touch to lots of things.  I don't use it a lot, but do when I can. Thanks for sharing.

[Bleedy Pokes]

Thanks Kev & Anne! I showed the photos to my friend and sister, and they both liked them (the glass glob ones are intended to be hung, which is why they have the ball chain loops at the top). Since I just used scrap glass and globs that I had previously foiled, I just used up some stuff laying around my work space. Now I'm excited to use some pretty new glass to suit their colors, and I think I'll even build a little jig to ensure that all of the sides are even to neaten up the box-type candle holders. It was certainly fun to experiment with, now I'm looking forward to making some that look good enough to give away!

[Audrey]

They really are cool and I DO like the solder.

[JoanFrances]

Gwen, those are pretty.  Very nice

[ct4mom]

Those are really cool Gwen.

[Linde]

Very pretty, Gwen.

[PiscesGlass]

Nice job Gwen, I like them all!  De

[ct4mom]

Here's a business card holder I did with the sponge method

[Kev]

Nice Di. I can certainly see where that technique could come in handy.

[Bleedy Pokes]

Cool!
That sponge technique certainly adds a lot of sparkle!

[Anne]

Cool!
That sponge technique certainly adds a lot of sparkle!

I agree!! It really 'sets off' the bus card holder Di.

[Linde]

Now that is a cool technique, I've got to try it one of these days.