Metalsmithing part 2

This week I finished the last of 8, two hour metalsmithing classes. It was all new to me. I've never held a soldering torch or worked with some of the machinery and tools used in class before. It was great to learn a little about it and I'm thinking of ways to incorporate what I have learned into my designs.

I missed one class, but these two projects are the only ones that I managed to (almost) complete in 7 weeks. There is a lot to learn. I have new respect for metalwork. I'm definitely going to get set up to drill holes in metal. I think that one skill will open up a whole new world of possibilities for my designs. As for the soldering torch . . . maybe not quite yet.

Sue

Metalsmithing

I've started taking a metalsmithing class to further my education on techniques for my designs. I'm not sure how much of it will make it's way into my jewelry line as the equipment is mostly very expensive and some of it is a bit scary and requires having a workshop space that's not easy to burn down. However, it is very interesting.

Copper ring after my first class. The strip of gold paper was what I used to measure my finger and I was given a flat strip of copper to begin with and had to solder it with a torch.

My ring after my second class all filed, sanded and buffed.

Next week I begin a project using a coping saw to cut out sheets of metal into a design and then will be using an overlay solder technique to sandwich pieces together. I'm thinking of doing a gingko leaf design.