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Soldered Ceramic Tile Bracelet

Crafts • Local • Projects

 

Requirements

  • Printed mosaic tile to cut up
  • Ceramic cutter
  • Soldering iron with regulator
  • Copper foil tape
  • Flux
  • Flux brush
  • Burnishing tool or ice cream sticks
  • Small sharp scissors
  • Lead-free soldering wire with a 3,15 mm gauge
  • 21 x 8 mm (OD) x 1 mm jump rings
  • Resin
  • Lobster clasp
  • Heat resistant craft mat
  • Washing pin

Instructions

  • Step 1

    • Cut the ceramic / mosaic tile into smaller pieces. They should all be different shapes but roughly the same size. Wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

  • Step 2

    • Fit the copper foil tape around the mosaic. When folded over it should have at least a 2 mm fold over. Once you have the correct size tape wrap it around each mosaic tile, make sure the ends overlap and that the tile is in the middle of the tape so you have the same fold over on both sides.

  • Step 3

    • Cut the tape wherever the mosaic changes shape so the foil will fold easier into shape. Fold over the tape and with the burnishing tool or ice cream stick move over all the copper foil tape to secure it to the tile. Use a craft knife to cut off any areas where the copper foil didn’t join evenly.

  • Step 4

    • Dip the flux brush into the flux and brush over the copper foil tape.

  • Step 5

    • Work on a heat resistant craft sheet when soldering. Heat the soldering wire with the soldering iron, the wire will melt and you willbe able to pick it up with the tip of your soldering iron.A little goes a long way with solder, so only pick up small amounts at a time.Place the melted solder onto the copper foil and spread it evenly until the entire top is covered. Be very careful as the solder is extremely hot and you will burn if it touches your skin.

  • Step 6

    • Take the jump ring with tweezers and position it on the side of the tile.Keep the tile in position with the help of a washing pin. Brush flux on the area where the jump ring and the bottle meets. Secure the jump ring to the bottle using the soldering wire and the same technique as in step 5. This can be a bit tricky at first as you have to hold the jump ring very still; you will get better with practice. Secure another jump ring on the opposite side of the mosaic tile.

  • Step 7

    • Dip the tile in water after soldering – it will force the solder to shrink and cool down.

  • Step 8

    • Repeat steps 2 – 8 for the remaining pieces of tiles.

  • Step 9

    • Mix a small amount of resin. Flip the tiles over so the print faces the table. Gently pour a small amount of resin onto the back of each tile, give a couple of seconds to spread evenly before topping up. We do this to give the back of the bracelet a smooth finish so it won’t scratch you while wearing it. Leave the tiles to cure completely.

  • Step 10

    • Once the resin is cured you can connect the tiles using jump rings. Attach the clasp to the last tile using a jump ring.