How to make your own Upcycled Soldered Bezels for jewelry making
For me, this technique changed the way I make jewelry. I love jewelry, I love making jewelry and I especially love upcycled jewelry, but one thing I didn’t love is relying on what is available in my local craft stores because let’s face it, we don’t want something someone else has – right?. I’ve tried to various soldering techniques before and with a measure of success, however, when I started soldering with a propane torch, it seemed like the world of jewelry making opened up to a whole new level of ideas and creativity. I can’t wait to share my secrets for creating your own upcycled soldered bezels too!
Working with galvanized metal gives me the aged and vintage look that I am after when I create mixed media jewelry and best of all, it solders! YES! I am in LOVE! Galvanized metal is easy to find, in fact, you can upcycle this metal from old buckets, siding, flashing and now MD Hobby and Craft has these sheets available in many major craft stores and hardware stores.
This technique is great if you are into resin crafts, just fill with your momento’s and then add resin and let dry. You can also make lockets, or simply solder designs. There are so many options with this technique.
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Disclaimer: MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS! Wear protective gloves when working with metal as the edges are sharp and could cause serious injury – like cut a finger off. (OUCH!)
ONLY solder on surfaces that will not burn – such as a granite base with a firebrick. Torches can ignite objects which they come in contact with so use caution.
Do NOT touch any of the metal with your fingers after you’ve just soldered them, you will get serious burns! Yes, you will – don’t try to prove me wrong!
USE your common sense, that means – think before you do. If it doesn’t make sense, don’t do it. When in doubt, don’t do it. I can not be held responsible for your injury- sorry :(.
How to make Upcycled Metal Soldered Bezels
You will need:
Galvanized metal (either in sheets or upcycled from an old bucket)
Propane Torch
Solder (60/40)
Flux
flux brush
Water
Pliers
Metal Shears
Protective Gloves
Sandpaper/ metal files
Granite stone base/firebrick – something that will not ignite and is not glass
Optional: brass brush, soft cloth, rubbin alcohol.
To create the bezel:
Trim a length of metal approximately 1/4″ wide and bend into the shape you want either with your hands or pliers. Apply flux to bottom
Cut out a base plate this same shape – but make sure it is at least 1/4″ larger than your shape and apply flux to base.
Position bezel shape onto base and add small nuggets of solder to the inside of bezel
Turn on your torch and heat. The solder will flow under your bezel and cause it to “weld” together. Allow it to cool completely.
Trim any excess metal away as desired and file edges smooth.
Clean up with rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth.
If you want a brighter look you can use a brass brush to give it a brushed glow.