Charlie wrote:
It couldn't get much more simple, it was a straight piece of wire to a
curved bit of wire!

This is how you perceive the problem as a complete beginner.

If you accept the challenge of learning how to become really good as
soldering and other skills used in jewelry making, you might develop
different perception and a greater willingness to entertain all advice.

You did not say what guage wire you were using. We are assuming that it
is extremely fine, but either large or small, the area of contact
between the two wires is small; it is difficult to place the solder in
contact with the joint, and even heating can be tricky, especially with
the torch you are using. There are ways around these problems, and it
helps if you know the fundamentals of soldering.