How to Create Soldered Glass Art Jewelry

Any art medium or craft takes practice. Learning to control and master a craft takes time. Using the right tools and quality materials give better results while practicing and keeps frustration to a minimum. My first advice is to find a good quality soldering iron that allows temperature control. Buying different sized soldering tips allows work on different sized pieces. For jewelry I use a small tip, 1/8 inch. I use the Weller 100 watt soldering iron.

Purchasing a thermostat keeps the soldering iron at a constant temperature. A good heavy soldering stand is a must for safety. I have one that includes a sponge to keep my soldering iron tip clean. A third hand or some type of large clip are good for holding my piece while I solder as it keeps my hands from getting burned from the iron or the work.

Besides tools that will last, supplies will be needed for creating the piece. Glass tiles, jewelry grade lead-free solder, adhesive backed copper tape, gel soldering flux, steel wool, solder polish, an old paint brush, and a bone folder are just some of the basic supplies that are needed besides the artwork that will be placed between the glass.

Glass tiles can be found in all shapes and sizes, beveled or not beveled, and colored or clear.

It's important to calculate the thickness of the piece with the art and the two pieces of glass before purchasing copper tape as the tape comes in different thicknesses depending on the thickness of the piece. Silver back copper tape is good to use the piece is transparent and the back can be seen through the art. It is best to match the adhesive side of the tape color with the resulting color of your solder. If the piece will be darkened with chemicals, use the black backed tape. For my work any copper tape will work as I fill the whole glass area with my art and the back cannot be seen through the piece. For a more decorative look, wavy copper tape is available.

Using a gel flux is recommended as liquid flux can leak under the adhesive to your art between the glass.

There are different types of solder, be sure to use lead-free solder if making jewelry. I use Canfield Silvergleem. It produces a high shine and contains a good amount of sterling silver. It melts at 430°F and has instant freeze which lets the artist sculpt designs with the solder. I've also used Canfield - DGS which is a less expensive alternative, but is still lead-free, contains some silver and is easy to use.