If you want to join multiple pieces of silver together, soldering is typically the easiest home method. It still requires quite a bit of preparation, and the following materials:  Use a "medium" or "hard" silver solder made from silver alloy, not standard solder. Avoid solder containing cadmium unless you have a respirator. A small oxy-acetylene or butane torch, preferably with a flat "chisel tip." Any brazing or soldering flux labeled as suitable for silver. Copper tongs and tweezers (of any metal) for handling the silver. A "pickle" solution for soldering, heated according to label instructions before you begin. You'll need a well-ventilated room and a heat-resistant work table, plus a heat brick to work on. Goggles are essential for detail work, to protect yourself from spatter during close inspection. Gloves, a denim or leather apron and tight-fitting, non-synthetic clothing are good additional precautions. You'll need a container of water anyway to rinse the jewelry, but a fire extinguisher doesn't hurt if you are working in a room with flammable materials. If the silver is greasy or has been heavily handled, rub on a degreasing solution. Dip in the pickle solution if the silver is black from oxidization. Once clean, brush the flux onto the silver, over the areas to be joined. Powdered flux must be mixed into a paste or liquid form first. Check the instructions for details. . If you have never soldered anything before, this in-depth guide may help. Alternatively, you can follow these quick steps:  Position the objects carefully on the heat brick, then apply a chip of solder (or a dab of solder paste) with tweezers. Heat from about 4 inches (10 cm) away, focusing on the thicker piece of silver. Do not heat solder directly. Hold thin pieces of silver with tweezers to prevent melting. Once the solder has melted along the gap between the pieces, turn off the heat and wait a minute or two for the solder to solidify. Use your copper tongs to dip the silver first into the water bath, then into the pickle solution to remove oxidization created during soldering. Rinse a final time in water, then pat dry.  Avoid putting the pickle in contact with skin and clothes, as it can be corrosive. Non-copper tongs may react with the pickle, corroding the metal. If you prefer the look of "aged" silver, you can skip the pickle. These are best added to jewelry with a two-part epoxy glue. Solder a silver "bezel cup" to the jewelry, sand the walls down if necessary with coarse sandpaper, then glue in the stone and let dry as instructed by the epoxy label.

Summary: Gather materials. Set up a safe work area. Clean and apply flux. Solder the silver Rinse, pickle, and rinse again. Add gemstone or glass (optional).


Some companies do not want to deal with hard copy resumes, and will specifically request email or other submission. If the job ad is not specific, feel free to ask for clarification. For jobs that aren't specific about email or online only, feel free to mail your resume in anyway. It can be a concrete way to demonstrate your interest in the position beyond simply submitting your application and help you stand out in the crowd. Just make sure you definitely apply as the company requests. In some cases, the correct name will be in the job ad, or readily available on the company's website. Not only with your resume get in the hands of someone who will actually be able to act on it, it will also demonstrate that you took the time to research the business and know something about it.  If the name is not easily available, a little sleuthing can track it down. An online search using the company's name and department you want to work in may find it. Additionally, calling the company's main line and asking the receptionist for the name of the manager who oversees the department you are applying to can get it.  Social networks, especially business-related ones like LinkedIn, are also a good way to track down people in certain businesses. You may not get the hiring manager specifically, but find someone who does. Do not address the envelope to an unnamed "Whom it may concern" or "Person who does the hiring." Your resume may not get through to where it needs to be, and it looks like you did not attempt to learn anything about the company. Companies may have multiple addresses associated with them, including a mail address, street address, or addresses for different branches and facilities. Make sure you have the correct mailing address before starting your envelope. This address may be on the job ad, or should be available on the company's website. If you are still unsure, call the company and ask.

Summary: Follow employer instructions. Get the correct name for the hiring manager. Get the correct mailing address.


Take your sweater and place it on a flat surface.  Make sure there are no bumps or wrinkles. Use a wooden or plastic hanger as these are more gentle on clothes. Place your hanger on top of your sweater, with the hanger hook facing down from the armpit. Use only flat hangers.
Summary: Lay out your sweater. Grab a hanger.