Cheryl Strait's The Caged and Captured Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. In this tutorial, you will learn and use torch soldering techniques, and etching to create one of a kind caged and captured pendants, incorporating gemstones, found objects, etc.
The Caged and Captured Pendant
by Cheryl Strait
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
In this tutorial, you will learn and use torch soldering techniques, and etching to create one of a kind caged and captured pendants, incorporating gemstones, found objects, etc...

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-705.24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.43
  • Gold Club Price: $6.32
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16 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-16D
  • Lesson Quantity: 24.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $30.40
  • Gold Club Price: $22.80
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Tools

etching solution
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
G13-5
  • G13-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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140 Grit (Medium-Fine) Diamond Sawblade - Pack of 1
G18-9
  • G18-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.95
  • Gold Club Price: $6.71
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4 Saw Frame with Tension Screw
SAW-334.00
  • SAW-334.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.97
  • Gold Club Price: $16.48
Out of Stock
Blazer GB4001 Stingray Torch, Black
TRCH-4001
  • TRCH-4001
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $49.95
  • Gold Club Price: $37.46
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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.95
  • Gold Club Price: $8.21
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Foredom Foot Control for 115 Volt Series SR Motors
G22-C.FCT-1
  • G22-C.FCT-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $44.44
  • Gold Club Price: $33.33
Out of Stock
NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR
CLN-163.00
  • CLN-163.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $17.95
  • Gold Club Price: $13.46
Out of Stock
neoprene gloves
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Bench Blocks - 130 X 130 X 20
DUR-1187
  • DUR-1187
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $65.33
  • Gold Club Price: $49.00
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Instructions
Step 1
Prep your metal sheet by sanding, then stamp with rubber stamps and stazon ink or draw with sharpie design on metal. The ink will act as a resist when you etch the metal. So the design you stamp or draw will remain smooth, while the rest of the metal etches.
Step 2
Add the etching solution to a plastic rectangular plastic container, cover the back of your copper with masking tape, and submerge it in the etchant. Leave it for 30 minutes or more, depending on the chemical reaction taking place.
Wearing rubber gloves, once it has been etched, remove from etchant and stop the chemical reaction by sprinkling baking soda and dish soap on the copper and scrubbing with a wire brush.
Step 3
Design the shape you'd like the piece to be. The shape can take on any form, keeping in mind the stone or object you are going to be caging. Once you have the shape decided, begin to saw this out either using a jewelers saw or tin snips.
You will then create a window by cutting into the metal with your jewelers saw. Pierce the shape with the dremel and a drill bit, then insert the saw blade, tighten it and saw out the shape or design. Create a bail from the metal left by cutting a strip approximately ¼ inch wide by about 2 inches long,
Cheryl Strait's The Caged and Captured Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, caged and captured
Step 4
Begin to build the frame by cutting sterling wire and making a cage by creating u-shaped pieces with the wire. At times, place your gemstone or object in place to make sure the cage is going to fit over the stone.
Using the third arm to hold the wire in place on the etched plate, solder with hard solder on the first wire. Then with each subsequent u-shaped wire, solder down with medium solder working your way down to easy solder. Quench, pickle and clean, repeating this process, till all sterling wire pieces are soldered into place. Solder the bail together.
Cheryl Strait's The Caged and Captured Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, cage and captured
Step 5
Your object or gemstone can be inserted into the cage by stretching or moving the now soldered wires.
Step 6
Finish by using the flex shaft, a buffing wheel and zam and buffing the piece to a nice shine