Not strictly glass....

[Elizabeth]

but the use of decorative soldering to 'upcycle' old pieces of broken ceramic plate dug up from the client's garden in Grahamstown (which was one of the 'frontier towns' in early South African history)
She wants to wear them as pendants,  and did'nt want anything changed or ground away from the pieces.   The big chunk was obviously from a meat platter and has a sizeable 'foot piece'.   I personally think that this will not hang well.....but the customer is always right! - Right?
She also wanted the blue glass just smoothed but not ground with a hole drilled.   This looks suspiciously like 'wine bottle, circa late 1990's - early 2000' .... but she's convinced it's old.   Whatever!

[Barbara]

Wow, nice that you did this for her, she will be happy with the results

[Joe]

That's pretty neat.

[ct4mom]

Pretty cool soldering!!!

[Kev]

These are awesome and so creative! Do you use lead free solder for these?

[Elizabeth]

These are awesome and so creative! Do you use lead free solder for these?

No,  regular 60/40.  I do issue written warnings about the lead content on any item that may come into contact with skin or food.   I did get hold of a bit of lead free solder some time ago,  but found it hard to work with,  seemed always to have a dull finish and was much more expensive as well as hard to come by here. 
 Mind you - I have just got my latest batch of 'local' (as apposed to imported from the USA)  stick solder at R174.30 per kilo - as apposed to R35.95 p.k. in 2001!  And this is coming direct from the manufacturer.   Hmmm!  I just looked that up right now ....definitely time to rethink my prices....Thank you for inadvertently  forcing me to do the math!!

[Kev]

I wonder if you could coat the solder with a clear coating?

[Tre V]

I wonder if you could coat the solder with a clear coating?

I was just thinking the same thing...varithane? or even good ole clear nail polish?
I'm seeing this with some clear peach beads..or pink..depending on what color is on that one piece..maybe some baroque pearls?

[Anne]

I'm seeing this with some clear peach beads..or pink..depending on what color is on that one piece..maybe some baroque pearls?

What a great idea Beth, you did a nice job with what you had to work with, and I agree with Tre if you have anything like that in a bead stach!

[Audrey]

SUch a wonderful idea. Those are great! You are always so clever.

[cherokee]

These are great and I love your decorative soldering! 

I don't know if you can get it there, but SilverGleem lead free solder will give you the same shine but it is pricey.  It is a little harder to work with but if you are using a Weller soldering iron, you can get an 800 degree tip to make it flow and melt faster.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks everyone, for the kind comments.   I seldom do jewelery - this was just a one off from someone who approached me at a market.   I will make inquiries about what is available in the lead free solder line sometime,  but it's not a big priority for me really.   I simply edged these pieces for the client - what she does with them is up to her,  although I must say that I agree with you Theresa,  I can see some baroque pearls....   Maybe she will show me what she has done when I do the Easter market in Grahamstown.

[PiscesGlass]

I really like what you did with these, and I'm sure that you customer will love them.  I particularly liked the one where you did the decorative soldering and added the two round blobs of solder.  That doesn't sound nice does it?  But you know what I mean. LOL.

I found working with the Silvergleem that too hot of an iron also burns it up.  There's got to be a happy medium with this expensive..ahem..crap.  I detest working with lead free solder, I've tried using regular flux, gel flux, high heat, middle of the road heat..I fail to understand how anyone ever gets a smooth bead using it.  And if someone can and does...will you please let us know what the secret is..and preferably post a video of your process?

De

[Alan]

I fail to understand how anyone ever gets a smooth bead using it.  And if someone can and does...will you please let us know what the secret is..

Ask a plumber how they do it - since, around here at least, they MUST use lead free solder when soldering anything that gets near a food or water source (most of the ones I know use a torch  )

And I totally agree with you De - 'tis nutin' but a waste of money and ruins good equipment!

[PiscesGlass]

   I'd like to take a torch to the stuff, but I highly doubt that my solder beads would stand up under it. LOL

[cherokee]

I use lead free on anything that may be handled such as the "sand castles" and definitely my pendants.  I use a weller 100 iron with an 800 degree tip. Takes some time to learn it's little nuances but it works well and I also do some decorative dots and scallops. I'll post some pics later. 

[Elizabeth]

Glad I'm not the only one to dislike lead free solder!   I had a call from the client today,  who is thrilled with her pieces,  and is actually wanting to pay more than I asked for doing it!   (as usual,  I did under quote,  especially on time!)  Anyway,  I reiterated my lead warning,  but she was unconcerned,  as she plans to wear them over clothing.   Although she wants more done,  - jewelery is not one of my usual products,  so for now the lead free solder remains fairly low on my want list!

Alan,  I'm guessing the plumber is'nt too concerned with a smooth bead or decorative finish????

Looking forward to pictures, Tanya.  Am I being an ignorant colonial again ?? ......what are sand castles?   As I typed that I had a lightbulb moment......are they those little bevel pyramids with sand and shells inside??

[cherokee]

Yes, sand castles or sand boxes are the triangle bevels with sand and shells, but mine are a little different.  

Here are a few items done with lead free.  For the pendants I used Silver Gleem and the sand castles I used DGS Lead Free or Canfield Pewter Finish.

Excuse the little shell stuck at the top on the left one, this was just a quickie pic!  LOL

[Elizabeth]

Those are beautiful, Tanya!  You certainly have the lead free solder taped!   I love the shape of the little 'lying down' sandbox in front on the last picture!   Thank you for showing!

[cherokee]

Thank you! I really like the ones I made from water glass I have the largest one at my desk at work and constantly have to clean the fingerprints off - it's quite popular!