Scrap Melt

by Judy Larson

At least once a year during the early fall, I get together with some friends to melt down my scrap silver. They each end up taking home some unique water, salt, and broom cast pieces to work with during the winter. This year, even though we worked for several hours, I still had quite a bit of scrap left. Yes, I could have kept adding to it for another year, but I thought it might be easier to store as well as be more usable if I melted it down.

Instructions

That sounds like such a satisfying process almost like a treasure hunt with molten silver! Swirling the water to create that "tornado" effect before pouring the metal must make for some unique, interesting textures or shapes in the cooled silver.

Did you find any cool or unexpected shapes in your "treasure" this time around? And do you have a favorite way to use those pieces afterward?

Judy Larson's Scrap Melt - , General Education, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, I decided to fill a large can half full with cold water.

That's awesome! Cold, swirling water really does work wonders for creating smaller, more manageable metal chunks instead of one big lump. It's like turning scrap into ready-to-use little nuggets perfect for melting down for future projects without having to break up giant masses.

And Argentium's bright white finish must make those pieces look extra fresh and inviting, ready to become beautiful jewelry again. Do you have a go-to project or design you like to use these smaller cups for? Or do you keep them as a kind of "silver stash" for inspiration?

Judy Larson's Scrap Melt - , General Education, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, pieces of Argentium silver

That's such a rewarding process turning those unexpected, organic shapes into unique pendants! It's like the silver has a story of its own, and you're just giving it new life and meaning.

Plus, recycling silver this way is so eco-friendly and creatively inspiring. I bet each pendant has its own vibe and personality because of those natural, one-of-a-kind forms. Do you tend to add stones or other materials to these pieces, or do you like to keep the silver shapes as the main focus?

Judy Larson's Scrap Melt - , General Education, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, I found more pieces to use alone or marry together-first and second photos

Judy Larson's Scrap Melt - , General Education, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, scrap melt

Judy Larson's Scrap Melt - , General Education, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, outcome of Argentium silver

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Tools

Handy Flame II Propane Torch

SOL-330.00

SOL-330.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $74.95
Gold Club Price: $56.21

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Whip, Wire Handled Instrument for Pouring, Large with 2 Crucibles

CAS-250.20

CAS-250.20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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12x12 Inch Rubber Mat

MAT-500.00

MAT-500.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Optional Tools

Deluxe Soldering Kit

G15-5

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $116.97
Gold Club Price: $87.73

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques

Reviews

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

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