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Soldered Collage Charm/Pendant using Glass Slides

Posted on Fri, Jan 25 2008
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This is the podcast I get asked to make more than any other. I hear, "when are you going to show us how to make those glass charms and pendants that you make?" I think I have been holding out because I sell these quite a bit at local shows and maybe in a subconscious way I didn't want to "share." Well, no more. I am sticking to my motto that everyone benefits when they share information and ideas. So, here it is. Gather these supplies and follow along:

  • sheet of glass to cover workspace
  • fan
  • safety glass
  • lead-free solder
  • liquid flux
  • copper foil tape
  • mini clamps
  • solder iron, stand, and cleaning sponge
  • paper and photos to creat mini collage
  • adhesive
  • x-acto knife
  • scissors
  • pliers
  • sanding block
  • glass microscope slides
  • bone folder
  • cleaning wipes or wash cloth
  • jump ring
  • glass cutter

So, for those of you who have bought the books on how to make soldered charms but are still to unsure about how to get started, now is the time. Before you know it you will have a completed project that you will be proud of!

It may be difficult to find all of these items in one location, but a good place to start is at Simply Swank(formerly known as Scrapalatte.) I have also found supplies at Home Depot and others online. Initially, you may be able to get away without using a rheostat, but if you want to make more than a few items, then I highly suggest you buy one. Again, look online or you may be able to purchase one from a stained glass supply store. I have heard that Volcano Arts is a good place to order these types of things from, although I haven't ordered from them. Finally, a good glass cutter is a must if you intend on making several of these charms. The cheap one from the hardware store will work for a bit, but I highly recommend visiting a stained glass supply store or shop online for a nice cutter and then you will also need cutting oil. I know it seems like a lot of stuff but if you think you may enjoy making these types of things, then I don't think you will regret your investment in tools and supplies. However, if you love the project samples and want one, but don't think you will ever make one, please check out my Etsy shop or visit my custom order page .

**Congratulations to Elsie McElroy for being the winner for the prize from the prize gallery. Please send me an email with the prize you would like and I will send it off. If you would like to be entered in the drawing, simply leave a comment for today's show.**

Interested in the book? Please check out my earlier post about Bernie Berlin (it's not too late to enter the drawing for that post) as well as the other post about the challenge some of us are working on (you are welcome to play too!)

Comments

Fri, Feb 05 2010 — Anonymous Crafter (not verified)

Soldered charms

Loved your podcast! I wanted to ask you how I would add a charm or rhinestones underneath or in between the pieces of glass. I thought it would be a nice touch but not sure if you use different supplies. Maybe a thicker glass or thicker copper tape. Can you help me out? Thanks!
Fri, Jan 08 2010 — JoDene Moneuse (not verified)

Soldered collage pendant

I just wanted to thank you for the terrific podcast! I make all sorts of mixed metal jewelry and I'm also a painter. I have been wanting to learn about these pendants that have become so popular to try and incorporate both. Your sharing has given me a new outlet to my creating. I went right away and bought a kit from the etsy shop: "glass supplies" and am looking forward to giving it a try. I have an etsy shop also: (www.smilinggirlstudio.etsy.com) and if I make any in my shop I will make sure and mention you! You're an inspiration! Thank you! JoDene
Mon, Oct 26 2009 — Shelly (not verified)

Loved the podcast

Hi Michelle....I've made a few of the soldered charms but was frustrated with trying to figure out how to hold them while soldering. Now I know I need to find those handy little clamps. I've also had the hardest time attaching the jump ring. This was so helpful....can't wait to try it your way! (oh, and I've never sanded before either)
Sat, Oct 17 2009 — Anonymous Crafter (not verified)

soldered charms

I really enjoyed the podcast on soldered charms - I think I can do this!
Mon, Aug 31 2009 — Cyanoacrylate adhesive (not verified)

Use Cyanoacrylate for the adhesive

If you are looking for an adhesive for this project, you may want to consider a cyanoacrylate adhesive (a.k.a. crazy glue). This glue is fast setting and bonds to most materials.
Sat, Aug 15 2009 — Crystal Y (not verified)

Soldered pendant

Michelle, Well I thought this was great I have tried this but it seems like the edges are very easy to lift from the glass is there anything I need to do to make this stick better. It's after I have it complete and them have tried to wear it . Your inst. were very very good. Please help. Thank you
Wed, Jul 08 2009 — Bellaboo (not verified)

UK crafter hooked !

