I'm a self taught jewelry artist and metalsmith sharing my journey one flame at a time!
When I first started using my torch back in 2010 I used it for making my own balled headpins... I've only recently started playing around with soldering some smaller objects.. such as bangles and smaller rings.
I started out with copper and copper solder which is a little harder than using sterling silver but also less expensive.
Then I moved onto some sterling bangles out of 18 gauge half hard wire and when those were successful I tried a 10 Gauge sterling silver bangle.
so far i've been successful in soldering these bracelets so I'm moving onward!
come back often to see my skills progress and what I'm making!
XO
tumbling finished pcs for hardness and shine
sawing some copper for etching
sterling headpins
before being fired into
balled headpins
after firing and a bath
in the pickle
copper bangles 16G before LOS
copper bangles after los
sterling silver bangles after solder and before forming
after forming before hammered texture and tumbled
finished sterling silver
2 - 18G and 1 - 10G Bangles
GET EXCITED!!!!
Get excited...... I'm currently waiting on my silver order from RIO so I can take a stab at doing some bezel setting.
I'm going to start out making some pendants. That doesn't freak me out as much as trying to make a ring. I ordered a few tools, a bezel pusher, roller and a burnisher. I got my bezel wire in 1/8 from an Etsy seller. I will be ordering again from them. I have another order coming from an Etsy seller which is a trio selection of Easy, Medium and Hard solder sheet.
I have some wire solder but it's very hard to work with. I think the sheet solder cut into pallions will be a better fit.
I also have quite a few Cabochons I've collected over the last few yrs. I've always known that silver smithing was a goal of mine.
I'm excited, nervous, scared...... I'll keep ya posted :)
I've been SILVERSMITHING!!!
I'm having so much fun and really enjoy the learning process!
even tho sometimes its sucks to work really hard on a piece and then have it not workout and have to scrap it.. but that's learning and at least I know I can do it again!
A few things I've made
2021
This yr I took an online soldering class to grow my skills. I also took another class on how to make a flower out of metal sheet. SO FUN!!!
I also upgraded my torch set up to an oxy/propane little smith system. I like it but I'm still learning it so I do still use my blazer torch head and disposable butane a lot. I'm taking a class this coming Jan 2022 so I can fully use my little smith!
a few pieces from this year!
