Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings, Holiday Designs. Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. Some of my friends and relatives raise exotic chickens which have beautiful fluffy plumage.
Three French Hens Earrings
by Judy Larson
  • Category: Holiday Designs
  • Technique(s): Sawing, Texturing, Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Some of my friends and relatives raise exotic chickens which have beautiful fluffy plumage. Yes, I know, only roosters have big fluffy tails! I couldn't help myself so call it artistic license! The texture sheets I used for the Partridge reminded me so much of chickens strutting their stuff that I had to use it on the fancy French Hens. How will you make your French Hens? 

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H19-24SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $31.87
  • Gold Club Price: $23.90
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20 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.76
  • Gold Club Price: $2.07
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Tools

French Shears - Curved Shear with Spring
SHR-531.01
  • SHR-531.01
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.97
  • Gold Club Price: $22.48
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Basic Sawing Kit
G15-7
  • G15-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $34.95
  • Gold Club Price: $26.21
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Blazer Excalibur SI-100CR Multi-Purpose Soldering Kit
TRCH-1006
  • TRCH-1006
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $99.95
  • Gold Club Price: $74.96
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Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.
SOL-822.15
  • SOL-822.15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces
CLN-584.00
  • CLN-584.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $31.95
  • Gold Club Price: $23.96
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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
Stainless Steel Shot - 1 lb Bag
G24-4
  • G24-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $43.95
  • Gold Club Price: $32.96
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Solderite Soldering Board, Hard, 6 Inch by 6 Inch
SOL-420.10
  • SOL-420.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Instructions
Step 1
The first template, 2½" x 6", contains the designs that are to be cut out and assembled. The second template, also 2½" x 6",  contains size and shape approximations for those designs requiring a backing, except for number 4, which is a charm disc that could be cut out and number 3, an alternate French Hens design. The numbers on the designs in both templates refer to the day in the song and in the tutorials. 
Decide on what texture or metal stamps to use for the bird wings and tails. Because any texturing/stamping will distort the metal shape, it is best to texture the 24 gauge Argentium sheet metal before cutting out the design. Glue the templates in place on the metal. Cut the bird bodies and wings out.  If changing the tail shape, trim the template tail off before positioning the body on the textured metal. 
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, templates
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, templates
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Step 2
Use a center punch or small period punch to impress the eye dot.   
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Step 3
Remove the paper templates from all the metal pieces. Note: All textured pieces should be annealed and flattened before soldering pieces together.  
Step 4
Decide where the wings will be placed.  
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Step 5
Place the bird bodies face up on a soldering block. Put a small dot of medium paste solder on the bird body where the largest part of the wing will rest. Press the wings into place. Optional: Use a 1.8mm hole punch to make three dots from scrap 24 gauge sheet to attach across the top of each head with medium paste solder. Heat until the solder flows. Do not quench. Allow to cool naturally.   
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Step 6
Cut two 2" (51mm) long pieces of 20 gauge round Argentium wire. Ball both ends of each wire so each piece becomes 1½" (appx. 38mm) long. 
Step 7
Place the birds face down on a solder block. Bend the balled wires in half. Position the hanging loop/legs assemblies on the back of the birds. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to draw a line on each bird to help in placing a line of medium paste solder on the back of each bird.   
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Step 8
Press the hanging loop/legs assemblies into the paste solder.   
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings
Step 9
Heat the birds with a butane torch until the solder flows. Allow the pieces to cool on the solder brick. 
Pickle, rinse, and dry the birds. 
Tumble the birds for several hours.
Step 10
Patina the birds if desired. The birds shown have patina added. 
Add ear wires.
Judy Larson's Three French Hens Earrings - , Holiday Designs, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, three french hens earrings