Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Soldering... A Beginner's Tale

As I was blog surfing, I came upon a blog of a new found friend, Joanna, who will also be attending Silver Bella. I met Joanna for the first time at Heather's soldering class a little over a week ago. Joanna blogged about her experience and posted pictures of class (she was a good little girl, and remembered her camera). I hadn't given it much thought to blog about my experience because I didn't know anything about soldering (except what I learned that day). So it occured to me that, duh, you don't have to know everything about something to blog about it! And it was a milestone for me, so by golly, I'm gonna blog about it!

I say a milestone, because soldering is something I've been wanting to learn more about for a really long time. I will be taking a class at Silver Bella with the Queen of Solder, Sally Jean in November. And it's not the Soldering for Virgin's class... I am dying to dive in to her Partridge in a Pear Tree class, which requires at least a basic knowledge of soldering.

So, that beautiful Saturday at Heather's home, I had a great time learning the basics. Met some wonderful ladies, and was thrilled to find Heather is a wonderful teacher. She told us all she knew to get us started, answered numerous questions, and had lemonade and lemon-frosted cookies to boot! (Oh they were yummy- and I won't tell your secret, Heather!) And now, I think I am hooked... a new found love for another craft. Yes, my efforts were very crude, to say the least, but that's okay. I am totally cool with that. Heather says, "Practice, practice, practice!". So that's what I'll have to do. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

The picture is of the FIRST charm I did. Rather rough, wouldn't you say? It really only got that way because I tried to go back and make it "smoother"...

Mistake #1, Lesson #1. Don't go back and "try and fix" what you call mistakes. It will only make them worse. (at least as a beginner) ;)

A new friend, Charlene, also found this out the hard way. Both of us found our second charm to be pretty acceptable (for just learning), so we both felt that we had a better grip to go back and "fix" the first one a bit.... Bad news. It ended up worse than it started. Oh well. We've learned our lesson, haven't we Charlene?
I cannot show my second one, as it is a gifty for a friend, whom I won't mention, because it's a surprise. (So ya know that it MUST have turned out better than this one!) ;)

Thanks for everything, Heather! I mean, who would buy their cookies at Walmart and ice them with a scrumptious homemade lemon icing? (Did I say secret? LOL!) They were delicious, and tasted every bit homemade! Big hugs to ya Heather! (and to your husband for putting up with us!) ;)

So if your in the DFW area, and want to learn the basics or more about soldering, taking a class from Heather is highly recommended!

Click on Heather's name to link to her blog...
Click on Joanna's name to link to her blog and see more pictures of class that day...

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I think your first charm is lovely! I don't mind it a little rough- and I LOVE butterflies (I collect dead or dying ones and display them in small boxes around my studio). You have a wonderful blog. I will visit again!

Heidi said...

Your blog is beautiful! And I love the name! So now I am nervous about the soldering class at SB because I am also in the Partridge class and do not know how to solder yet! Wish I still lived in DFW....it seems if half of the SB girls live there! Thanks for coming by my blog for the give-away! Looking forward to meet you at Silver Bella! I better get out my iron and practice!
:)Heidi

Anonymous said...

You did an awesome job!!! I have been thinking about doing one of Heather's classes! Thanks for sharing!

Michele said...

Hi Shannon! Stopping by to say "hi"...I am your partner for the SB Wand Swap...I love your answers to the questions and my mind is already buzzing with ideas for you...so fun!!! See you soon!
Bella regards,
Michele :)

MARIA'S FUNKY TREASURES said...

Hey I think you did a great job. My husband and I self taught our selfs and are still practicing. I work with all kind of items even stained glass soldering can lead threw so many doors Have fun with it!!

PS I have been praying for Texas too.

Tina(Taken over by her daughter, Nicole) said...

Looks like you are on your way to soldering! Wait till you try a ROUND one at Paper Cowgirl!! Can't wait to see ya in a couple of weeks!

Kara Ward said...

You did a terrific job...I love the butterfly charm. I hope you wear it at Silverbella so I will recognize you! Kara