STUCK: Energy sword lighting installation

Hi everyone!

First off, I'm a complete noob when it comes to electronics. I've done some research on what goes into setting up circuits for LED's, but as soon as numbers get involved i'm totally lost. Every guide or tutorial i find seems to be close to what i'm looking for, but not quite.

I have a few questions, hopefully someone can be my savior here, I've come a long way on this project and I'd hate to fall short...

1. How would I go about wiring 8 LED strips (4 for each side of the sword) to one battery pack (containing a 9v battery) and a switch?

2. Why won't the solder I'm using stick to the nodes on my strip lights? Even when it does stick, it's very weak.

3. What gauge of wire should I be using for this set-up?

If you have any concerns regarding this circuit please let me know. It's VERY possible that I've overlooked a lot of things, or that I'm doing everything wrong... Feel free to tell me how stupid I am, as long as you help me get this thing wired I don't mind one bit

Thanks in advance!!!

1. You would wire them in parallel to the battery. Add a switch between the battery and the LEDs.
http://www.oznium.com/images/series_parallel.png

Hint: The LEDs in the strip you have are already wired in parallel. Run two wires between the strips to connect separate strips in parallel.

2. The metal has oxidized. Use solder flux to clean the connection before soldering. Can also add flux after soldering when you run into trouble. A common type of solder has flux built in, highly recommended.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049774
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062715

More advice on cutting and soldering LED flex strips

3. Anything from 22 gauge to 26 gauge should be fine. The thinner wires are easier to work with, but more brittle. I used 30 gauge wrapping wire in my sword and it was a pain to work with.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049745

Thanks decade, I watched that soldering tutorial you posted in electronics shortly after I posted this. I was totally botching the soldering! thanks for the help.

No problem. You can email me if you get stuck again.
thatdecade@gmail.com