Method 1: Soldered Charms

• 1). Make a silver loop just large enough to insert an earring post and have the loop dangle loosely from it. Do this by gripping the end of a piece of silver wire in the tips of your round-nosed pliers, then wrapping the wire around one half of the round-nose tips. Trim the excess wire.
  
  
• 2). Plug in, turn on and heat the soldering iron for three minutes (or whatever time the manufacturer recommends).
  
  
• 3). Grip the charm in one of the arms of the “helping hands” tool; this will secure it and protect your hands as the charm heats from the soldering. Hold the jump ring in the tip of the needle-nosed pliers.
  
  
• 4). Solder the loop to the back of the charm. Press the jump ring to the back of the charm, touching it but leaving enough space above to make room for the earring post. Touch the soldering iron to the solder to melt some solder onto the tip. Apply this to the jump ring and let the solder drip into place to create a joint between the two.
  
  
• 5). Repeat the soldering with the other charm.
  
  
• 6). Clean up the solder. Use the iron to smooth out the solder joint by running it lightly over the hardened solder, re-melting the top of it.
  
  

Method 2: Silver Clay

• 1). Pull about 1/2 teaspoon's worth of silver clay. Knead and work it in your hand to condition it. If it seems overly dry or crumbly, dip your fingers in water as you knead to work some extra moisture into it.
  
  
• 2). Form the clay into an oval. Shape the clay into a ball with a circular rolling motion on the top of your work station, then make the ball oblong by rolling it straight back and forth for a few strokes.
  
  
• 3). Form the oval into a teardrop shape by pinching the top. Flatten the teardrop by pinching it between your thumb and forefinger.
  
  
• 4). Wet your finger and rub it gently over the surface of the teardrop shape; the moisture will make it easy to imprint.
  
  
• 5). Lay the lace fabric over the teardrop shape and press it down into the clay to give it texture. Remove the lace by peeling it gently away.
  
  
• 6). Insert a stone cabochon gem into the round bottom of the tear drop shape. Make an impression of the bottom of the cabochon, then remove it for the firing process (since the stone will likely crack or discolor), leaving the impression in the clay in the right shape to add the cabochon later.
  
  
• 7). Create a hole in the top of the teardrop shape using a pin; this is where you will thread the earring.
  
  
• 8). Fire the clay according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
• 9). Glue the cabochon onto the metal clay teardrop once it has cooled. Position it in the impression you made in Step 6.