Torched solder wire charms

This torched solder wire charms has to be one of my all-time favorite posts!

I used a micro torch to make these amazing lead-free solder wire stamped hearts! The texture and depth of the design is fabulous. I actually featured the process on Snapchat and had several people respond with OMG I WANT TO DO THAT! Remember when I made these torched and stamped pendants? This is the same concept except I used the Bernzomatic solder wire as my base. It worked beautifully!

Here’s the video tutorial I made, but I have picture step outs as well!

Supplies for torched solder wire charms:

A mini-torch

Lead Free, General Purpose/Plumbing Solder Wire

12×12 ceramic tile

Decorative rubber stamps (attached to wood block, not cling stamp!)

Bowl of water

Tweezers

Most important: GLOVES & GOGGLES

Small rag

Sharpie marker or black craft paint

Also – the adorable rose-trimmed pewter charm is from ImpressArt.com, you can find it here!

Let’s get started!

Cut two pieces of the solder wire into equal lengths and use the pliers to form each one into the half of a heart. Place them on your tile or fire brick. I’m using an extra kiln shelf that I have. Prepare a small bowl of water and set it to the side. Put on the gloves and goggles. Read the directions on the torch packaging to ignite the flame. Basically you will move the flame length button the center, then flip the safety lock and press the tool on. You’ll hear a loud hiss, that means the it’s on, if you only hear a soft hiss, you need to restart again because that means the flame didn’t ignite, it’s just burning propane.

Move the torch evenly across the heart, about 6-8 inches away. Keep going over it evenly until you see the wire bubble up.

Remove your finger from the torch so it turns off and quickly place the stamp on top of the heart. You have to work really fast and press hard and evenly. It may take a couple times of practice.

Remove the stamp and use your tweezers to pick up the heart and quench it in the bowl of water. Remove and let dry, then rub with a polishing cloth to remove any burnt residue.

Coat with black paint and wipe off, so the paint settles in the stamped grooves.

You’ll end up with something like this! Isn’t it cool looking? For this one on the right, I didn’t stamp it, I just melted the pieces, it still looks nice.