Crafting Beauty with Glass and Lead-Free SolderWhen you think of stained glass, your mind may conjure up images of grand cathedral windows glowing with sunlight or intricate home decor dangling from someone's kitchen window. At Ledbelly, we have turned the ancient art of stained glass into delicate, wearable treasures with an all new modern, eco-conscious twist! Traditionally, stained glass artists have used lead-based solder to join pieces of glass together. While effective, lead-based solder poses health risks, especially when inhaled as fumes during the soldering process. The concern is heightened in jewelry since it is often worn close to the skin, and prolonged exposure to lead could have detrimental effects. Crafting stained glass jewelry with lead-free solder is a precise and skillful art. Today, we’re excited to share a step-by-step guide to how Ledbelly transforms stained glass designs into safe and stunning creations: 1. Stained Glass Selection and Design: The first step in creating stained glass jewelry is selecting the glass. Jewelry pieces typically use small, colorful shards of glass, often in shapes like teardrops, ovals, or squares. The colors and textures of the glass are what make each piece unique. At Ledbelly we choose glass with varying levels of opacity, from transparent to frosted to textured. 2. Cutting the Stained GlassOnce the design is decided, we use a glass cutter to carefully cut the glass into the desired shapes. Precision is key here, as even the slightest imperfection can affect the finished piece. Once the glass is cut, we use a stained glass grinding machine to smooth rough edges for a cleaner, more professional look. 3. Copper FoilingWe use the copper foiling method for some our our pieces. Each glass piece is meticulously wrapped with copper foil tape along its edges; a process that can leave us feeling cross-eyed at times due to the precision required. However, copper foiling provides a surface for the solder to adhere to and creates a more delicate look. 4. Soldering the GlassOnce the glass pieces are arranged, we use a Weller soldering iron to melt lead-free solder. With the help of flux, the solder is carefully applied to the copper tape or glass edges, securing the pieces together. Soldering demands a steady hand and practice to ensure the solder is applied evenly and cleanly. This is the most challenging step in the stained glass process and due to the intricate details, each piece is truly unique. The solder will always have natural curves and or slight imperfections in the solder work adding to its character. The end result is a piece that is not only sturdy but also gleaming, with the solder lines adding an element of texture and contrast. 5. Finishing TouchesAfter soldering is complete, the stained glass is carefully cleaned to remove any excess flux or solder residue. It is then polished to enhance its natural shine and fitted with a jump ring for use as a pendant or earring hooks. A final inspection ensures every detail is in perfect condition before the jewelry is deemed ready to wear. Final ThoughtsWe exclusively use lead-free solder in our stained glass jewelry, allowing it to be worn with confidence, knowing it was crafted with care for both the environment and the wearer. For those seeking a truly unique and meaningful accessory, stained glass jewelry made with lead-free solder is a stunning choice that reflects both creativity and conscience. Each piece is designed with a modern vintage aesthetic, versatile enough to complement any outfit. Visit our shop on Etsy to explore more!
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"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" The mirror, instead of complimenting my flawless beauty, simply blinked at me, its surface a confused blur. "Uh, mirror?" I squinted ever so closely, "You're supposed to tell me I'm the fairest!" The mirror, seemingly fed up with my vanity spoke with a gruff baritone voice. "Look, lady, I'm just a piece of glass made into a pendant but you have something in your teeth!" Introducing our stunning Mirror Necklace, a handcrafted piece that adds a touch of elegance and intrigue to any outfit. This necklace features a beautifully crafted mirror, set within a delicate frame. Whether you're dressing up for a special occasion or adding a unique touch to your everyday look, the Mirror Necklace is sure to make a statement. And let's be honest, it's also a lifesaver for those quick checks to make sure you don't have any unwanted surprises on your teeth or anywhere around your face! This delicate pendant features a unique glass mirror that reflects light beautifully, catching the eye with its shimmering surface. The mirror is suspended from a simple yet elegant chain, creating a minimalist yet striking look. The pendant's reflective quality adds a touch of intrigue and mystery, making it a captivating accessory. The glass is designed using copper foil, soldered in place, and attached to a stainless steel chain. While most glass is soldered with 60% tin and 40% lead, this piece is made with a lead-free alloy. Overall, a beautiful necklace made with love by owner and operator of Ledbelly, Melinda Ledbetter. The pendant measures 1" in diameter and the chain is 28" in length. The chain is attached to soldered jump rings and a lobster clasp. And it is made long enough to take a quick look at yourself as needed. Take a peek behind the scenes or visit us at Etsy to learn more about this versatile, vintage style necklace! Embrace the magic of self-reflection with our Mirror Necklace. It's more than just a piece of jewelry; it's a reminder to look within, embrace your inner beauty, and never stop shining. Order yours today and discover the magic for yourself! Oh, Hi There!As some of you know, I have been repurposing vintage jewelry for several years but through practice, I found that some pieces are just too delicate or I felt they needed to keep their charm and originality. Taking all this into account, I have been spending countless hours, days, and nights thinking about how I could create strong and one of a kind vintage pieces. If you have been following Ledbelly, you might have seen this deranged transition over time as I am constantly beating my head about what to do next and how. What keeps inspiring me?The love and support from my family and friends. I am a full-time Director of Personal Finance and everyone's reaction toward working in finance vs. Ledbelly is pronounced. Everyone knows that I find much joy in designing and making jewelry. With your guidance, I will continue to take the time and opportunity to do exactly what I love.
Whiting and Davis are a favorite among collectors, and Ledbelly has a great and vast array of vintage bags and jewelry to choose from. This beautiful mesh clutch is from the 1970's, which marked the 100th year anniversary for the company. They released many new lines and did many collaborations with companies such as Vogue. That decade was huge for Whiting and Davis. It was the start of the disco age, so gleaming clothing and accessories were all the rage. Their patent mesh was perfect for the glitz and glam of the era. A resurgence of enthusiasm both for and from the company bag begun and new innovations and styles emerged. Gorgeous halter tops and gowns caught the light splendidly on the dance floors. Extravagant clothing needed to have extravagant accessories as well, as seen in this beautiful sparkly Whiting and Davis mesh clutch. The size would also make it perfect for a cute makeup bag!
The 1920's was an extremely important decade when it comes to women's fashion. The previous decade was experimental and acted as a transition into the revolutionary Roaring Twenties. Women challenged societal norms by playing with hemlines, cutting their long hair, and most importantly fighting for their rights. They no longer hid behind layers of cotton and lace. They no longer had to be frail and dainty, and neither did their fashion choices. They could now wear daring colors and bold silhouettes. The emergence of Art Deco had an amazing impact on the jewelry industry. Art Deco was heavily influenced by culture and exploration, including avante-garde and African art and culture, most notably the discovery of King Tutankhamen's lavish tomb in 1922. Bold and contrasting colors took over fashion and images depicting hieroglyphs and other Egyptian imagery were seen often. Geometric shapes and clean lines became the norm in both jewelry and architecture. This new stylistic convention can be seen in this beautiful necklace. The pendant, which was once a dress clip, has now been repurposed into a piece more appropriate and practical for modern wear. It features the crisp lines and symmetry that mark 20's fashion. It is absolutely gorgeous and features three red rhinestones as its central focus. It is subtle enough to wear to work yet still bold enough for the night out. It would be a wonderful and unique piece to add to your collection.
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follow us:Author"Ledbelly" is a unique spelling of the nickname given to the famous folk and blues singer, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter. The surname is a common thread of Huddie and owner, Melinda Ledbetter. Getting Married?Download the Magic Bridal Booklet - a wedding planning guide in PDF format. Print or type directly in the planner from your computer!
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