The next step in making filigree is the soldering work! It takes forever, since you have to be very meticulous about soldering every single tiny joint, including the insides of the swirl designs. Here is a photo in the middle of the process, and one right after they come out of the pickle! Yes, I have a lot of firescale, but that will not be for long :)
Now that you've got smooth, flat frame pieces, you get to do the arranging of the final design! Like I mentioned before, I'm doing a random design, so I just piece the little pretties into the frame like a puzzle. You want them to fit snugly against eachother so that you can solder each and every piece. I make them so snug that sometimes one jumps up out of the frame!
Step Five is to polish the pendant frames and make sure there is a clean inside especially for soldering the pretty filigree swirls to.
I had to take a self-portrait for an interview, so I took one of me working on these pendants!Your filigree will need a frame to support all the pretties. I am making heart-shaped pendants. Step four is to fit and solder your pendant frames!
If you're like me, your pretty little swirlies are all a bit bent out of shape. You'll want to flatten them, and also make sure that all the middles of the twirls are closed loops, so your finished filigree design won't snag on hair or clothing. I use a rawhide mallet and a bench block to gently hammer my designs flat. And now from this picture I realize how badly I need to clean my bench!
