Why a New Year’s Crown? Because when you think about it, every day is the start of a new year. You can add in or cut out whatever you want at any time (or make a plan to get the process rolling). Once you realize the power you have to make and act on your choices, you’ll find opportunities will come your way.
This New Year’s Crown is all about that way of thinking. Be the queen of your destiny!
I thought this would be a strong way to start off a new year as a Bernzomatic Torchbearer project – a little heat to get us moving!
You can make this crown and set it where you can see it every day to remind you of better days ahead. The materials used serve as a metaphor for life – it’s made from metal and the crystal trim is soldered together to withstand turbulence, falls, rocky roads. No matter what happens, your crown must stay intact and the sparkle will keep shining!
I used a mini-silver shadow box as the centerpiece because it has a little slot at the top to slide in a picture. If you can find something like this it would be great because you can incorporate a goal and make it the focal point. I found all of the supplies at Hobby Lobby, except for the soldering iron and torch, those you can find at The Home Depot.
To make this crown, I used my Bernzomatic tools, copper tape, and flux for the soldering to make it all come together!
A lot of people think torches are only for plumbers, welders, etc. And mini-torches are only for chefs. Actually, there is a LOT you can do with a mini torch! All kinds of crafts, jewelry making and more. This one is my fave, the ST500. It works as a soldering iron, or remove the tip and it can be a micro torch or a mini heat gun.
SUPPLIES for a New Year’s Crown:
Bernzomatic ST500: 3 in 1 Micro Torch
Bernzomatic Lead-Free Solder Wire & Flux
Gloves and goggles
Copper tape
Clamps
Heat-resistant surface
Metal ribbon with holes
Scissors
Pronged crystal trim
Lace
Jump rings and charms
Here is the scoop on soldering metals: Even though we’re using “metal ribbon” doesn’t mean they can be soldered together. I found these are likely made of aluminum, so I used copper tape to wrap the joints for soldering. It takes a lot of patience, but it’s worth it because this is what will make your crown nice and sturdy!
Directions:
First, you want to measure the base of your crown and use dollar store scissors to cut. Bring the ends together and wrap the copper tape through the holes. Make sure to burnish the tape so it is flush with the surface.
Coat lightly with Bernzomatic flux. Follow the package directions to light your solder iron or micro torch. Make sure you are wearing gloves and goggles! Carefully place the solder wire to the iron and heat, then drop it on the surface of the copper tape and let it glide. Do this on both sides so you completely cover the copper tape.
Once you have the base secured, build the front of the crown. I used another piece of the metal ribbon, a smaller design and again, feeding the copper tape through the holes, I connected the pieces, added flux and soldered.
I did the same with the pronged crystal trim.
Add jump rings ( use needlenose pliers) to connect your charms. Add lace as a lining to give it more texture. There are a lot of ways you can go with this! As you can see below – I had a gazillion ideas!
That’s the best part about creating something new, mix and match ideas until you come up with something you really love!
And here is some inspiration from my friend Silvia from MasMasa!
From the Bernzomatic site:
“Find Your Fire. There’s a fire in each of us. Waiting to ignite. We believe in carrying the torch ignited by our founder in 1876—whose quality craftsmanship and progressive mindset are what blazed the trail that got us here today. We believe in awakening the innovators in all of us—inspiring a culture of creators who can break boundaries, mark new territory and go where no flame has burned before. We believe in empowering those who’ve found their flame and dare to follow it. Because the ones who do are the catalysts of bold transformations that redefine the limits of what we can achieve. We believe in our fire and in your fire. It’s time to ignite.”
Thanks so much for checking out my project!
This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Bernzomatic. All ideas, opinions, and the excitement to work with this new art genre are 100% my own.
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