Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge , Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. While trying to come up with an easier way to make perfect hearts, it hit me.
No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
While trying to come up with an easier way to make perfect hearts, it hit me. I had sketched out an idea for shaping a heart from a closed jump ring, but knew it would not work on small hearts.

And then the light bulb went off! Never measure wire to make a heart again! Two jump rings, any size/gauge, are all that are needed to make to make a perfect heart, EVERY TIME

Materials

Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.040) 18ga. (OD) 6mm Heavy (ID) 4.2mm - Pack of 10
K11-33
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.32
  • Gold Club Price: $3.24
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Tools

Silver Solder Paste Soft SS65- 1/4 T.O.
SOL-822.10
  • SOL-822.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.95
  • Gold Club Price: $12.71
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Economy Nylon Jaw Pliers
G2-25
  • G2-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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circle center finder
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black
TRCH-8010
  • TRCH-8010
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $40.00
  • Gold Club Price: $30.00
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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5/8 Inch Double Rubber/Nylon Head Hammer - Pack of 1
G3-26
  • G3-26
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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Multi Angle Cutting Jig
VIS-512.00
  • VIS-512.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $84.95
  • Gold Club Price: $63.71
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.
The directions shown here to make the hearts are the same for all sizes and gauges of jump rings. For the heart pendant shown here, two 18 gauge 13mm ID rings made the large heart, and two 18 gauge and two 16 gauge 5mm ID rings made the small hearts. The large heart is shown being made. Repeat the process for the two smaller hearts.

Center a closed ring on a circle center finder grid. Match the jump ring opening with one polar axis. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to mark the ring exactly opposite the opening.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 2
During this step, be careful to not distort the ring half not being straightened. Open a ring. Straighten the wire on one side of the mark. Straighten to the mark but not over it. Soft jaw pliers can easily be used on larger jump rings, but only flat nose pliers may fit inside smaller jump rings.

Repeat the process with another ring. Slightly flatten each heart side using your fingers.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 3
Place the heart sides on the soldering surface. Anneal the pieces and allow them to cool naturally.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 4
Lightly flatten the heart halves with a rubber/nylon mallet, being careful to not distort them.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 5
Slide one heart half into the center flat section of a miter jig and vise so that the cut ends just protrude beyond one side of the vise (third photo). If the ring is larger than 13mm, it may need to be placed around one of the posts (second photo). File the heart ends until they are flush with the vise.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 6
Check the fit. Make any adjustments needed in the filing. Do not try to adjust the shape as the filed ends will then no longer fit flush together.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 7
For Argentium used here, place a small dot of medium paste solder on the filed ends of one heart half. For metals other than silver, use paste solder specifically made for those metals. Place the piece with the solder on a Solderite board. Push the other heart half into the paste solder, lining up the filed ends. Heat until the solder flows.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 8
Pickle, rinse, and dry the heart.
Step 9
There are many design possibilities with the heart. Wire wrap beads around the edge, add embellishments, or solder smaller hearts inside the large one. Add snap sets or tube bezels and make a birthstone or mother's pendant.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 10
Position the two smaller hearts where desired inside the large heart. To make sure the small hearts are stable inside the large heart, try to make sure there will be three soldered points on each small heart. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to mark the large heart where medium paste solder should be placed as well as the small hearts where solder should be placed. Press the small hearts into place. Heat until the solder flows.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 11
A bail can be added at this point using easy paste solder. A more modern way to wear the pendant is a chain through the heart, so the bail was decided against.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 12
Clean and refine the solder joins use a variety of sanding pads, using the finest last.
Judy Larson's No Measure Hearts, Any Size, Any Gauge  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, no measure hearts
Step 13
Tumble for several hours to bring up a nice shine.