*Sally Jean the Soldering Queen*

Everything about "Sally Jean" the soldering queen is wonderful http://www.sallyjean.com/2008Website/AZ/Collection.html including her darling apron and little felt purse. She is a total package in my book....talented, smart, and an artist. The 3 classes I took from her were some of the best classes I have ever taken. I started with her Soldering 101 class. As many of you know, I have been soldering for 5 years but Sally Jean is the best. Her techniques show you how to make your charms smooth as butter. She teaches you angles, and soldering iron techniques. They made a world of difference in my charm making. In the 101 Class we created 3 charms and was given a necklace to put them on. Sally also included images for placing under the glass. A highlight of my class was learning a neat trick for adding on a jump ring. I like to call it the magic trick. It was magic how that jump ring hopped right on the charm. Oooh-the light bulb is glowing in my head.

If you don't have this book, I strongly recommend it. So many brilliant ideas. I want to frame mine...look-y an autograph. Sigh!

My first attempt with all the new techniques in my little brain....

Class 2-

The Partridge in a Pear tree

The class that almost killed me. Sally provided us with hand-cut glass and tin. Both were cut into a bird shape. She taught us how to collage like she does to create those amazing background that you see on her charms. WOW! It was so easy. Now the bird part-not so easy. I really thought this bird was going to peak me. The jagged tin and glass combination kept tearing my copper foil. I seriously wrapped it 7 times. Ali finally came to classes at the end and re wrapped the bird. I thought I was losing my mind. I probably was. The birds feet are tree branches wrapped in wire. Another amazing Sally Jean original. Lucky me.

Class 3

A Snow globe

This amazing charm was cut from a bottle. We wrapped and wrapped and soldered and soldered. We filled the bottle with pearls and charms. The doll is a Charlotte doll from Germany. That alone was worth the class. The old abandoned doll factories in Germany have hundreds of dolls buried on the grounds from 1860's - 1910. Today there are people who are now digging them up, as they have become very collectible and are getting harder and harder to find. The Frozen Charlotte's come from the Limbach doll factory. Sandy and I decided to put a crown on her of solder and a little word on her tummy before sealing the snow globe. I attached the snow globe to an old clip-on earring and then to a pearl necklace that I have had for awhile. I believe it came from Forever 21. Sally Jean also taught us how to make those cool soldering pearls to place on the outside of the snow globe. I have forever wanted to know how to do that. Every second in the class was amazing and now I have new jewelry to wear.