Thank you so much for this great podcast! I have downloaded all of your past ones on i-tunes and will spend many happy hours being inspired by you ..... and your pets! Not so many sites like this in the UK so I am so thankful for the internet! Bella :)
Tue, Jun 23 2009 — Sorcha (not verified)

Soldering Moviecast

I honour your reasons for not wanting to share. Having purchased a book by Lisa Bluhm on the subject, I was still a bit mystified by a few stages. Your moviecast ironed them all out and in such a simple way. Just so you know, not everyone wants to sell these. I make them for pure enjoyment for myself and give some to others and I've started experimenting with little variants. I can't tell you how much private pleasure being able to do this has given me, particularly from a person who isn't 'crafty'. (I'm interested in noting that Americans tend to pronounce solder as "sodder" whereas as we pronounce it "soul-der") ;) Thanks again.
Mon, Feb 02 2009 — Melissa Davis - Men's Jewelry (not verified)

Great podcast, Michelle. You

Great podcast, Michelle. You got some really interesting concepts there. My sister actually got hooked on it and started building a little business from it. Thanks for inspiring her. Cheers! Melissa
Sun, Nov 02 2008 — Heather (not verified)

Yippee!

I love, love, love your podcast! It is my favorite of all time. It is so awesome that you share all of your knowledge with the rest of the world. Often times, artists do not want to share techniques because they do not want anyone to "copy" them. It is very refreshing that you come up with all of these neat projects and give step by step instructions. I have to admit, I tried my first soldered charm today and it was not as easy and I thought it would be. I am used to soldering with a torch so my first attempt with an iron was not very pretty. I am not giving up, though! Thanks again for all of the rockin cool projects! Heather
Thu, Apr 17 2008 — Trish Maher (not verified)

Don’t Miss the Video Revolution!

Graspr is get’in the word out about you! You’ve already got instructional videos! We know because we found your RSS feed, and we love your videos. Now, would you like to get your content onto thousands of relevant web sites and in front of your target audience? Graspr’s video syndication will do just that—take passionate producers to their relevant targeted audience through web sites that want to stream instructional videos to their visitors. Build a name for yourself. Promote and drive traffic to your web site. And, best of all, earn a share of revenue from advertising! We’ve already done most of the work for you. We’ve saved you time by adding your content onGraspr via your RSS feed. All you have to do is sign up and send me your username. We’ll associate your content with your account, and you’ll be ready for syndication! 1. Go to http://www.graspr.com and sign up for an account. 2. Complete your profile, tell your background story, add a picture, and add tags. We’ll use this information later when we showcase you as a featured Producer on Graspr’s home page. 3. Email trish.maher@graspr.com with your Graspr username 4. I will contact you when we have your content assigned! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I look forward to seeing you on Graspr. You can expect to receive future communications, as we prepare for syndication launch.If you have any questions, please contact me at trish.maher@graspr.com.If you don’t want to participate, just let me know, and we’ll remove your videos from our site. Trish Maher VP Business Development, Graspr, Inc trish.maher@graspr.com
Mon, Mar 24 2008 — JenK (not verified)

Easy Prints

Thank you for the "easy prints" idea! It came at the perfect time!!! We're getting ready for our family reunion coming up in June & this will be our first year we're having a craft auction... my niece really wanted to carve out a linoleum block to make some prints for the auction. I wasn't very comfortable with that since I have accidentally stabbed myself a time or two while carving... ouch!!! This will be a great, safe alternative for her! Thank you!!
Wed, Mar 19 2008 — elaine (not verified)

GREAT IDEA !

