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Welcome to my workshop! I will show you the entire process of creating a pendant with cabochon. Various special tools used here. It’s not easy, but it is available if you have a zeal for new and complex art. Even small delicate hands can cope with this.

You can find more jewelry tutorials in my Etsy shop and blog.

More info: Etsy

This wonderful little bird will tell you how to fix a cabochon and solder the copper. Ready to go?

Tools and supplies

1. Agate cabochon 13×18 cm
2. Copper wire 18, 20 and 28 gauge
3. Chain nose pliers
4. Round nose pliers
5. Wire cutters
6. Hammer
7. Miniature Horn Anvil
8. File
9. Butane torch
10. Board for soldering
11. Copper-phosphorus solder Felder 94
12. Maas Polishing Creme and Polishing pads

First, make the sketch

Take 18-gauge wire and bend it following the sketch

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You must make sufficiently dense pattern for the stone to be the base

Flatten the wire from the back side and smooth the edges

Take another piece of 18-gauge wire and make the bar for bail

Take 16 inches of 20-gauge wire and make the eye

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Soldering! I use solid solder Felder 94

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Locate the solder in the four place junction of wire

Carefully heat the whole part

Remove carbon deposits in the place where it will be attached to the eye

Attention! I solder the eye separately

I put the tweezers on this piece. This is to ensure that it is not overheated. Tweezers will delay warm itself is and detail is not melted.

Clear the bird in the hot solution of citric acid (1 spoon per cup of water)

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Beat a little detail again using a hammer. After soldering it was soft and we make it tough. Cut the excess wire and smooth the edge

Bend the bail

Now we wrap cabochon and take the wing

You can make your own pattern. But the main principle – it should be thick enough for cabochon not to slip through anywhere

Weaving! Now we have to fix the pattern, but do it elegantly

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I put together two wires and capture the lowest layer in three places

Now, weaving in the left direction

Cut the separate piece to connect the wire around the bail

Almost done. But we have to cover a patina

I polished it in two stages: first polishing pads, then cream

Wash thoroughly in the cold water and soap to clean the remnants of dirt

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A copper becomes dim from moisture

To keep its shine, cover jewelry with a special varnish for metal. I advise varnishing outside only to the body touched pure copper.

Here’s a video of the process to help you

Have a good creation! If you have questions, please ask it in the comments.