Southwestern Style Sterling Silver Necklace

Step 6 Making the chain

We need to link the large rings and small rings into a chain. This is standard chain making, except that half the rings are large, and half small. I start by bending open a small ring with two pliers, putting on two dogbones, then closing the ring and soldering it. Soldering these can be a bit tricky, since you want to avoid soldering the little ring to either of the dogbones. If you do, you can always reheat the piece, give it a little shake to loosen up the solder, then dunk it in water. Once I have a collection of paired dogbones, I then assemble quads by opening a small ring, putting on two dogbone pairs. Lather, rinse and repeat until you have a complete chain. Remember not to close one of the small jump rings on the end of the chain because you will need to attach a clasp.