What has been challenging me.

I am missing so many things.

A trip to Elephant Rocks state park.

Lorelei's Michael's Bead Challenge.

Claire's Give-Away. 

My own Peek into the Printer's Drawer post.

But I overcame a challenge.

20 double soldered hoops in copper

20 more double soldered hoops in brass.

28 patina-ted double soldered hoops in 7 different colors.

And...

68 hammered and antiqued, brush finished (each and every gosh darned one of them) copper ear wires.

I know. My friend Jan calls me a factory. Not the best thing for a creative spirit but it pays the bills.

The thing that was most challenging, I do not know if you want to know this much about the process but, to solder 2 hand cut jump rings onto a 2" hoop is mighty different then soldering them on a 1" hoop which is what I had created previously and thought would be no different, just.... larger.

However when it came to building the pieces, I found out a few things;

1. The heat from the torch flame heats the smaller jump to the highest temperature first, so the flux and therefore the solder flows towards the smallest jump ring first, instead of joining the 2 jumps to the largest 2" hoop. The solder simply melts over the smaller, closest jump ring with no join happening no matter how hard and loud you curse at it.

2. When soldering 2 jumps onto a 1" hoop, you can heat the whole piece evenly and solder all 3 pieces in one single step.

When soldering 2 jumps onto a 2" hoop, you have to first solder the 2" hoop with medium flow solder (this solder is harder and will not re-melt when you apply heat for the second solder step), pickle, clean and tumble for strength. Then you grind all points that touch (adding 5 minutes onto each piece), solder the top jump on with easy flow solder (this melts faster), pickle, clean, dry and then only then, can you solder on the second jump into the 2" hoop.

3. It takes 6 half hour shows of Paranormal State plus 1 No Reservations to measure, cut, shape and hammer 68 ear wires.

4. The fourth and final important lesson I learned; My husband will literally keep me locked in the back room soldering and steadily feed me Rock Star energy drinks and Snicker bars until I finish. 

No matter how whiny I get. But he will help cut jump rings and brush the antiqued finish which saved me hours of time.

I drastically under priced and it seemed as if the order was never ending. But it did and I am sure I am better person for it.