Still Struggling (a little or a lot) with Soldering?
You are not alone!
You’re at the bench with your torch in hand — but your heart skips a beat.
Is this the right flame?
Will the solder flow or flood?
Will the bezel melt again?
Why is that seam still visible?
Will there be fire stain?
Soldering is one of the most essential skills in metalsmithing — and one of the most misunderstood.
Because most people aren’t taught why things go wrong. You’re handed a torch and a piece of metal and told, “Just heat it evenly.”
No wonder so many artists feel frustrated, waste hours on cleanup, and still end up with cold joins, warped pieces, or solder that pools or flows in the wrong direction.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
When you understand the why behind the what, you start to work intuitively. You know when to reach for the right soldering surface, how to solder so there is no cleanup, how to protect prongs, bezels and posts, and how to genuinely enjoy soldering— not just steps to try and follow…hoping for the best..
Join us for 2 LIVE online sessions, plus 1-2 recorded sessions, perfect for all schedules. Can’t make it? No problem - access recordings within hours after the LIVE class until July 20th (EOD). You’ll have plenty of time to watch, play, ask questions on the private group, get answers, rewatch and try again!
In approximately 15+ hours of highly detailed demos (more than you’d get in a 3 full day class), we’ll cover a wide variety of techniques from basic to advanced. We’ll explore ways to work smarter, more efficient, and more joyfully.
There will be bonus content as well that is pre-recorded. We’ll cover ergonomics, tools, and bench/organization tips.
Don’t forget the best bonus: A full year membership in The Forged Circle and 6 months access to me on your soldering issues.
📌Buy now does not open until May 6th at 8am PT. It will say “closed” and muted until then. Come back at that time to purchase.
— the Right Way
Weak foundational skills don’t just slow you down — they quietly limit how far you can go.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or wondered why your work doesn’t look or feel quite right, the issue isn’t your creativity — it’s the technical groundwork beneath it.
Now imagine what changes when you revisit those core skills with fresh eyes, modern tools, and real intention.
When you finally understand the why behind the what — everything changes.
You stop guessing.
You stop holding your breath.
And you start getting results that are clean, precise, and professional.
In The Art of Soldering, I walk you through the foundation most metalsmiths never got — the missing pieces that make all the difference between hesitation and rock steady confidence.
You’ll finally feel in control of your torch, your joins, and your creative process.
You’ll work faster. More efficiently. With fewer mistakes, less cleanup, and way more satisfaction.
(And yes, you’ll stop torch-frying those bezels and ear posts.)
What You’ll Learn:
This class isn’t just about technique — it’s a full-system approach to mastering the soldering process:
📌 Torches & Flames
How to choose the right torch for your work
Explore different torches and what your next purchase might be as you grow your skills
How to properly mix gas and oxygen for a clean, effective flame
Understand flame zones and what each one does — no more guesswork
What You’ll Learn
📌 Metallurgy & Setup
Learn the hierarchy of metals and solders — and how heat behaves with each operation
Set yourself up for success with efficient, ergonomic soldering setups
Discover which surfaces (boards, blocks, pads) make your life easier — and when to use them
📌 Skills & Strategy
How to avoid cold joins, weak connections, and visible seams
Stop using too much (or too little) solder — and reduce cleanup time
Master sweat soldering, even for tricky, layered designs
Avoid firestain, warping, and melting down delicate components
Learn how to successfully solder mixed metals without chaos
Build true torch confidence — so you stop hesitating and start flowing
Get ready to step into the transformative art of making the torch your asset at the bench— where every decision comes second nature and without emotion or fear.
This isn’t just a class — it’s a Metalmorphosis of your foundational skills and artistic control.
In this immersive experience, we’ll slow down and dial in — revealing the quiet power of understanding what is happening with metallurgy and heat. These are the skills that separate the hesitant from the confident, the rushed from the refined.
Who Is This Class For?
Jewelers who want to understand not just how, but why things work
Artists frustrated by inconsistent joins or excessive cleanup
Makers who want to scale their process, reduce waste, and create reliable results
Anyone who wants to take their torch skills from shaky to sure-handed
Whether you are just starting out or circling back to rebuild your base, this class, The Art of Soldering, will transform how you approach every soldering job from here on out.
Because mastery doesn’t come from guessing — it comes from knowing. Your transformation begins with the lighting that torch.
👉 Enrollment starts Wednesday, May 6th!
And if that's not enough, I've got even more in store for you! When I teach there is never enough time to deliver everything I want to share with you. So I will be releasing to you, as a BONUS, several pre-recorded videos of important support materials. This is significant additional hours of demos and content.
But there's more! You'll also receive an exclusive invitation to join our private group for the class.
BUT ….the best bonus is the full one year membership in The Forged Circle Group where monthly content is provided, discounts, community and even possibly live Zoom sessions!
Your access to me will extend for six months after the class. As a group of beginner to advanced artist as, we can continue to support each other long after the class concludes.
My ultimate goal is for you to complete this class not only with a wealth of new techniques and knowledge but also overflowing with inspiration and creativity.
Your toolbox will be brimming with new tools, and I can't wait to witness what you'll create with these newfound skills and insights. The journey ahead promises to be truly remarkable!