Love the idea of using the microscope slides to make the pendant ... thought id put in if anyone is interested in doing one without the solder and on a less grown up level ive tried tim holtz fragments and they work well. This was the 1st podcast of yours ive seen ... eagre to see more now. WELL DONE! Best Wishes ~ elaine x
Wed, Feb 13 2008 — Amy S (not verified)

Soldering Pendant

I found your site on ITUNES!! I have never seen such a detailed example of how to solder a pendant. I love making jewelry and was afraid of the soldering technique. I don't know where to buy a soldering tool or the flux. Are they expensive? I have always wanted to do this. There are infinite possibilities of making original jewelry. I wonder if small pieces of glass could be made into a bracelet? Earrings would be great - but difficult if you wanted to match them exactly (but who would want to do that???;) Thank you so much for your site. I am going to read it daily.
Mon, Feb 11 2008 — Bianca2311 (not verified)

Where do I buy the supplies?

Does anyone know where to shop for supplies in Victoria Australia? I don't know where to buy Embossing powder, slides and that foil tape you used. It's really frustrating to no be able to buy supplies!
Thu, Jan 31 2008 — Marianna D. (not verified)

My favorite Podcast!!

Hey Michelle, I just wanted to tell you that I am an avid crafter, and feel so lucky that I found your podcast. I watch them all as I ride the subways to work in the morning here in NYC. Your show makes me long for the tranquility of the west coast. I am currently in grad school for social work and I am incorporating arts and crafts into my therapy to help the undeserved populations. So, I just wanted to let you know that your ideas are being passed on to many people who may not be privileged enough to get your podcast. Thank you so much for giving me some solace on the hectic subways, and ideas to help create better quality of life for the forgotten populations (like the elderly and children in residential facilities). Your the Best! Keep the shows coming! Marianna
Tue, Jan 29 2008 — Kristin (not verified)

excellent episode!

Michelle -- I really enjoyed this episode. If the last soldered charm show didn't tempt me enough, THIS one sure did. I love the idea of using microscope slides! I also really like it that you've started mentioning books that you like. I think that's a nice addition to the podcast. I'm looking forward to the next installment. -- Kristin
Tue, Jan 29 2008 — SMullis (not verified)

Woo Hoo!!

The much anticipated soldered charm episode!! Now, I just need to dig out my husband's stained glass tools and I'm ready!!
Mon, Jan 28 2008 — Stephanie C. (not verified)

I just wanted to let you

I just wanted to let you know how much I love the show, this episode especially. You show many projects and techniques that I might not be confident enough to start just by looking in a book, but watching your show really helps with those sorts of projects.
Sun, Jan 27 2008 — Erica P. (not verified)

Loved this podcast...

Hey Michelle. Been catching up on your older shows. I loved this one though. It turned out beautiful! I'd love to do this project, but unfortunately I don't have the supplies like the soldering iron or glass cutter to do it. Loved the duct tape purse too. I'm gonna try that one for my girls :D Keep the shows coming and best wishes!
Sun, Jan 27 2008 — Robin (not verified)

soldered microscope charms and all past podcasts

Hi Michelle, I wanted to make contact from over here in the UK. I found your podcasts on itunes too: and frankly they are my favourites. As someone who is bored by knitting (there are loads of knitting podcasts) it is great to find something that dabbles with allsorts as I like to do. I wish I could have a go at "yummy pink stuff" but cannot find the ingredients over here. Perhaps as well as mentioning brand names you could say what these things are or what they are made of - there may be a very simular thing on sale over here, but I haven't found it yet. I am waiting for some liquid flux and copper tape to arrive (ordered on ebay) so that I can try your gorgeous charms, although I have little faith I could do as good a job as you do without a few years of practise! Hope you and yours are well, keep up the good work! love Robin xxx
Sun, Jan 27 2008 — Sara D. (not verified)

Found you on iTunes

I stumbled upon your video podcast on iTunes. and I'm catching up on old episodes. I love many crafts also. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who can't make up her mind. Varying my crafts keeps me interested, but most podcasts focus only on one medium. Thanks for the variety. Sara D.
Sat, Jan 12 2008 — Cat (not verified)

saw your first pod cast and

saw your first pod cast and want to see what happens here!
Sat, Jan 12 2008 — Anonymous Crafter (not verified)

saw your first pod cast and

saw your first pod cast and want to see what happens here!

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