craftgrrl | I need help with SOLDERING stained glass! (Reply)

Hi craftgrrls! This is sugarmommaless posting via my new crafting journal.
I *desperately* need help with a craft. I think I’m in over my head. I decided to make some soldered glass pendants, cause they look really simple and gorgeous, but they are not nearly as easy to make as I thought they’d be. I’ve already invested in all the supplies, so I INSIST on mastering this little craft so I can give them as holiday presents this year as I had planned.

So... I’m asking for some expert opinions.
Here is what I am trying to make. This is a pendant that I bought at a craft fair.

It is about 1” wide by 1.5”tall, with a little jump ring soldered to the top of it so you can hang it as a pendant. It’s basically a little sandwich of 2 squared of stained glass with a piece of paper in between. You can wear them as necklace pendant, but I think they’d also make good tree ornaments and key rings.

Here is a similar product that I found on the net.
http://www.weeladstudio.com/Charming2.htm

And here... (drumroll please) is my horrible first attempt at making one.

And my second.

And here is my third piece, which is all ready for the solder. I have not yet soldered this one, cause I’ve just about given up hope..

So... My main question is: how do I get the solder smooth? I bought lead-free solder, and I am using a real stained-glass soldering iron. And I’m using stained-glass flux. But… the solder isn’t behaving itself like I think it should. It’s sizzling, and crawling around, and sometimes it just doesn’t melt at all. Actually, a lot of the time it just doesn’t melt at all. I’m starting to think that it may be my soldering iron. Or maybe it’s the lead-free solder? The people at the stained glass shop seemed to think that I was on crack for wanting to buy lead-free solder. But I insisted on it cause it’s for jewellery and I don’t want lead poisoning.

So... Can anyone see my problem? Do you have tips for me?? I’m super frustrated about the non-melting problem. I’ve already invested like 100$ in this craft, so I refuse to give up!
Please help!!!!