Aspiring Metalsmiths Team Blog Topic – January
Each Month a group of Metalsmiths choose a topic and we all write on the same topic and post it to our blogs. This month the topic is:
Show some of your first pieces that you made!
This was a fun topic to write about because I had to go through my old photographs to find some to use for this post. The first thing I realized is that my photography has gotten much much better, which is saying something because it is far from perfect now.
As far as the pieces go, I have come a long way in these 2 short years. I began with metal clay and simple wire wrapping in February of 2009. I love working with this medium because it reminds me of sculpting with clay which is something I have always loved doing. I have really learned a lot about finishing techniques such as polishing and filing that has improved the final product a lot. I also purchased a tumbler earlier this year which has been my favorite tool to get the small pieces of fine silver up to a perfect shine.
I am so glad I learned how to make my own earwires!
I bought my first soldering kit in March of 2010. I was sooo scared to use it. Finally for one of the design challenges on the Aspiring Metalsmiths blog I put on my big girl panties and decided to get to work. Before this, all I had done was a ring with a simple solder join. I still have this piece and remember all the work that went into it. At first it went fine, then it all went horribly wrong. I later found out my torch was MUCH to small to do such a job. Those little jelly legs were made to hand loose and move around, until I soldered it to its backplate and melted them all together. What? There are different solders that melt at different temperatures? Oh…
This piece is my first stone setting adventure. To anyone beginning… DO NOT! I REPEAT, DO NOT! use a stone with corners for your first ever attempt at setting stones. I ran into the same problem that my torch was too small, so soldering on the lotus was such a pain. I remember thinking I should give up because it was too hard. Thanks to all my metalsmith team members that kept encouraging me and giving me the tip of a larger torch! That has made such a difference.
Gotta love the background on this photo! What was I thinking?
It has been really fun going through old pieces and realizing how much I have learned in such a short amount of time. It is amazing how a few little tips, tricks and some practice can make such a big difference in quality of work as well as ease of construction! Some day I want to take a class, but until then I am happy learning from wherever I can get it!
Check out what other Metalsmiths have to say on their blogs below:
Clarity – www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com
Claire – http://brightstar109.blogspot.com
Stacy – http://formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/
Pennee – http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Brandy – http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com
Gloria – http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/
Joy – http://www.joypeckjoy.blogspot.com/
Autumn – http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com
Gayle – http://www.thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com
Sylvia – http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com
Esmeralda – http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/