Hey! Thanks for the comments. In response to the question about soldering the links...in these pieces, no. Generally, for a necklace I won't bother soldering it as I don't believe that they're subjected to as much wear/tear as a bracelet. With a bracelet or anklet, it depends on the weave and I will usually only solder the end links which are attached to the clasp and the connector ring.
I use a propane/butane mix plumbers torch rather than oxy-acetylene and I find it a little hard to get a precision flame at the moment as I've only been using this torch for a few months. I'll have to investigate different tips....