Nature's Window Pressed Flower Frame Project Guide

Description

Project Tip:

• Before you begin, find a place to work that has great ventilation where you can open a window and use a fan.

• An area safe from children and pets is recommended.

• The less you move an unfinished project, the less likely you are to have damage.

Instructions:

1. Cut out Square template provided to you. Trace square with a sharpie marker on two separate sheets of glass.
2. Using your glass cutter, proceed to score glass tracing the sharpie marker shape you copied from template. Make sure you score inside line and not outside line. If you trace outside the line your project will turn out bigger than intended.
3. Break out the score lines with running pliers.
4. You should now have 2 squares. If you have jagged edges, use a glass grinder to smooth out. Make sure both squares are the exact same size and match perfectly. This needs to be done in order to foil both pieces together.
5. Make sure glass is clean and free of grease and debris. This helps the copper foil adhere to glass better.
6. Next, you need to add copper foil bordering the outside edge of the glossy smooth side of the glass. You are creating a frame for the glass. (Figure 1). Use an Xacto Knife to trim the copper foil to make an even border around the glass. Do this to both pieces of glass.
7. Select the pressed flower you wish to sandwich in between the two pieces of glass. Make sure the flower is dry and free of moisture. It is best to use pressed flowers that have been dried out for at least a week.
8. Make sure the glossy side of the glass is facing outward (the side with the copper foil boarder), and the rough back of the glass is sandwich in the flower.
9. Once glass and flower are perfectly assembled, apply copper foil along the outer edge (Figure 2). Apply pressure down with thumb to hold down the starting point of copper foil. Don’t pull too hard when wrapping foil around glass. You risk breaking foil and you want one smooth strip all the way around. Depending
10. Cut with sheers once the two ends meet and press down.
11. Using a fid, smooth down copper foil until all edges and bubbles a fully flattened. The flatter the copper foil, the better it will not raise when applying solder.
12.   Plug in your soldering iron. WARNING: No drinking, eating or smoking while handling lead solder! Pregnant or nursing woman should avoid all lead solder. Open window and turn on fan when soldering.
13.  Use a fire-resistant surface on which to solder. A homosote board works well and can be purchased at your local building supply store.
14.  Apply a small amount of flux with a brush to your foiled seams. Apply only to areas you will be able to work in 10 minutes. Solder will not properly adhere to glass without foil and flux.
15.  Pull out about 9 inches of solder from the spool, do not cut.
16.  Place the hot soldering iron tip on the seam you want to solder. Use the narrow edge as opposed to the flat edge, as this helps to raise the solder bead. Now that the tip is on the foil, place the solder from the spool about ½” up from the end of the tip. Gently push the solder into the tip, as you move the tip along the seam. Let up on the amount of solder when you come to the end of the seam. Now wipe your tip and put the iron back into the iron stand. TIP: Use a handy tool or heat resistant gloves to hold the frame your working on without burning your fingers from the heat of the solder.
17. Do not leave the soldering iron in one place too long; this can crack the glass, or the solder can “melt through.” This means the solder will liquefy and fall through the foil seam between the glass.
18. Solder the front, back and sides of your project, wherever foil is exposed. Then do a final solder bead. You will acquire this skill over time. All seams and outer areas should have a raised bead. Optional: to add a decorative touch, add small solder beads without smoothing to create a bump. Repeat along the outside boarder of the frame.
19. To apply a jump ring to the top of the pendant frame, apply flux to the spot where you want to connect the jump ring to. Also apply flux to the jump ring. Add a bead of solder to connect the two together. This is a very tricky part of the project, and not everyone’s favorite. With practice it gets simpler. Using a Handy Tool will help hold the jump ring for you while you solder.
20. When you have completed the soldering, let the glass cool completely. Spray a cloth with your vinegar solution and wipe the flux off the project. Clean your finished project with liquid soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and dry.
21. Connect the frame to 3.5” long chain and hang.

Perfect gift for any loved one.

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