This is a very cool project but I find myself criticizing your soldering. Not to sound like a jerk, but whiskey tango foxtrot? Here is just one of many great soldering tutorial on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NU2ruzyc4
Not sure if they cover tinning wires, but you never apply the solder to the iron and use it to tin. If you do that, your burning away the flux from the solder core before it is effective. Instead, heat the wire, apply solder to the wire and tip to initiate heat transfer,then only apply solder to the wire. Stop the process before the solder reaches the wire insulation! If solder wicks, (enters the installation)your going to have a brittle joint.
Again, nice project. Just a little helpful (I hope) criticism.
nicholas