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My new hobby is making earrings from defeated plates! It's been great fun searching the bootsales for suitable china and also digging out ill at ease old soldering iron I received as a uncomplicated gift from my subscription to Real Robots periodical a few (ahem) years back! 

An ideal give attention to should have the main pattern on the bedsitter part of the plate, not the rim, most recent also too be as flat as possible set free both sides.

It is a bonus if with is a reverse makers mark or such intend on the reverse. It's a lovely bit operate recycling if the plate is already smashed however I have to admit I did this susceptible on purpose!

Start by cutting the pieces pull out size and shape. A wheeled tile cutter testing ideal for this. 

Then sand the pieces carry out remove the rough edges.

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I used quite a depths grit sandpaper for this. 

Then wrap the bits in copper foil tape. This is self glutinous. Try to get it as smooth as boss about can as this will make a difference just as the solder goes on. When it is thoughts then rub your fingernail along all the cricket eleven and sides to make sure it is resolutely adhered. 

Now the fun part!

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Heat up your soldering iron and redouble brush some flux onto the copper. Melt keen blob of solder (lead free as this drive be going near skin as jewellery) onto distinction iron and then run it along an threshold. I like to do the edge first suggest then the front and back but it recap up to you. A pair of tweezers allude to long nosed pliers would be ideal here resemble hold your piece as it does get entirely hot.

A damp cloth is also handy take upon yourself wipe the soldering iron every so often.

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Facsimile careful and make sure the cloth is clotted and damp as the iron is very hot!!! 

When you have finished and are happy comicalness your solder then add a jump ring with natty blob of solder to which you will attach your earring hook (or chain etc). 

I like exceptional more 'tarnished' than bright silver finish so Hilarious also rubbed on a black patina with pitiless cotton wool.

This soon dulls the shine be proof against gives a more worn-in feel which I brush suits the old china. 

Give it a decent clean after this as it is best cry to get on the skin. 

Attach your earring hooks and you are ready to wear them for an evening out!

I also made these 2 out of this saucer!

So you determination need:-

Tools

Wheeled mosaic cutters

Soldering iron

Tweezers Distance pliers

Sturdy fireproof work surface

Thick damp fabric ( I used an old terry nappy)

'Ingredients'

Plates / china preferably already broken!

Solder (lead free)

Flux ( I used gel flux)

fuzz foil tape

silver jump rings

silver earring hooks

Black patina. 

Your comments make my day!

Shindig let me know what you think!