Silver Ring with beads! I'm soldering, folks, and it feels fine.

My new jewelry desk is finished, and I've finally made my first piece of silver jewelry from scratch. I'm pretty dang pleased with how it turned out. I couldn't bring myself to leave the house for church today. All of the babies and pregnant women make me too sad, and I just needed a break today. So I sat at home listening to church stuff and making some pretty things. I'll go back next week.

So yes, indeed, I made this from sterling wire and sheet silver. I had the idea to combine soldering with that wirework I was having fun with, so I made this simple shape. Mixing up all my chemicals and using my torch to solder for the first time was interesting, and a little teensy bit challenging, but I am going to enjoy it. I'm stoked to add this to my list of skills that I have a compulsive need to constantly add to. There are worse compulsions than needing to learn to make stuff, right?

Here's the ring after I put the beads on with wire. It took me ages to choose which beads I wanted to use, for this, my most epic momentous first ring. I'm satisfied with my choice. It's summery and it'll go well with most of my outfits.

 The band is a hammered texture, which is a happy accident. I accidentally cut the band too small and had to hammer it out a bit to make it bigger. Oops. Still looks cute, though, and definitely more handmade-looking :)

My hands look wrinkly in these photos. I hope you all have been having a great weekend! Here's to feeling better.