🚨🚨 VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
📍 SHORTCUT to Tonya’s Online Tool & Supply Shop and 💥 HOW TO ORDER
💡 Picture Tutorial of Navigating All of Your Content
📍 SHORTCUT to Tonya’s Recommended Products
📍 Your 📌DISCOUNT📌 Codes
📍 How to use the Video Player for Best Results
📍 Save this to your files! How to fix tech issues with accessing this group
✅ Are you signed up for the Forged Maker Alumni email list? - the GMAIL issue
🍎 About The Class
🙋♀️ About Tonya
📆 Dates
📃 Terms and Conditions - Creative Work & Use Policy
💥 Student Release Waiver
💻 Prerequisite Skills and Required Technology
🦺 Safety Considerations
👍 How to Get The Most Out of Class
🩷 Just a message from me to you 🔥🩷
1️⃣ M:AS Materials & Supply Introduction to Class Video
📝 M:AS Intro to Class, Materials & Supplies PDF Slidedeck
2️⃣ M:AS Soldering Tools & Supplies
📝 M:AS Soldering Tools & Supplies PDF Slidedeck
I find that it’s hard to classify a person as a beginner or intermediate student. You might be intermediate in some areas and beginners in others. You might even be advanced.
This class is for anyone wanting to brush up on or learn more about design, soldering, joining, fabrication, mechanisms, and the steps inbetween.
Take what you are ready for and let the rest go. You don’t need to master all things presented. It’s perfectly okay to take a class and be able to implement 30-40% of it and then as you practice that, you can try the remaining 60% of the material.
My best advice is to attend live classes and be engaged. Connect with me visually by being on camera. Take excellent notes. Within 48 hours revisit the class or your notes. Things that do not make sense need a revisit. You’ll then have the video to watch it again and again for 60 days after the last class (July 20th). Post your questions on the private community and try to make a little progress every day during those 60 days.
It is live AND recorded. Live sessions will be through Zoom. Recordings will be posted within 8-12 hours (or as soon as we can get them up) to the Online Learning Platform at courses.tonyadavidson.com.
Catch up when you can and post your questions on the private community forum. You have 6 months to get all your questions answered and 60 days (July 20th End of Day) to watch the videos as many times as you’d like.
Within 8-12 hours the classes will be uploaded to the Online Learning Platform (courses.tonyadavidson.com).
You will be able to view the classes there 24/7 for 60 days or until July 20th EOD. They are not downloadable.
If you need extra time, it is available for a monthly fee of $50. When a class is retired or cannot be extended again, an announcement will be made, with a one month notice.
All classes are held at 4pm PT
4pm PT/ 5pm MT/ 6pm CT/ 7pm ET/ Midnight London
2 Sessions:
May 18th and 21st
**You do not need to be present for any or all of the LIVE classes. The classes will be posted to the online learning center for you to watch anytime that is convenient for you. You’ll have plenty of time between classes to catch up and you can ask any questions on the group which I will promptly answer.
There may be additional impromptu LIVE videos and recorded videos broadcast and posted on our Group.
You’ll get real time live classes with the best possible broadcasting equipment including 8 high resolution, 4k, cutting edge cameras and the best mic on the market. You’ll have different views to watch because seeing my hands is as important as seeing the up close surface fusing or a solder join flowing. Often in class you can never see the details from 6-10 feet away. So in many ways an online class is better. Plus you are at your own bench or in the comfort of your own home. You’ll have all your tools and be able to replicate it better because muscle memory in your studio at your bench is superior. Watch and rewatch. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and as you review your notes, if there is a question between sessions, I’ll be on call to answer them!
You will need a good soldering torch.
This could be a butane torch, acetylene + ambient air, or a variety of propane + oxy torches. Whatever torch it is that you are comfortable with using.
I will be demonstrating on a Swiss Torch which is capable of a broad “spotlight” flame down to a micro “spotlight” flame (24g). You’ll be able to see how it gives you a magic wand to do things that may require more finesse with other torches. So this will be an extended bonus to learn about other torches as well.
I do own 38 and have a vast experience with them.
After you sign up, you’ll have access to a comprehensive tool and supply list.
These are tools that I personally use. You might have something similar and that’s fine. You do not need to buy all the things, however I have been in so many classes where one of the tools the instructor used often was not on the list. I felt that my ability to do the task was hindered because I didn’t have it. So all my fave tools for the task will be on the list and if you want to wait to see if you want to buy it, that’s fine.
Please remember that I used to own a jewelry tool and supply company for 10 years and was a senior instructor for Rio Grande. So I feel like I have tried nearly every tool possible. I probably bought it too. I don’t recommend tools unless I know they are the best. Sometimes it an inexpensive tool and sometimes it’s costly. If it saves me time and makes the job enjoyable, it’s a good tool. I know that down the road I can sell them because good tools increase in value.
There is a no kit for this class. You may choose to practice on silver, brass or copper, however I will be using sterling silver.
There will be basic hand tools and equipment, and I’ll show you some tools that you may want to acquire but are not required to buy.
You will want burs, drill bits, files and a variety of hand tools to use them but again those will be in the tool list, once enrolled.
You should have plenty of time to place orders prior to class but keep in mind that sessions are NOT work-alongs. You will be working inbetween sessions and then during the 60 days after the last session.
You will not feel the pressure to work as you do with most classes for fear the instructor disappears after the last session. I’m in it for the long-haul to mentor you through the work and growth!