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start with the bible and then the rest is youtube. Prob want to learn gypsy settings for stones. Stamps you can get from harbor freight or Rio grande. Rio is your one stop shop really.
I think as long as you're wearing an N95 mask, you're probably fine? You could get a full blown vapor/particulate respirator... They're not too expensive and honestly that will keep you safe in a huge cloud of metal dust. Keep using the vacuum though so that your living room doesn't get covered in the dust!
Is that a laser or spot welder? From the pictures it looks like they’re using an electrode and a ground so I think it might be a spot welder. What about something like this?
My studio is in a spare bedroom with no ventilation, and this is what I use on my bench when I'm soldering and it works great:
Hmmm have you considered/tried thermoplastic?
Hello! I ordered copper solder of Amazon! I’m working with copper right now too (I’m a beginner also)! This solder works pretty well and you can barely see it and if you do have some spots that show, they buff right off and basically blend! Here’s the link:
Adornville 93% Copper Solder... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077J95YX3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I've seen some people use these, they go up to a super fine grit, I want to buy these!
Gold colored patina products for lead based solder can be pretty dangerous (you see it on antique stained glass pieces sometimes). Afaik you can send pieces off to have them patina’d but honestly just plating it as other commenters have mentioned is going to be a better bet (and will probably look more like the photo you attached).
If you’re willing to settle for copper coloring there’s a product by Novacan called Super Brite Copper Patina. I have absolutely no experience with it myself though.
If I were going to do this type of project myself I would not use lead based solder and instead pick a brass solder like this one. I know you said no jewelry solder, but this is the closest you’ll get to ready made brass solder like you’re asking for.
Like this?
You can find it at a good hardware store. It should be firly fine so you can easily wrap it around the pieces.
Amazon has it - this roll is pricey, but big enough to last the rest of your life. I found a smaller one in a blister pack at Ace, I think