Hello,
I make bracelets with West African beads attached to a chain bracelet by jump rings and I find my bracelets break easily by just closing to jump rings with pliers. I am considering welding the rings and would like to know if you could provide instructions and training on how to do it as I have never done it before.
Great question! There are a few different ways to make your connections stronger. Typically welding refers to larger pieces and often non precious metals and at the jewellery scale we call it soldering but this only works for some metals and can’t be done near beads. I think the most useful technique to learn would be something called a tie-off. This can be done in our 1 day class called Goldsmithing for Beaders (you learn more than just the one technique) or in a private 2 hour session with one of our goldsmiths who uses this technique in their work.
Call or email for more information.
Best,
Gillian