New year, new techniques. A little practice and some research has given me a new lease of life in the soldering department:
- using a nest of binding wire to support the work
- borax and solid solder
- soaking in vinegar/scrubbing with salt+vinegar to remove discolouration and detritus
- new neat, nifty and lightweight torch

I really love this fossil and silver ring, and intend to remake it incorporating the lessons I've learned. The wire was hard or half-hard, which made it nigh impossible to shape the prongs without distorting the ring. Next time, I'll anneal and hold the work better from the start. All this struggling resulted in the prongs being rather distorted, and the ring not having the alignment and neatness I would like.

I love the delicacy of the piece though, and it constantly catches my eye on my left index finger. Pity I couldn't get a picture to do it justice.

*is very pleased*

Now, I have a few more plans for soldering practice... *plots*